Tour de France bikes: Romain Bardet’s custom-painted Factor O2 gallery

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-312797 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383" width="295" height="383" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="A number three on Bardet's number plate denotes the three stage victories at the Tour de France for the Frenchman" title="dsc_0310-1532426570723-e7nnmz9urlzy-9d3d276" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> A number three on Bardet’s number plate denotes the three stage victories at the Tour de France for the Frenchman Josh Evans/Immediate Media

After two consecutive podium finishes at the past two editions of the Tour de France , Romain Bardet ( AG2R La Mondiale ) returns in 2018 with the weight of a nation on his shoulders to repeat the same feat.

Tour de France bikes: Dan Martin’s Colnago V2-R gallery Tour de France bikes: Greg Van Avermaet’s custom-painted BMC Teammachine gallery AG2R La Mondiale are racing aboard Factor bikes for a second season after switching from Focus framesets for the start of 2017. Last year, Bardet was issued with a custom-painted blue and white frameset for the French Grand Tour but this year is racing on a black and silver frameset.

Along the top tube, a quote ‘Take the risk or lose the chance’ is written and Bardet’s initials sit at the head of the top tube, both of which are design features taken from last year’s bike.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-312831 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Bardet's custom bike sat on the roof of his team car for most of the opening stages, with Bardet opting for the aero-focused Factor ONE earlier in the race" title="dsc_0352-1532426570727-x3z6hrursu5e-4eac4cb" data-source-name="Josh Evans/Immediate Media"> Bardet’s custom bike sat on the roof of his team car for most of the opening stages, with Bardet opting for the aero-focused Factor ONE earlier in the race Josh Evans/Immediate Media Added to the design for 2018 is a stencilled design of Vercingetorix, king of the Arverni tribe on the head tube cluster and a separate design of Puy de Dome on the bottom of the down tube, both celebrating Bardet’s home region of Auvergne.

AG2R La Mondiale is one of the three teams ceramic bearings specialists CeramicSpeed partner with at the Tour de France, with Bardet’s headset and bottom bracket using CeramicSpeed bearings.

CeramicSpeed’s eye-catching OSPW (over-sized pulley wheel) rear derailleur upgrade system is also used on AG2R La Mondiale’s bikes with the company issuing Bardet with a special edition, glittery silver ‘Victory Edition’ version of the component.

Mavic has also produced a special set of Cosmic Ultimate Tubular TdF wheels, which feature artwork around the carbon rim celebrating the route of the 2018 Tour de France.

Black Inc provides Bardet with his seatpost, handlebar tape and integrated carbon cockpit system.

Click or swipe through the gallery above for a closer look at Romain Bardet’s special Factor O2.

Factor O2 full specification Frameset: Factor O2 in custom finish for Romain Bardet Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 with CeramicSpeed OSPW system ‘Victory Edition’ Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100, 11-30 Chain: Shimano Ultegra Crankset: SRM Shimano 9000, 53/39 chainrings, 172.5mm cranks Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeed Wheelset: Mavic Cosmic Ultimate Tubular TdF Tyres: Continental Competition ALX, 25mm tubular Handlebars/stem: Black Inc integrated carbon, 400mm x 135mm Headset: CeramicSpeed Tape/grips: Black Inc Pedals: Look Keo Blade Carbon/Look Keo Blade Carbon Tour de France edition Saddle: Fizik Arione Seatpost: Black Inc Factor O2 Bottle cages: Elite Vico Carbon Computer: SRM PC-8 (not photographed) Other accessories: K-Edge chain catcher, Aivee number plate mounting bracket Factor O2 critical measurements Rider height: 1.84m Seat height from bottom bracket (centre to top): 750mm Saddle nose to handlebars (at stem): 595mm