Former world under 23 time trial champion and Tour de France stage winner Kurt Asle Arvesen has been a professional rider since 1998, but in that time he’s seen nothing like the setup at Team Sky.
“The entire program around this team is extremely well adapted. I’ve certainly never encountered anything like it before,” the 34 year old said to Nettavisen.
“The riders still must pedal the bike, but I think this will be cycling with very different conditions than anyone else has had before.”
Arvesen and the rest of the team had their first meeting this week, travelling to Manchester and getting acquainted with the setup. Each rider received a Mac laptop and an iPhone, have been measured up for their clothing and have been learning about how the team will be run.
An example of the attention to detail is the team’s collaboration with the McLaren Formula One team. Apart from helping design the team buses, the company has been using its wind tunnel in Woking in order to optimise the Pinarello bikes and the riders’ positions.
“The tests are mainly to help us to move as quickly as possible, to encounter the least possible air resistance and to be as efficient as possible,” said Arvesen. “Most teams test their equipment in the wind tunnel, but this is an upgrade compared to our competitors.”
The Australian ex-pro Scott Sunderland has played an important role in helping build the team structure and he told Nettavisen more about that partnership.
“British Cycling had earlier worked with McLaren in order to equip its track riders,” he said. “We will also have a degree of cooperation with them. It is based on testing in the wind tunnel and the use of their engineers to develop fast bicycles and make the equipment more aerodynamic.
“It is necessary to test new products…the best way to figure it out is by testing it.”
Arvesen was part of the CSC/Saxo Bank setup for six years. It is regarded as one of the best-organised teams in the business, but he is clearly impressed by where he is now. He indicates that this has moved things to a new level.
“It’s perfectionism reaching into all areas,” he enthused. “The riders must still ride the bike, but everything around it is incredibly well prepared,” he stated.