Ahead of the Paris-Roubaix, Van Rysel invited us to meet the Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale team, and check out the RCR-F – the brand's all-new aero road bike.
We were treated to the setup secrets from the team mechanics, detailing how they set their race bikes up for the savage cobbles.
We also spoke to team DS Luke Rowe about how the bikes have changed through his 13-year career.
Introducing the Van Rysel RCR-F
Decathlon–AG2R La Mondiale riders have a choice between two bikes for their road races – the Van Rysel RCR and its faster big brother, the RCR-F.
The RCR F frameset comes with a specially developed one-piece carbon cockpit. The drops of the bar section have been sculpted to provide a small claimed aero saving, but they also provide a slightly more ergonomic feel when sprinting.
A full Dura-Ace R9200 Di2 groupset takes care of the shifting and the braking. Van Rysel has opted for a 52/36T power crankset.
A wide 11-34T cassette at the back provides plenty of gears for hillier terrain.
SwissSide worked in collaboration with Van Rysel on the bike’s design, so the Hadron ULT 625 wheels pair well.
While our bike was set up with a 26mm Continental GP5000 Aero tyre on the front wheel, stock bikes will ship with a pair of the standard 28mm GP5000 S TR tyres.
Fizik, meanwhile, provides the finishing kit, with an Argo Vento 140mm saddle and Microtex Tacky bar tape.
