Published April 3, 2016 09:45AM
Lampre and Roompot ride discs in Tour of Flanders
Roompot – Oranje Peloton rolled onto the Flanders cobbles with SRAM TK disc brakes, while Lampre – Merida riders are on Shimano discs
Roompot's Isaac bikes were outfitted with disc brakes in preparation for a warm day at the Tour of Flanders. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews
BRUGES, Belgium (VN) – The temperature in Bruges should climb into the high 60s before the race is said and done, and the sun shines bright over Flanders. Yet on the relatively dry cobbles, two teams are testing out disc brakes in the pro peloton: Roompot – Oranje Peloton riders rolled onto the cobbles with SRAM TK disc brakes, while Lampre – Merida riders are on Shimano discs.
The 2016 edition of the Tour of Flanders may not be the ideal testing ground in terms of wet-weather use, but the dry conditions perhaps eliminate a potential X-factor for riders nervous about embracing discs. Aside from wet-weather stopping power, discs offer racers an opportunity to brake later in a turn, and slow down with better modulation and control.
While Campagnolo recently showed off its new road disc brakes in Gran Canaria, Spain at the beginning of March, the Italian company’s hydraulic brake offering was nowhere to be seen in the Flanders pit area.