Why don't team members all ride the same bike at the Olympics?

Why isn’t there a standard road and time trial bike used by each nation?

Britain's Elizabeth Deignan (C) competes during the women's cycling road race at the Fuji International Speedway in Oyama, Japan, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 25, 2021. (Photo by Michael Steele / POOL / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL STEELE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Watch any WorldTour road race and every member of a pro team will be wearing the same kit and riding the same bike, or at least a small selection of top spec models from the same brand.

At the Paris Olympics, you’ll be able to spot cyclists from the same country by their identical clothing; Castelli is a long-time partner of the Italian cycling team, for example, and Czech brand Kalas supplies British Cycling’s team clothing.

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