{"id":171231,"date":"2018-11-02T10:27:43","date_gmt":"2018-11-02T10:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=171231"},"modified":"2018-11-02T14:38:48","modified_gmt":"2018-11-02T14:38:48","slug":"interview-a-peek-into-the-pro-peloton-with-the-head-mechanic-for-bora-hansgrohe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2018\/11\/02\/interview-a-peek-into-the-pro-peloton-with-the-head-mechanic-for-bora-hansgrohe\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW: A Peek into the Pro Peloton with the Head Mechanic for BORA-hansgrohe"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2018 season came to a conclusion and the riders, as well as their support staff, can finally enjoy some time off. We used the opportunity to reach out to Gerd Kodanik and the BORA hansgrohe\u2019s head mechanic was kind enough to reveal what the life behind the scenes of pro cycling is really like.<\/strong>
\n<\/p>\n

Can you tell us about your beginnings as a pro bike mechanic? How did it all started for you?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I was a rider until the Junior category. Then I decided to join the army. Right after, I wanted to start something with cycling again so I started working as a team mechanic.<\/p>\n

We guess that BORA-hansgrohe was not your first team in pro cycling?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I started with the Kalev Chocolate team which raced at continental level. In 2012, I joined the Pro-Continental team Champion-Systems and since 2013 until today, I work with Ralph Denk\u2019s teams; NetApp-Endura, BORA-Argon18, and then BORA-hansgrohe at the World Tour level.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
At the races \u00a9 BORA – hansgrohe \/ VeloImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u2019s get right to the meat of this topic. The night before a race, what are the team mechanic\u2019s must-dos and plans? The crucial parts of the work?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We start by cleaning the bikes first. During this, we also control everything from brake pads to tyres, chains, etc. We change everything necessary and, in the end, we also double check the batteries for the shifting systems. Sometimes, this can last up until midnight, depending on how far the previous finish was from the hotel. But if there was a major issue and we need to build a new bike for somebody, we have to work even longer.<\/p>\n

What does the morning before the race look like for your team and yourself?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There are a lot of things to do but, actually, we do most of them the evening before. In the morning, we essentially put the bikes out of the truck, pump the tyres to the pressure decided for that day\u2019s race, and put the bikes on the roof of the team\u2019s cars.<\/p>\n

At the start, we must check if everything is ready, things like the power meters, etc.<\/p>\n

What would you say is the biggest challenge you have to deal with during the race?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I would not say that my job is a \u2018big challenge\u2019 per say, but I always need to follow the race super closely in order to be ready for flat tyres, crashes, and so on. Because then it\u2019s really important to be fast. I guess that\u2019s the big challenge!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Peter Sagan of BORA – hansgrohe during the Tour de France, Stage 10, Annecy – le Grand Bornand\u00a0 on July 17th, 2018\u00a0 \u00a9 Profimedia, AFP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What are the top 3 nightmares for bike mechanics during the race?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Definitely it is something like changing three frames after a big crash in rainy conditions!<\/p>\n

But seriously, I would say that building a new bike overnight is really challenging. Sometimes, when riders get new bikes, or they change the model for some reason, it\u2019s also a lot of work to make them feel comfortable on it.<\/p>\n

Tyre punctures are the eternal question for amateurs. Why is there so many of them? As amateurs, we do not experience them as much as pro cyclists (yet we do!). Do you have a personal solution to this?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

To be honest, these days we don\u2019t suffer so many punctures. The products improved a lot and we use many different tyres for different challenges, like for TT or the cobbles. You may see a few punctures during a race on TV, but they are usually all from cyclists of different teams.<\/p>\n

Which is the hardest Grand Tour for you and your team? Which is the nicest one?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The Tour de France is the hardest because of the pressure. It\u2019s the most important race for the team, for its sponsors. There is A LOT of media attention, so that\u2019s really stressful for everybody.<\/p>\n

The Vuelta is nice. It\u2019s a relaxed atmosphere there and you can enjoy more of your work and the race.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Gerd Kodanik hard at work. \u00a9 BORA – hansgrohe \/ VeloImages<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Your favourite monument?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Milano-Sanremo, because the final is always special. You never know if there will be an attack in the finale or a sprint finish.<\/p>\n

The hardest one to manage?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Of course it\u2019s Paris-Roubaix, already in the initial preparations. We have special Roubaix bikes there from Specialized, different tyres and all. We test the set-up for the race already with some riders half a year before! When the preparations are done, at a race like Roubaix you normally have a lot to do. There are many punctures, crashes, sometimes a rider will require a bike change. This race is hard even for the cars! It is really a demanding day for everybody.<\/p>\n

Tech-wise, what do you think will be the next big things in cycling. For both the pros and amateurs.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know what\u2019s coming up in the future, but at the moment disc brakes are a really big change in our sport. We already started the transition this season, in 2019, everybody in our team will be on disc brakes.<\/p>\n

Your top 3 advices on how to properly maintain a bike at home?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Clean your bike regularly.
\nCheck brake pads often enough.
\nAlso check your tyres.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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