Pro bike: Simon Gerrans’ Scott Plasma 3 TT

This article originally published on BikeRadar

Less than a second was all that separated Tour de France team time trial victor Orica-GreenEdge from second-placed Omega Pharma—Quick-Step today in Nice – but it was enough to deliver the team its first yellow jersey since its formation in 2011.

The honour of wearing yellow in the 2013 Tour de France will fall to Simon Gerrans, who has clearly hit a purple patch after winning a thrilling sprint into Calvi yesterday.

Two wins in two days and the yellow jersey means spirits were running high at the team hotel after the team time trial in Nice. Fans draped in Aussie flags stood in the lobby and when BikeRadar went to visit the hotel, the drinks for a reception were already flowing.

Simon Gerrans’ Scott Plasma 3 was just off the mechanic’s washstand. The machine which took the winner into the yellow jersey has been a staple of the team. The frame hasn’t changed much since it was launched in 2009.

Even today, the integrated steering assembly, the hidden back brakes and the aerofoil shaped tubing mean it has stood the test of time well.

While the squad uses new Shimano Dura-Ace 11 speed on its road bikes, the TT frames are kitted in previous generation 10sp Di2 technology – not that it did any harm today.

The rear brake is a conventional brake, upended and housed in a recess above the seatstays

The rear wheel is a state of the art Pro Textreme disc and the front a standard – if logo-less – Shimano C75. It was the perfect combination for the flat, still 25km stage on the Cote d'Azur.

Click through the photo gallery to the above right for a detailed look at the Scott Plasma 3 TT of yellow jersey wearer Simon Gerrans.

 

 

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Sam started as a trainee reporter on daily newspapers in the UK before moving to South Africa where he contributed to national cycling magazine Ride for three years. After moving back to the UK he joined Procycling as a staff writer in November 2010.