Our Top 3 Takeaways From the Tour de France

Le Tour De France, the pinnacle of road cycling and for many, the highlight of the summer season. For everyone here at Megmeister, it’s a three-week showcase of road racing at its finest and the perfect opportunity for any cyclist to learn from the best and take their own performance to the next level. With this in mind, here are our top 3 takeaways from the 2019 Tour De France.

Aggression

No two tours are ever the same and while Team Sky/Ineos have dominated the podium in recent years, every edition of the Tour De France has had its own character. So far, aggression seems to be the defining factor of 2019, as a host of riders have shown their colours pulling off some seriously impressive attacks. You only have to look at the stage wins of Alaphilippe, De Gent and Pinot for examples of aggressive riding done to perfection.

The strong tactics used by these riders can be attributed to three things: the mental strength of the individual; their physical ability and the support of their team. If you have these things in place on race day, you can be sure for some solid results.

Teamwork is everything

Whether it’s in the team time trial, a final sprint or on a gruelling climb, 2019 has been a year where teamwork has shone through. Tours of late have been defined by Team Sky/Ineos’ dominance at the front of the peloton. However, this year we have witnessed other teams shine, with Jumbo Visma pulling off a flawless team time trial on stage 1, Lotto Soudal demonstrating a masterclass in leading out their man Caleb Ewan to two-stage victories and the Quickstep wolfpack expertly chaperoning GC contender Alaphilippe in the mountains. Team Sky/Ineos may have dominated since 2011 but this year it’s fair to say the 2019 Tour has been a more balanced affair and a stand out example of how teamwork is everything on the pro circuit.

Preparation lays the foundations for success

Preparation, preparation, preparation - the saying might be a cliché but it’s one of the key messages from this year’s Tour. For most riders, a strong performance at the Tour De France is what their entire season revolves around. Other races in the calendar might be important, but they act as the stepping stones to a strong performance in July. Consequently, preparation and planning are ingrained in the DNA of every Tour team. Every detail has been thought through, from the long term training plans and the riders strict diets, to the bikes they use and the clothing they wear. Here at Megmeister, we understand that this level of preparation is hard for amateur riders with busy schedules.

However, we know a little preparation goes a long way when it comes to making improvements to your performance. Start by getting the right bike, with the correct setup and geometry to keep you comfortable. Then, consider the clothes you are wearing and start at the base with one of our sleeveless base layers. If you look at any of the Tour riders, it has become increasingly common for them to wear a base layer regardless of temperature. With DRYNAMO technology and a seamless fabric built into our baselayers, they are sure to keep you cool, dry and comfortable when things turn sweaty. Once you have laid the foundations with our base layer, think about building on this foundation with the rest of your cycling outfit.

Shop the base layer today!