Two days at full throttle: Pinarello Q36.5 continues to push the limits of speed at the Tour de France
50.91 km/h per 1.400 meters elevation gain. That was yesterday's average speed — officially the fastest road stage in Tour de France history.
49.09 km/h per 1.800 meters elevation gain. Today, the peloton once again raced at an extraordinary pace, confirming that this year's Tour continues to redefine the limits of modern road cycling.
Two consecutive stages at such blistering speeds have placed an even greater emphasis on one key factor: aerodynamics.
With cooler temperatures replacing the extreme heat experienced earlier this week, the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team opted for the Q36.5 Dottore Pro Race Suit — the most aerodynamic race suit in the Q36.5 collection, specifically developed to maximise efficiency when every watt counts. At speeds consistently exceeding 50 km/h, minimising drag becomes a decisive performance factor, making the Dottore Pro Race Suit the natural choice for today's conditions.
The same race suit worn by the team's riders is now commercially available in the official Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team colours through the Q36.5 online store, allowing cyclists to experience the very same technology used in competition by the team's athletes.
From kilometre zero, the speed made every move incredibly demanding. Xabier Azparren was among the most aggressive riders during the opening phase, repeatedly trying to establish the day's breakaway.
"Everyone wanted to be in the break today, but at these speeds every acceleration costs so much more. You have to produce huge power just to stay in contention, and that's exactly when aerodynamics become incredibly important. You feel every kilometre per hour."
Later in the stage, Brent Van Moer produced another selfless performance, investing enormous energy to guide Fred Wright through the final kilometres before the Briton crossed the line in 12th place after another high-speed sprint finish.
"The run-in to the finish was incredibly fast. Positioning the sprinters and protecting your team-mates at these speeds demands absolute commitment. When you're racing like this, anything that helps reduce drag and save energy can make a real difference in the finale."
Tomorrow the Tour de France heads into more selective terrain, with a demanding stage expected to favour attackers while providing another important test for the general classification contenders.
After Stage 12, Tom Pidcock remains firmly inside the Top 10 of the general classification as the race moves ever closer to the decisive mountain stages.
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Race Sharp at 50 km/h: Pidcock takes stage podium, Combativity Award and climbs to fourth overall
Two days at full throttle: Pinarello Q36.5 continues to push the limits of speed at the Tour de France
Chris Harper to miss Stage 11 following yesterday’s crash
