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TDF2015 Tech: What’s inside the team cars, plus Team Sky’s prototype Jaguar F-Pace SUV

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Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle

Let there be no doubt as to who’s the best funded team in the pro peloton. Team Sky wasn’t just rockin’ production Jaguar vehicles for sag wagons, they had this prototype Jaguar F-Pace SUV stealthily decaled. Word is, this model won’t even be formally introduced until the Frankfurt Auto Show, hitting showrooms in 2016 sometime. But here it is, and it’s gorgeous.

Ride on in for more pics of this and other cars from le Tour, including a look inside to see how they set them up to service the riders mid-race…

Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle

But first, more pics of the F-Pace.

Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle

Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle

All of the lights were partially covered to disguise the final look, but we’re guessing it’s gotta be ready for it to be thrashed through the Tour de France as a support vehicle.

Jaguar F-Pace SUV crossover spy shots as Team Sky support vehicle

Twenty. Two. Inch. Rims.

Team Sky Jaguar estate wagon team support car

Their standard team cars aren’t too shabby, either.

Team Sky bus

Lest you think they spared any expense, even the team bus’ window shades have the team logo printed on them.

Orica Greenedge pro cycling team bus

Team Orica GreenEDGE also dressed their front window up a bit.

Movistar pro cycling team volvo wagon support car

Movistar ran Volvo wagons, which along with Skoda were far more common. These are the XC70 wagons, likely chosen because they offer more room than the sportier V60 models.

Lotto Soudal pro cycling team support car

One of Lotto Soudal’s vehicles was either vandalized or had a mishap.

FDJ pro cycling team Skoda wagon team support vehicle FDJ pro cycling team Skoda wagon team support vehicle

FDJ’s team had several of these Skoda wagons, but we only saw one with this killer metallic blue wrap.

Tour de France team support car dash mapping and communications

Inside the cars were all manner of screens, maps and radio paraphernalia to keep tabs on the riders. This one was inside Team Sky’s Jaguar F-Pace, where even the dash was being concealed from prying eyes (like ours).

Tour de France team support car dash mapping and communications

Some teams used iPads or other tablets with or without auxiliary screens of some type. Most cars had large antennas on the top that could be satellite television, letting them watch in real time. Note all the Powerbar foodstuffs in the door pocket.

Tour de France team support car dash mapping and communications

Some teams were a bit more old school in their approach, using paper maps and lists, kinda like the Mavic neutral support vehicle we posted earlier.

Tour de France team support car tools coolers and supplies

In the back seats were mostly an assortment of tools. A lot of the cars were simply stuffed full of wheels from the back of the driver’s seat to the rear hatch. This one’s had a full sized tool box along with a well organized small parts bin.

Tour de France team support car tools coolers and supplies

Astana’s guys had perhaps the best tool organization, keeping it very easily reachable when leaning out the window trying to fix a bike in motion. Duct tape FTW!

Tour de France team support car tools coolers and supplies

Others had no organization whatsoever.

Tour de France team support car tools coolers and supplies

Many had large coolers full of water bottles.

Tour de France team support car tools coolers and supplies

We asked where the beer was, and they replied “We’re saving that for Paris!” Vive le France!

Stay tuned for tons more tech coverage from the pits!

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rico
rico
8 years ago

Duct tape on a broken shoe or pedal can help a ton in a jam.

Ripnshread
Ripnshread
8 years ago

Thats not to cover any “paraphernalia” its because its a prototype car and they don’t want you to see the dash.

maz-o
maz-o
8 years ago

@Ripnshread they didn’t say they were trying to hide the “paraphernelia”, simply the dashboard itself.

The Snail Man
The Snail Man
8 years ago

I saw that F-Pace live in Utrecht really close. It’s so beautiful and classy! I didn’t know it was some top secret pre-production model.

Joey Brown
8 years ago

Nice stuff except the cheap coolers. Should be using Yeti!

sam
sam
8 years ago

did jaguar really need to make an SUV.. Gross

DRC
DRC
8 years ago

@sam – Seriously? Everyone makes SUV’s now except Ferrari. Porsche has been doing it for years and selling a million of them. Lambo and Bentley even getting in the mix. Jaguar is losing out on a whole market because lux SUV’s have been super popular for over a decade.

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
8 years ago

Don’t forget the rain bags, the Cofidis bags in the next to last pic are each rider’s rain jackets, booties, etc. for bad weather. Also those coolers probably have some ice socks mixed in with the bottles to help the riders in extreme heat.

Colin
Colin
8 years ago

The f-pace looks like the Porsche and Audi which is basically the same car. Would have.
Been nice to see something unique and not a copy cat.

London Bike Mechanic
London Bike Mechanic
8 years ago

Just wanted to point out, Jens didn’t use one of these that would have been to easy. He used a yellow Mavic junior bike that been used in a kids race earlier in the day. If he had used an adult bike he probably would’ve won the stage!

shafty
shafty
8 years ago

Benedict Astana’s setup is very tidy. Is there a way we could get some better photos of that tool organization?

alex
8 years ago

Has anyone done a detailed look at the custom roof racks these wagons all seem to have? Really interested in a story on those racks!

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