XDS-Astana's team time trial at Paris-Nice featured a unique twist with riders wearing different colored gloves and overshoes. This idea emerged from performance engineer Alex Dowsett, aimed at aiding rider identification while rejoining the pack after taking turns. Dowsett, a retired time trial specialist, pointed out that the difficulty in recognizing teammates due to similar uniforms could lead to miscoordination. Although the initiative does not provide significant aerodynamic benefits, it aligns with the concept of marginal gains and enhances team cohesion during competitions.
XDS-Astana introduced a color-coded system for their team time trial, allowing riders to easily identify each other using distinctive colors on gloves and overshoes.
Alex Dowsett shared that the main challenge in team time trials is uniform appearance, which makes it harder for riders to slot back into formation after a turn.
Dowsett's initiative added a touch of creativity to the team’s kit while providing a practical solution to a common problem in time trial racing.
The implementation of the colorful gloves and overshoes reflects the team's innovative approach to enhancing performance through subtle, yet effective, modifications.
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