The INEOS Grenadiers team, impressed by the performance of the Classified Powershift hub during testing, made cycling history at the 2024 Giro d’Italia by equipping their Pinarello time trial bikes with this cutting-edge technology. This marked Classified’s pro peloton debut, bringing unprecedented efficiency and aerodynamic advantages to the world stage.
Classified's innovative Powershift Hub eliminated the need for a front derailleur, reducing drag while providing instant gear changes. This setup allowed the INEOS Grenadiers riders to conserve energy and gain critical seconds, delivering impressive results in the time trial stages. In the opening test against the clock, a 40.6km course from Foligno to Perugia, the team placed four riders in the top ten.
Filippo Ganna secured 2nd, Magnus Sheffield 3rd, and Thymen Arensman 4th, with Geraint Thomas also finishing strongly.
The Course: A Race of Two Halves
The time trial route offered a unique challenge. The first 33km were mostly flat, favouring high-speed aerodynamics, but the final stretch from Ponte San Giovanni featured steep gradients peaking at 16%. Riders needed a bike setup that balanced speed on the flats with the ability to climb efficiently.In recent years, many teams have adopted 1x groupsets for time trials, combining an oversized chainring with a compact cassette to optimize speed and reduce drag. However, this often leaves riders at a disadvantage on steeper climbs. Classified’s Powershift hub provided the perfect solution, offering a wide range of gears without compromising on aerodynamics or efficiency—key factors in conquering the demanding final ascent.
Strategy and Precision Planning
On Cyclingnews.com, Ineos directeur sportif Zak Dempster joked, "I’m not sure what was on the bike. We just pick up whatever is lying around the truck, It’s not at all a well-thought-out plan that’s been in place for six months.”
"No, I think material planning around today’s stage and in general was important. Dario [Cioni] already came here the week after the presentation in Trento, and we were already thinking creatively about how we could get a competitive advantage on this stage.
"And I think on paper we did a good setup, we had a good plan, we did four recons of the stage including this morning. I don’t think the guys were left wanting at all with the material setup."
Geraint Thomas confirmed his satisfaction with the Classified system, which he also used. "It worked really well," he said after the stage. "No issues with that."
A Milestone for Cycling Innovation
The debut of Classified in the pro peloton was a testament to how innovative technology can elevate performance at the highest level. INEOS Grenadiers’ stellar results highlighted the game-changing potential of the Powershift hub, setting a new benchmark for drivetrain performance in professional cycling.
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