{"id":191325,"date":"2022-12-15T12:42:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-15T12:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=191325"},"modified":"2022-12-15T14:34:47","modified_gmt":"2022-12-15T14:34:47","slug":"matt-stephens-interview-world-tour-general-manager-on-the-importance-of-team-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2022\/12\/15\/matt-stephens-interview-world-tour-general-manager-on-the-importance-of-team-cars\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Stephens Interview: General Manager of a World-Tour Level Team on the Importance Of Team Cars"},"content":{"rendered":"

The team car is an indispensable mobile headquarters for any pro cycling team. Matt Stephens got hold of the \u0160koda Superb iV, belonging to the Canyon\/\/SRAM Women\u2019s World Tour team, to take a close look at all the special furnishings and additions it must fit in in order to be a full team player during the races.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Among other things, the dashboard has a phone holder and a screen with VeloViewer that can also turn into a television \u2013 feeling that James Bond vibe yet? There is also a two-way radio, and more space to fit front and rear bike wheels, an open toolkit, lubrication gear, a cool box or the riders\u2019 wet bag. Ronny Lauke, the General Manager of Canyon\/\/SRAM Racing, let Matt on to more insider knowledge of exactly what role the team car plays in the whole enterprise that is pro cycling.<\/p>\n

How important is the \u0160koda Superb iV team car within the overall structure of the Canyon\/\/SRAM team?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In my opinion, you can\u2019t highlight it enough because it is the centre of all operations and information in a bike race. Like you might see in football or basketball with the coaches\u2019 bench, where all information is going out to the riders. So, observations from the Sports Director<\/a> about what is happening in the race, what the next steps should be for the athletes. We also carry all the drinks and spare equipment, the car is the heart of the cycling team at a bike race for sure.<\/p>\n

\"Matt<\/a>
The team car is an indispensable mobile headquarters for any pro cycling team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I like that, it\u2019s a really good analogy, the \u2018coaches\u2019 bench\u2019 and the \u2018heart of the team\u2019. So, the car is a supply and a communications hub in essence?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, it is, definitely.<\/p>\n

Can you describe to me the specific functions of the team car in a race?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Usually, we have a driver, who will normally be the second Sports Director, who is focusing on everything that\u2019s happening on the road, like other team cars, spectators, and riders in the convoy. Then, in the co-driver\u2019s seat, we have the first Sports Director who focuses on the tactics, who will get all the information we need from things like the TV, VeloViewer, weather updates, wind directions. Then, in the rear, we have the mechanic who also has an important role, in addition to their regular one, as they will write down the numbers of riders in the breakaways along with the second Sports Director so they can double-check information between them. So, all of the technical apparatus available to us is in the front of the car.<\/p>\n

In the second row, we have all the equipment, tools and parts we need with the mechanic, then in the boot, we have drinks, food and spare clothing for any type of weather, spare shoes in case something had broken and also spare wheels. We need a car that is compact in its style on the outside but offers a lot of space on the inside and for that, the Superb iV<\/a> is the perfect vehicle for us. It\u2019s comfortable, offers space, and it is solid. Matt, some team cars are comfortable for the drivers but not for people in the rear seats, often mechanics are closing their ears with their knees as it is so tight! But with the Superb iV,<\/a> the space in the rear is unmatched by any other vehicle in its class, therefore, it\u2019s such a good car for being in a bike race.<\/p>\n

\"Ronny<\/a>
Ronny Lauke, the General Manager of Canyon\/\/SRAM Racing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n