Groupama-FDJ unveiled a new time trial machine for 2020 on stage four of Paris-Nice.
The French WorldTeam brought out the new Lappierre disc machine for the 15.1km test around Saint-Amand-Montrond in central France, with the bike helping the squad take a top-10 result.
Groupama revealed on Twitter that stage four was the first outing for the new Lapierre Aerostorm disc.
The team worked Belgian aerodynamics expert Bert Blocken, from the Eindhoven University of Technology to maximise the time gains for their riders in the TTs.
Groupama said on Twitter: “Today is the first outing of our new time trial bike, the Lapierre Aerostorm Disc.
“The machine, which attracts many curious people, will be used by Stefan Küng and Thibaut Pinot.”
Complete with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, including the Dura-Ace aero wheels, the team were running the machine in all black without the usual branding.
The bike carried Swiss time trial specialist Stefan Küng to eighth place on the stage, 26 seconds behind winner Søren Kragh Ansdersen, on a course more suited to a punchy rider than the pure tester.
Küng said: “I took time on the fastest part, but not enough.
When you reach the finish, the first thought that comes to you is that you would like to go back to the course and save less on the pedal. I could do better.
“It's a shame because the bike is extraordinary.”
Pinot put in a less impressive performance however, finishing 26th on the stage and losing time to his general classification rivals.
The French Grand Tour hopeful now sits 14th overall, 1-30 down on race leader Max Schachmann (Bora-Hansgrohe).
>>> Sam Bennett penalised after barging Nairo Quintana at Paris-Nice
Earlier this week, CCC Team shared detailed pictures of Ilnur Zakarin’s striking Giant Trinity time trial bike for the 2020 season, complete with Cadex aero wheels.
Zakarin has switched to CCC from Katusha-Alpecin as he continues to chase his general classification dreams.
-
-
Wout van Aert wins Belgian road race title, Evenepoel third, on weekend of National Championships
All the action from this weekend's national championships
By Jonny Long •
-
Police shoot driver who reportedly drove into group of riders during bike race
Six riders were transported to hospital, four in critical condition
By Jonny Long •
-
Marc Madiot admits he should've taken Thibaut Pinot out of racing earlier in 2020
Pinot has been suffering from back problems which were made worse at last year's Tour de France
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Arnaud Démare sprints to stage two victory in horrific conditions at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021
Arnaud Démare took stage two victory in awful weather conditions to make it two wins from two stages after Miles Scotson took the opening day.
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Miles Scotson holds on despite crashing to take stage one of Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021
Miles Scotson took stage one of the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana 2021 on his own ahead of the peloton led in by John Degenkolb despite crashing in the final five kilometres
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'I started to cry on the bike': 21-year-old rising star explains his decision to quit pro cycling
French development rider Théo Nonnez has announced that he will be retiring from professional cycling so that he can be mentally happy
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Groupama-FDJ pull out of Scheldeprijs 2021 after Covid-19 positive
Groupama-FDJ have had to pull out from racing at the Belgian one-day race of Scheldeprijs due to a positive Coronavirus test within the team
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Jake Stewart ruled out of Tour of Flanders due to hand fracture caused by collision with Nacer Bouhanni
The British rider was forced towards the barriers by the French rider who has since apologised
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
'I admit my mistake to change course, but there is nothing intentional': Nacer Bouhanni apologises to Jake Stewart after irregular sprint
Nacer Bouhanni has apologised to British rider Jake Stewart after shoving him into the barriers at the Cholet-Pays de la Loire on Sunday (March 28).
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Five things we learned from Paris-Nice 2021
Talking points from a memorable edition of Paris-Nice
By Stephen Puddicombe •
