Giant-Alpecin to wear protective shorts at Tour de France
No one wants to fall off their bike, and for many even talk of “touching down” is taboo. However, being prepared is no bad thing….

Photo: © CorVos / Team Giant-Alpecin
In the Tour de France, crashing and the associated injuries are an unfortunate reality. Especially, in the first week's flat stages and on the cobbles of this year's stage four.
Team Giant-Alpecin, in collaboration with Royal DSM (a global life sciences and materials sciences company), have announced that the team will be wearing new protective shorts in the Tour de France.
Protective lycra cycling shorts are not unheard of, in fact Scott released its own set of gravel rash avoiding clothing at the end of 2014.
Team Giant-Alpecin's bibshorts feature Royal DSM’s new fabric which contains Dyneema which is said to offer greater protection to a rider’s thighs. The CEO of Team Giant-Alpecin, Iwan Spekenbrink, claims “The protection and safety offered by incorporating Dyneema helps substantially in the reduction of wounds and injuries of the riders which give a positive impact on their performance.”
Although Marcel Kittel won't be involved in the sprints, John Degenkolb and his lead-out train can sprint safe in the knowledge that when the unfortunate inevitably happens they might hold up a bit better than others.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Josh Charlton wins individual pursuit gold at European Track Championships
Great Britain on nine medals ahead of the closing weekend
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Life in squares: the addictive and adventurous cycling challenge you've never heard of
Using GPS to tick off squares on a map has transformed exploring into an addictive, area-collecting adventure. James Shrubsall investigates the appeal of tiling
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Lapierre to return to the WordTour with Picnic PostNL
French bike brand to return to cycling’s top level with Dutch WordTour team after 22 year long partnership with Groupama-FDJ ended in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Leo Hayter leaves DSM Development Team early to join Hagens Berman Axeon
British U23 time trial champion moves to American development squad after split opinion over future
By Adam Becket Published
-