O'Connor's Van Rysel RCR Pro in detail

Among all the bikes in the peloton, the Van Rysel RCR Pro has become one of the most admired throughout the season, both for the excellent work carried out by Decathlon engineers in collaboration with ONERA and Swiss Side, and for the excellent performance that the Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale cyclists are getting out of it, who have accumulated 30 victories this season, including the latest by Ben O'Connor who these days is riding a very special Van Rysel RCR Pro.

The Van Rysel RCR Pro, the bike of the peloton, dresses in red

The leap in quality that Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale has made since the arrival of the French sports products chain sponsorship has been spectacular. Decathlon's entry into sponsorship was accompanied by a bike specially designed to offer professionals a top-level machine, an aerolight in line with other top bikes in the peloton and which will soon be reinforced with the inclusion of a purely aerodynamic bike that some of its cyclists already tested during the Tour de France.

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With this, Decathlon aims to shake off the image of cheap entry-level bikes from the supermarket that it has been carrying, as it is undeniable that its brands are the gateway to sports for many people. This availability of economical products has always overshadowed the presence in its range of higher-level products. Now, the French company has fully committed to these top-of-the-line bikes that, as their riders demonstrate, have little to envy other reference models and, here, maintaining the brand's philosophy, at a much more affordable price.

All this with tremendous development behind it for which Decathlon relied on the collaboration of the French aerospace laboratory specializing in aerodynamics ONERA and the also specialists in the field Swiss Side in order to achieve the best balance between aerodynamics and the rest of the features.

Now, in La Vuelta 2024, they have managed to reach the peak of the season, brilliantly taking the lead in the race with Australian Ben O'Connor. Obviously, like other brands, he has a personalized bike to match the red jersey of La Vuelta.
Even in this, the practical and economical aspect that characterizes Decathlon has been applied.

This is not a bike specifically painted for Ben O'Connor but, the Van Rysel RCR Pro that he is riding these days is the same bike he has been competing with since the beginning of the race. Given the subtle decoration of this bike, which only has details with the team colors on the front, the customization for O'Connor has consisted of preparing some vinyls with the leader's red color that have been placed over the blue ones with the team's usual decoration. Something that allows the rider to maintain the bike that is adjusted to the millimeter and to which he is fully accustomed, something that many cyclists are particularly meticulous about. In addition, the customization also extends to the Look pedals used by the team, also in red.

 

 

 

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A Van Rysel RCR Pro that obviously maintains the usual setup that Ben O'Connor has been using throughout the season and where the excellent wheels made by Swiss Side stand out, essential to achieve the best aerodynamics on this bike. A model that Decathlon is slowly putting up for sale and whose stock practically disappears immediately, proof of how sought after these new machines from the French company are.

Van Rysel RCR Pro Ben O'Connor: technical specifications

• Frame: 100% Carbon HM
• Fork: 100% Carbon HM
• Handlebar: Van Rysel RCR PRP by Deda
• Seatpost: RCR Carbon
• Saddle: Fizik Vento Argo 00
• Pedals: Look Keo Blade
• Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
• Crankset and chainrings: Shimano Dura-Ace with power meter 54/40
• Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-34
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace
• Wheels: Swiss Side Hadron2 Ultimate 500
• Tires: Continental GP5000s 700x28c
• Bottle cage: Elite Leggero Carbon