Global bike and component shortages force WorldTour teams to be frugal with equipment

PONTIVY FRANCE JUNE 28 Handlebars Team Groupama FDJ at start during the 108th Tour de France 2021 Stage 3 a 1829km stage from Lorient to Pontivy Detail view LeTour TDF2021 on June 28 2021 in Pontivy France Photo by Chris GraythenGetty Images
(Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

The global shortage of bikes and components has forced consumers to wait far longer than usual to receive their new bikes and favourite brands. Now the supply chain headaches and lack of product are also hitting some WorldTour teams, delaying the arrival of their new 2022 bikes and forcing them to be far more frugal with their 2021 equipment.  

According to the French L’Equipe newspaper and other recent reports, some teams struggled to even service their bikes as they once did in the final months of the season. Despite ordering their 2022 bikes months in advance and have special access to products from their sponsors, some riders will begin their winter training for 2022 on their old bikes.    

Stephen Farrand
Head of News

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters, Shift Active Media, and CyclingWeekly, among other publications.