Why are teams using mountain bike disc rotors at the Tour de France?

Mountain bike rotors at the tour de france
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)

As we enter the third week of the Tour de France, we've had plenty of time to look at the bikes of the riders already, and there has been plenty of cause for tech discussion at this year's race. There's been tyre talk, as the debate of tubular vs tubeless was usurped by clinchers. Wheels have had their time in the spotlight too, as Jumbo Visma and Ineos Grenadiers shunned Shimano in favour of non-sponsor selections, despite our suggestion that Shimano has something new coming.

Today it's the turn of another wheel-based component, the disc brake rotors. Riders including Julian Alaphilippe, Marc Hirschi and Adam Yates have been using mountain bike rotors.

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

Josh Croxton
Tech Editor

As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too. 


On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium.