Three of these shoes aren’t available to the public. We’re not sure about the fourth
Following suit from Giro’s lace-up shoe, the Empire, Bontrager has the Classique, which isn’t officially part of the line yet
This Shimano shoe is not yet public. It appears to be an R321 — a follow-up to the current R320
This is Shimano’s current R320 shoe
Marco Albasini looks to have a fairly wide foot, given the strap placement
This is a Diadora Vortex-Pro Movistar Limited Edition shoe
This is a Diadora Vortex-Pro Movistar Limited Edition shoe cover. It’s unclear what model of two-dial shoe is underneath
Sometimes shoe covers are worn for aero benefits, sometimes for rain protection, and sometimes to cover up shoes that are not sponsor-correct
Bont shoes are popular in the Tour de France peloton. World champion Rui Costa is a fan
AG2R-La Mondiale riders use a mix of shoes, from sponsor Northwave and the smaller Sierra brand
Sierra is a small French company that began making custom rollerblade boots in 1994 before moving into cycling
Bont has a whole range of shoes, but the Zero+ seems to be the most common among pros
Specialized has been trying to get world TT champion Tony Martin on its shoes for a while, but the German loves his Sidis
Sidi is also Peter Sagan’s footwear of choice
Alberto Contador wears Specialized S-Works shoes with custom graphics
A closer look at Contador’s personal graphics
André Griepel’s gorilla Gaernes
Frank Schleck has what look to be roughly modified Bontrager shoes. Bontrager declined to comment on them
These are likely prototypes for a next-edition Bontrager XXX LE shoe
Jérémy Roy’s personalized Fizik shoes
A few Tour pros ride with the Sidi adjustment tabs flipped open, so they can tighten or loosen on the fly
Another example of open-tab Sidis
Sylvain Chavanel of IAM Cycling rides blank Specialized S-Works shoes
Other IAM Cycling riders use Northwave (Italian) or Suplest (Swiss) shoes
The Swiss Suplest brand makes a variety of shoes, using various fasteners from A-Top dials (think Boa) to Velcro straps to ratchets
No Tour shoe gallery would be complete without a shot of Adam Hansen’s handmade jobs
Hansen has a few different pairs of carbon slippers, which feature a single adjustment dial on the sole
While you will never see a rider at the Tour de France on a different brand of bicycle from his teammates, shoes are a different matter. Since fit is such an individualized matter, and comfort at the foot-to-pedal junction is essential, teams will occasionally let riders wear something besides what the team sponsor provides.
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The other critical touchpoint of course is the saddle; we have shown a few examples of riders on Selle Italia-sponsored teams using Specialized, or Specialized-sponsored riders using Fizik. With shoes and saddles there isn’t a universal solution; it’s all about what fits each rider best.
Here, we take a look at some of the unique and interesting shoes on the feet of the Tour de France peloton.
In addition to non-sponsor correct shoes or special-graphic editions, we also spotted at least three models that are not yet available. Bontrager’s lace-up shoe, believed to be called the Classique, made an appearance, as did what looks to be the successor to Shimano’s R320 shoe. Perhaps to be called the R321, the Shimano shoe features two Velcro straps and a ratcheting strap with the opposite orientation to that of the R320. True to Shimano’s form, the company declined to comment on the shoe. “Shimano is constantly working to improve its product,” said Shimano spokesman Nick Legan. “Shimano athletes often test prototypes in competition as a part of the development process.”
Most of the Trek Factory Racing riders on using Bontrager’s new XXX shoe. But at least one rider is on what looks to be a new version of the XXX LE shoe, a three-Velcro-strap model. As with Shimano, Bontrager declined to divulge any details.
These are likely prototypes for a next-edition bontrager xxx le shoe: these are likely prototypes for a next-edition bontrager xxx le shoeBen Delaney / Future Publishing
Next-edition Bontrager XXX LE shoes?
“We race to win. We race to learn. New product comes out of that,” said Bontrager marketing spokesman Sam Foos. “These shoes are not final, and we have no timeline to publish as of yet.”
Trek’s Frank Scheck is racing in some oddly modified Bontrager shoes, which Foos declined to explain, beyond saying that “it is a long story”.
Finally, Sierra custom carbon shoes popped up on a couple of AG2R-La Mondiale riders. Frenchman Jean-Stephan Sierra began making rollerblade boots back in 1994, and later moved into cycling footwear. His custom rollerblade boots sell for €750, and the cycling shoes go for €510.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at these special shoes.
Sylvain chavanel of iam cycling rides blank specialized s-works shoes: sylvain chavanel of iam cycling rides blank specialized s-works shoesBen Delaney / Future Publishing
