Nine of Top 10 Tour de France Cyclists Chose ANT+ Interoperability
Trek, CycleOps, Garmin, and SRM delivered leading cycling products featuring ANT+ ultra low power wireless technology to successful riders at this year’s Tour de France race. Committed to cutting-edge technology that meets riders’ specific needs, these ANT+ members set a new standard in personal area monitoring and cycling connectivity.
According to Chris Clinton, Brand Manager at Trek, “In our early design phase Lance Armstrong requested a computer display that was capable of showing all of his ride data on one screen, including the ability to show data from his power meter. Thanks to the interoperability provided by the ANT+ signals, we were able to provide him with exactly that. Using Bontrager’s Node computers, riders can read ANT+ signals for power, speed, cadence and heart rate.”
Of the top 10 2009 Tour de France winners, the top 9 riders used devices with ANT+ technology:
| Rider (in order of finish) | Team |
ANT+ Alliance Member/Manufacturer |
| 1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) | Astana | Trek |
| 2. Andy Schleck (Lux) | Saxo Bank | SRM |
| 3. Lance Armstrong (USA) | Astana | Trek |
| 4. Bradley Wiggins (GBr) | Garmin-Slipstream | CycleOps / Garmin |
| 5. Fränk Schleck (Lux) | Saxo Bank | SRM |
| 6. Andreas Klöden (Ger) | Astana | Trek |
| 7. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) | Liquigas | SRM |
| 8. Christian Vande Velde (USA) | Garmin-Slipstream | CycleOps / Garmin |
| 9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) | Liquigas | SRM |
| 10. Christophe Le Mevel (Fra) | Française des Jeux | non ANT+ |
Of the 4 Jersey winners, 3 of them use ANT+ technology:
1. Yellow Jersey – Overall Winner – Alberto Contador – Trek
2. White Jersey – Best Rider under 25 years old – Andy Schleck – SRM
3. Polka Dot Jersey – Best Rider in the Mountains – Franco Pellizotti – SRM
4. Green Jersey – Across the Finish line first most often – 2nd Place Mark Cavendish – SRM
Of the 20 teams competing in the 2009 Tour de France, 7 used ANT+ devices.
Four of these teams were in the top 5:
1. Astana – Trek
2. Garmin-Slipstream – CycleOps / Garmin
3. Team Saxo Bank – SRM
5. Liquigas – SRM
12. Team Milram – SRM
14. Team Columbia-HTC – SRM
19. Lampre-N.G.C – Garmin
“Embedding ANT+ sensors in our bicycle frame makes the Madone the most technologically advanced bicycle on the market today,” stated Dan Dacko, Product Manager at Trek Bicycles. “Using ANT+ sensors gives our pro riders the precise and reliable speed and cadence parameters that they need. This same best-in-class sensor information is also available to all of our recreational riders and the interoperability of ANT+ allows connectivity to most bicycle computers in the market today.”
ANT+ is the only wireless connectivity solution able to ensure standard communications between such a wide array of personal sports and health sensors. Current ANT+ Device Profiles include HRM, Foot Speed, Step Count, Bike Cadence, Bike Speed, Bike Power, Weight Scale. Profiles in development are Fitness, Blood Pressure, Audio Control, Multisport Speed and GPS.
photo credit: bicycling.com