Ever wondered how a team that competes from January to October in races across the world keeps its kit in order?
We were lucky enough to be invited by Shimano and Team Sky to check out the WorldTour team’s service course in Belgium.
A wall of Pinarello Dogmas and Graals, racks of Shimano wheels, boxes of spare kit, and a mechanical set up to rival any we’ve seen awaited us behind the roller doors of the facility in Kotrijk.
Service course manager, Andy Verrall, and mechanic, Alan Williams, were our hosts for a fascinating tour around the team’s European hub.
Team Sky’s Alex Dowsett and Michael Barry joined the assembled cycling press for a ride back to the hotel.
Here are some pictures from inside the technical facility of Britain’s only WorldTour team. Many thanks to Team Sky, Shimano, and photographer, Kristof Ramon.
Team Sky’s riders are only occasional visitors to Kotrijk during the racing season. Alex Dowsett, newly returned from injury, shares a joke with mechanic, Alan Williams. Picture: Kristof Ramon
Pinarello Dogmas and Graals hang on pegs marked with the riders’ names, ready for action. Picture: Kristof Ramon
Andy Verrall, manager of Team Sky’s service course, gets to grips with a Pinarello Dogma 2 in world champion’s livery. Picture: Kristof Ramon
We knew we’d arrived at the right place when we found Team Sky’s service truck in the car park. Picture: RCUK
Inside the Team Sky mechanics’ mobile office. Picture: Kristof Ramon
