A head to head to head between Van Vleuten, Vollering and Wiebes' bikes
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The old adage tells us that it's not about the bike but the rider who pilots it, and to an extent, there's truth in it, there aren't any truly bad bikes at the WorldTour level. Thanks to the industry's continual push for faster, lighter, more aero and more compliant, there are certainly some better than others, but the differences are small enough that our sport remains on a level enough playing field. As a result, we can be confident that when a rider does win, it's based on their performance on the day, not the work of scientists and wind tunnel engineers two years prior.
However, luckily for the tech nerds among us, component choice and spec can still make or break a rider's day. With that in mind, we got hands-on with the bikes of the fastest three riders at the Elite Women's Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Annemiek Van Vleuten, Demi Vollering and Lorena Wiebes, to compare everything from framesets to cassettes.
Of course, much of the tech on show here will be sponsor mandated, but the specifics of bike model choice, tyre size, chainring combination, tyre pressure, cassette size and more will come down to the rider, and it's these small differences that can make all the difference on race day.
Framesets
In order of the podium, Van Vleuten's Movistar team is sponsored by Canyon, and so she used the brand's aero bike, the Aeroad, complete with newly fixed handlebar issue. Vollering's SD-Worx is sponsored by Specialized, so used the brand's S-Works Tarmac SL7, while third place Wiebes used her team sponsor's Scott Addict RC.
Of the three, Van Vleuten's is the only true aero bike, although while both of the others are most closely associated with the best lightweight bikes, they have been given a heavy dose of aero considerations in recent years.
Wheels
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Van Vleuten's bike was equipped with Zipp 303 Firecrest wheels(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The higher-specced Zipp 353 NSW can be found on Vollering's bike(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
While Weibes used Dura-Ace C38 wheels(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Both Van Vleuten and Vollering were running Zipp wheels. Notably, Van Vleuten was actually using a lower-spec option, the 303 Firecrest rather than the 353 NSW. Meanwhile, Wiebes' bike was fitted with Shimano's new C36 wheels, launched as part of the new Dura-Ace groupset in 2021.
Tyres
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Van Vleuten's wheels were shod with Continental's new GP5000 S TR tyres(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Vollering is using the new Specialized S-Works tyres in a 26c width(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Weibes was using 28c Corsa TLR tubeless tyres(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Interestingly, all three riders had made the switch to tubeless tyres. Van Vleuten's Zipp wheels were shod with Continental's GP5000 S TR tyres, in size 28c. Vollering meanwhile was using the new S-Works tyres that we highlighted in our recent story about the new tubeless Roval wheels. These were smaller, in size 26c. Wiebes was also running 28c tyres, in the form of Vittoria's Corsa TLR Graphene 2.0 tyres.
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Groupset
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Van Vleuten's bike is fitted with a SRAM Red eTap AXS groupset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Likewise Vollering(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
While Wiebes' bike is fitted with a Dura-Ace R9270 groupset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
While SRAM failed to gain a spot on the podium in the men's race, the brand's day was redeemed with its RED eTap AXS groupset achieving a one-two in the women's race. Shimano's newest Dura-Ace groupset picked up the third spot courtesy of Wiebes.
Gear ratios
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Van Vleuten is using a 52/39 SRAM Red chainset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
and she's paired that with a 10-30 cassette(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Vollering is using a 48/35 chainset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Paired with an easier 10-33 cassette(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Weibes, meanwhile, is using a 54/40T chainset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
This is paired with a 10-34 cassette(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
This is where things get a little personal, and gives us an insight into the preferences of the riders and how they planned to tackle the day. Van Vleuten's preference is clearly that of lower cadence and higher torque, with the 52/39 chainset being paired with a 10-30 cassette. Vollering, meanwhile, goes entirely the other way with a 48/35 chainset paired with a 10-33 chainset. Wiebes' choice lends itself to maximum range, ideal for a sprinter who needs to get over climbs. Her 54/40 chainset is the biggest of the trio, while the 10-34 cassette should provide an easy enough gear to spin up the steeper slopes.
Brakes
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Van Vleuten uses SRAM's hydraulic disc brakes(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
...as does Vollering(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
However Wiebes' bike is equipped with Shimano's new Dura-Ace brakes(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
As has become the norm in recent years, all of the three Dutchwomen were using disc brakes, and as per the groupsets, it was SRAM for both Van Vleuten and Vollering, and Shimano for Wiebes.
Cockpits
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Van Vleuten's cockpit is the Canyon CP0015 'pro-only' version with a 80mm stem and 37cm width(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Vollering has eschewed aero options in favour of this classic alloy bar from Zipp(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Wiebes, meanwhile, uses Syncros' Creston IC bar(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
All three of these bikes offer an element of cockpit integration. Van Vleuten's Canyon was fitted with the three-piece integrated cockpit that offers adjustable width - she had it at its narrowest setting at just 37cm wide. Vollering's S-Works Tarmac eschews the standard-issue Roval aero handlebars in favour of a more traditional bar from Zipp, the alloy Zipp SL80. Wiebes' cockpit is the Syncros Creston IC bar, which comes fitted to the Scott Addict RC.
Notes
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Van Vleuten's notes a mix of numbers, letters and symbols written onto tape with different pens(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Vollering's notes are more easy to comprehend(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
While Wiebes' notes are kept super simple(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Taped onto almost all riders' stems these days, you'll find notes to explain what's in store that day: when the climbs are, where the feed stations are, and so on. Each team has their own method for these notes. Some are printed, while others are handwritten. Some are taped into place, while others use labels. And some are easy, while others use symbols and a series of codes that we can almost never decrypt.
Van Vleuten's notes take a simple approach of hand-writing the note onto some tape, however, the notes themselves are a little more complex, we believe the numbers are counting down to the finish, although the order is a little mixed. The shapes usually resemble climbs, cobbles or other, and we believe the letters are shorthand for the name of the sector - for example, BB would be Bosberg, and BD would be Berendries.
Vollering's notes are a little more straightforward to read. A symbol for cobble or climb, a number for when it arrives in the race, and the word explaining which sector or climb it is. These were hand-written onto paper and then taped into place.
Wiebes' notes were also handwritten on paper and taped into place, and they represent minimalism at its finest. A number for how far into the race the important feature occurs, and a symbol for climbs and cobbled sectors. The only additions to this are an exclamation mark to highlight the Berendries and the letter H next to the cobbled sectors of Holleweg and Haaghoek.
Computers
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Van Vleuten's Garmin Edge 1030 Plus is held in place using this proprietary Canyon mount(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
This Barfly mount houses Vollering's Garmin Edge 530 computer(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Meanwhile, a K-Edge out-front mount houses Wiebes' Wahoo Elemnt Bolt(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Van Vleuten's computer had been removed by the time we got our hands on the bike, but the proprietary Canyon out-front mount would usually be fitted with a Garmin Edge 1030 Plus computer. Vollering, meanwhile, was using the Edge 530, while Wiebes is the odd one out in this regard, using the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.
Saddle
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Van Vleuten's using the Fizik Vento Argo(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Vollering used the S-Works Power with Mimic(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
and finally, Wiebes used the Pro Stealth(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Van Vleuten has opted for the Fizik Vento Argo saddle with braided carbon rails. Wiebes is using the Pro Stealth, while Vollering is the only one using a saddle specifically designed for women, in the S-Works Power Pro with Mimic.
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
