The Russian Katusha team is currently using these mudguards at the Tour de France, perfect for a wet and muddy stage like today's.
While mudguards are fitted to most bikes used by racing cyclists for winter training, it’s against the rules to use them competing.
Not only would they hugely slow down a rider, but mudguards and the apparatus that keeps them in place are simply deemed too dangerous for racing. They pose a stabbing hazard in the event of a high speed crash.
However, the top pro team Katusha today took to the start line of stage 5 of the Tour de France, with a wet and muddy day on the pavé in store, with mini mudguards fixed to their bikes.
They are a much smaller and neater structure compared to traditional mudguards.
Advertisement
They are essentially a simple one-piece flap that attaches to the saddle and should keep the riders’ backsides a little drier than normal.
Katusha has been using them since the start of this season but today’s TV exposure on the ‘Paris Roubaix stage’ of the Tour is the first time they’ve been seen on the biggest stage.
Related News
The team agreed a sponsorship deal this year with Sencillo Bikes in Spain, which distributes the mudguard flaps.
The company was undoubtedly praying for rain on today’s pavé stage; the perfect conditions to help bring their nifty little product to the attention of the global TV audience.
The Katusha mechanic demonstrating how easily the mini mudguards click on and off the saddle.
You can get them in all kinds of colours and to suit particular occasions, like this Tour de France set.
On a day like today, every little extra bit of comfort helps. Seen here is the first section of pavé before the riders arrived.
Topics
