Filmed from the perspective of a race mechanic working for Shimano Neutral Support, this footage demonstrates just how talented the support teams are at the top level of the sport.
Making quick wheel swaps is impressive, but having ridden a motorcycle with a passenger in the back, keeping control in such cramped quarters and not crashing into anything while your passenger is randomly making quick and jerky movements around on the back is what really impresses me.
Remember, passing wheels to the team car doesn’t rely on the skill of the mechanic not to crash, it requires the skill of the motorcycle rider.
2 of the riders that got wheel changes were on Campagnolo equipped bikes. While the cog spacing isn’t exactly the same as a Shimano or SRAM bike it’s close enough for a situation like this. What’s funny is that even in a grand tour the riders are still taking mechanical service on the wrong (left) side of the road.
Interesting to see that they keep the wheels on the rack all the time. The Mavic crews frequently have the jumper holding a wheel in his hand. Also I recall Mavic’s crews carry 2 rear wheels (Shimano and Campy) plus a cheatsheet of who uses what.
Since the 11 speed cassettes are compatible a Shimano 10 speed wheel and an 11 speed wheel will handle anybody in the peloton.
All three major US tech support programs (Shimano Multi-Service, MAVIC Service Courses, and SRAM Neutral Race Support) each utilize a largely volunteer crew led by company/paid staff. Neutral support mechanics are hand-selected by their respective program(s) and often arrive in their roles by way of USA Cycling’s Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Clinic:
http://www.usacycling.org/bill-woodul-race-mechanics-clinic-registration-information.htm
A mechanic’s background can vary a good bit (shop, neutral, team, road, MTB, etc.). The skill which is absolutely paramount above all others in a neutral support setting: working well in a team environment.
