In recent years, the landscape of women’s cycling has transformed, gaining significant visibility and professionalism. The evolution is particularly notable, given that just a few years ago, the women’s side of the sport often did not receive the recognition, coverage, or sponsorship it warranted. This shift provides an exciting backdrop for both fans and participants alike.
Over the past five to seven years, there has been a marked improvement in how women’s races are perceived and covered. For those interested in understanding this history more deeply, I recommend reading Nicole Cook’s biography, which offers valuable insights into racing at a championship level.
As the viewership for women’s races begins to rival that of the men’s, a pressing question arises: are sponsors providing women cyclists with the high-quality equipment they need and deserve? The disparities in gear and sponsorship between men’s and women’s teams have been stark, particularly in smaller Pro and Continental teams.
My attendance at various women’s races has been eye-opening, particularly at the Itzulia Women, a highly competitive three-day stage race in the Basque Country. Each year, I meticulously examine the technology utilized by participating teams and have often noted some less-than-ideal equipment among smaller squads. Examples include the use of rim brakes, mismatched wheels, and heavy tires—items that may be adequate for training but are not suited for the demands of professional racing.
Such equipment discrepancies can accumulate and lead to performance disadvantages when these teams compete against elite WorldTour squads. In this context, I have decided to explore notable trends I observed at this year’s Itzulia Women event and assess whether the equipment has improved.
Unreleased Wheel Technology
This year, I noticed something noteworthy while examining the equipment: the Canyon-SRAM team was racing with a new set of wheels from Zipp, marking the first public appearance of these wheels. Last year, the same team debuted the unreleased Red AXS groupset at Itzulia. Although mechanics were tight-lipped about the specifications of the new wheels, it’s exciting to consider their potential implications for performance once they become publicly available.
The rim profile suggests potential enhancements compared to existing Zipp wheels. The design features a more pronounced dimpling pattern, possibly indicative of a new model or an upgrade within their range. While it is challenging to ascertain the exact width, the interaction with 30mm Pro One tires hinted that these wheels may pair optimally with wider tires, such as the 28mm variety. Further investigation is warranted to confirm the technical specifications of these wheels.
For more insights, be sure to check out my accompanying video detailing further observations from the race.
Best,
Dave
Equipment Gallery
