Duct tape aero transponder hack spotted on Ineos bikes at Vuelta a España

transponder mount made of duct tape
(Image credit: Chris Auld: CAuldPhoto)

The pro peloton is in many respects a rolling bicycle showroom, and a high end one at that. A perspiring, chaotic Mayfair Lamborghini dealership fuelled by carbohydrates rather than caviar. More often than not the pro's bikes, as well as being ultra-desirable in themselves, also feature some ultra-premium, super-limited accessories. Ineos Grenadiers, formerly Team Sky, pioneered the idea of marginal gains, and have been at the vanguard of niche accessories for years. Lately, we've seen them using bespoke 3D-printed titanium computer mounts at the Tour de France, but that doesn't mean all of their innovations are polished and expensive. 

At the Vuelta a España we've spotted the Ineos team mechanics bodging the race timing transponders at the very bottom of the fork with black duct tape. The juxtaposition of this clearly homemade solution directly next to a £1,000 Tactic hub on a Princeton Carbonworks Alta wheel is nothing short of jarring.

Will Jones
Senior Tech Writer

Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He’s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He’s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn’t ever ride indoors he’s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.