André Greipel (Lotto-Soudal) may no longer be the big German at this year's Tour de France, as that title goes to four-stage-winner Marcel Kittel (Quick Step). But André "the Gorilla" Greipel is still battling for stage wins in France, and here is a look at the big man's bike.
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Greipel was the German national road champion until just before this year's Tour de France, when Marcus Burghardt took over the mantle. As such, Greipel is no longer racing with the full German colors on his Ridley Noah SL.
At the Tour, Greipel has a plain black Noah SL with his Gorilla graphics in a few spots. Ridley's aero bike is notable for its hyper-stiff ride and its unique split fork blades, which the company claims reduce air drag on the front wheel.
Aside from an immaculately clean drivetrain and über-high-end Campagnolo Super Record EPS components and Bora Ultra wheels, there are a few remarkable pieces on Greipel's bike.
The German sprinter has changed up his cockpit slightly this year, going from Deda's oversized but round 35mm handlebar to the Italian company's Superzero aero bar. And while his stem remains long, Greipel has gone down to a 40cm bar from 42, accordingly to a Lotto-Soudal mechanic.
Lizard Skins provides the grip, not just on the bars but inside the water-bottle cages too, where little patches of DSP tape provide traction to prevent bottles from ejecting on rough roads.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at Greipel's Ridley Noah SL bike, and make sure to visit and be sure to visit Cyclingnews.com for complete coverage of the 2017 Tour de France.
