Bikes for Beijing

With the Olympics rapidly approaching, national cycling teams are taking possession of their bicycles. While many nations, including Britain, are keeping their machines under wraps, a few nations have let the press take a peek. Here's what some of the key medal contenders will be riding.


France
The French sprinters and time trial riders will be on the "Look 496 Pekin" - said to be 30 percent stiffer than the previous team frame - which was also one of the stiffest available.



Japan
The Japanese riders are coached by a Frenchman, and many have already been seen riding French Look frames, but a few will be lining up on a Bridgestone.



The United States
The U.S. team has picked up LEW wheels as a sponsor, and the paralympic team will be riding Ruegamer frames, however, many of the top riders will be riding frames supplied by their individual sponsors, such as this Felt frame being ridden by Taylor Phinney.



Australia
The Australian madison and point score riders will be given these brand new frames called the Blade. Made by Bicycle Technologies (BT) they will weigh 6.8kg, yet they're still very stiff and aerodynamic.



The Netherlands
Finally, the bike everyone's been talking about, as ridden by world sprint champion and record holder, Dutchman Theo Bos. This frame is said to have cost half a million euros. That's an exageration I'm sure, but a lot of time, effort and cash has gone into making this bike for the world's fastest rider. (And no, that's not Theo in the photo).

Please click on each photo to see the page they came from.