Thomas Voeckler rides a BH Ultralight EVO with a mix of Shimano, FSA, Vision, Prologo, Hutchinson and Look components (Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
Voeckler likes a bit more padding in his Prologo Scratch Pro saddle. His seat height is 73.8 centimeters (Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
Yet another example of a mechanic's pride in his work(Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
The Frenchman runs his bar high and his levers low. He uses a 40cm bar, a 12cm stem and his reach from tip of saddle to the center of his bar top is 55.5 centimeters (Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
A Shimano Di2 climbing switch and Polar computer mount keep shifting and vital information handy(Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
To keep the front derailleur from slipping, Direct Energie mechanics put a small piece of emory cloth between the chain catcher and the frame's hanger(Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
Voeckler's name sticker requires no national flag, he's a Frenchman and rates as a national hero thanks to his attacking style(Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
According to his mechanic, the decision to run only one bottle cage is entirely up to Voeckler and he does so all the time (Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
FSA's K-Force Light crank forms the foundation of Voeckler's transmission. He uses 172.5mm crank arms and 54/39 chainrings. A close look at his Dura-Ace rear derailleur will reveal FSA derailleur pulleys. For Stage 2, the Frenchman ran an 11-23 cassette(Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
Thomas Voeckler's BH Ultralight EVO lined up in front of the team bus(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
The calm before Voeckler's storm of attacks ahead of Stage 2 (Image credit: Nick Legan / Immediate Media))
Thomas Voeckler is regarded as a French national hero thanks to his scrappy, attacking style. With puffed out cheeks and a laboured pedal stroke, the Direct Energie rider has been a fan favourite ever since his gutsy, 10-day defence of the yellow jersey in the 2004 Tour de France. Since then he has continued to animate races, especially the Tour, much to the chagrin of competitors and the adoration of his fans.
Voeckler rides a BH Ultralight EVO with Dura-Ace derailleurs and Di2 levers, FSA cockpit, brakes and cranks, a Prologo saddle, Vision Metron 40 wheels, Hutchinson tires, and Look pedals.
According to Direct Energie mechanic Arnaud Labbe, there are several details specific to Voeckler. The most obvious is the installation of only one water bottle cage. Voeckler never uses two. It's a personal preference and one that is shared by very few in the peloton.
Voeckler also uses a custom Prologo Scratch Pro saddle, with a bit more padding than the stock model. He uses Prologo's Nack carbon rails. Prologo also provides the coordinating bar tape, a nice rubbery tape excellent for the wet days in the Tour's opening stages in Normandy.
The Frenchman also uses FSA derailleur pulleys to save a watt or two. To keep the front derailleur secure, look closely to find a small piece of emory cloth installed between the chain catcher and frame hanger.
With one ultimately unsuccessful attack under his belt on Stage 3, it's hard to imagine that we've seen the last of the popular Frenchman in this year's Tour.
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