For Ciaran Power and David McCann, clashing with Lance Armstrong in the Elite men's road race is very much a battle of David-and-Goliath proportions. But while they may not have the legs of the double Tour de France winner, they will at least go into the September 27th race with the knowledge that their bicycles are almost identical to his.
The American manufacturer Trek began sponsorship of the Irish team in 1998 when they opened an assembly point in Carlow. At the heart of the bicycles supplied by Irish distributor Centro is the 5500 OCLV carbon fibre frame, which Trek claims is the world's lightest production frame at a mere 2.44 lbs. Constructed using their Optimum Compaction, Low Void carbon fibre material, which is of a grade that meets the standard required for use in fighter planes, the manufacturing process reduces air pockets to improve the stiffness. Hence the £1,200 price tag for frame and fork alone.
The bikes, to be used by Power and McCann and by Deirdre Murphy in the women's road race, are all kitted out with lightweight Japanese-manufactured Shimano Dura-Ace components, costing £,1200. A range of 18 gears is accessible through shifters integrated into the brake lever. Pedals, too, are vastly different to those found on the standard bicycle. A clipless mechanism (so called because it replaces the old toe clip and strap set-up) binds to the racing shoe and facilitates a better transfer of power from rider to bike.
And so onto wheels. Apart from the frame, these have probably the greatest effect on performance. Lightness, rigidity and aerodynamics; all three concerns will be met through the use of Mavic Ksyrium aluminum wheels. Rolling resistance will be further reduced through the use of top quality tubular tyres pumped up to 140 pounds per square inch.
Throw in a speedometer, which measures current and average speed, pedal cadence and elapsed time and distance, plus a pulse meter to monitor how fast the heart is beating. Fit water bottles containing liquid and, once the flag drops, look for Lance Armstrong's back wheel and don't budge from it for the next six hours.
