In product development terms, DURA-ACE is known as Shimano’s no compromise groupset. In their quest for speed, it’s at DURA-ACE level that Shimano considers every gram and aerodynamic option. And that’s why it’s again the groupset of choice for five teams who have signed with Shimano for 2022.
INEOS Grenadiers, Arkea Samsic, BORA-hansgrohe, Alpecin-Fenix and Plantur-Pura are the latest teams to have re-signed with Shimano to use DURA-ACE Di2 components and DURA-ACE wheels in the year ahead.
Read more about the teams ↴
INEOS Grenadiers
INEOS Grenadiers have worked with Shimano from their inception. Over the years, their pursuit of excellence has pushed Shimano engineers to develop ever lighter, stronger, more precise and more intuitive technologies. From the feel of a shift button through winter gloves to the real-world aerodynamics that pull Shimano wheels to the front of the pack, feedback from INEOS Grenadiers has helped make DURA-ACE the unsurpassed system that it is today.
In 2022, INEOS Grenadiers are ready to go on the offensive. Their Pinarello Dogma F12s sport Shimano’s new DURA-ACE R9200 12-speed groupsets with disc brakes. The team is prepared for all racing conditions with their choice of C36, C50, or C60-HR wheels. Expect to see riders such as Richard Carapaz, Tom Pidcock, and Tao Geoghegan Hart light up grand tour stages and climb onto podiums. Elia Viviani is back and ready to win sprints. Meanwhile, Filippo Ganna will continue to show that he is the world’s fastest time triallist.
Every attack INEOS Grenadiers launch will be founded on the same diligent commitment to excellence that has brought them so many grand tour victories and made them such a valuable partner for Shimano.
Arkea Samsic
Nairo Quintana, Warren Barguil, and their Arkea Samsic teammates will not only have DURA-ACE on their Canyon bikes; they will power their performances with Shimano’s S-PHYRE footwear this year too. It’s all part of their plan to surprise the peloton at races such as the Tour de France. The upstart French team is determined to punch above its weight with the best equipment possible.
Shimano’s approach to system engineering gives them an advantage. Their S-Phyre RC9 shoes fit like a glove and have been designed to transfer power directly into DURA-ACE drivetrains via Shimano’s ultra-light and stable R9100 pedals.
DURA-ACE C36, C50, and C60-HR wheels can be easily swapped in and out, so the team can adapt their bikes to race conditions. Each model of wheel seeks a different balance between light weight and aerodynamics with unique rim shapes sculpted out of carbon fibre. For Nacer Bouhanni, the 60mm C60-HRs will provide the rigidity and aerodynamic speed he needs to win sprints, while Nairo Quintana and Warren Barguil can make the most of feathery 36mm C36s for those days when they want to go on the attack in the mountains. Shimano C50s are an excellent all-around option for races when there is hardly a metre of flat.
BORA-hansgrohe
This year, the German team has a very exciting roster. Sam Bennett is back and ready to win sprints. With the team’s Specialized bikes boasting DURA-ACE’s ultra-efficient drivetrain and super-fast shifting, Bennett will be able to drop his chain onto the exactly right cog and kick away from the pack without wasting a watt of power. Wilco Kelderman, Emanuel Buchmann, and Jai Hindley will lead Bora-hansgrohe in the Grand Tours. In the mountains, they will race with the assurance that DURA-ACE Di2 is proven by countless winners. Their teammate, German champion Maximilian Schachmann will be gunning for a big Classics win in the Ardennes. On hilly courses with lots of corners, he won’t have to brake a second earlier than he wants thanks to the precise stopping power of DURA-ACE disc brakes which have been redesigned with SERVOWAVE technology.
Alpecin-Fenix and Plantur-Pura
The Canyon bikes of Alpecin-Fenix and Plantur-Pura will also feature Shimano DURA-ACE Di2 drivetrains and DURA-ACE wheels in 2022.
Mathieu van der Poel and his Alpecin-Fenix teammates have upended the world of bike racing. On the road, on ‘cross courses, and on mountain-bike trails, they have challenged the sport’s strongest players and won. This year, their men’s road team is stepping up to the World Tour. After earning victories in all three grand tours in 2021, they are raring to go. Meanwhile, the Plantur-Pura women’s team is aiming to continue their success.
Two-way partnership
Shimano has worked hard to make sure that the teams’ bikes are second to none. New DURA-ACE R92000 12-speed transmissions deliver faster, more precise wireless shifting. With 54-tooth chainrings and redesigned cranks that transfer power directly into speed, sprinters Jasper Philipsen and Tim Merlier will take off from the pack. And they won’t lose a watt on the climbs thanks to DURA-ACE’s ultra-efficient drive trains and super comfy S-Phyre shoes, which are optimised for use with Shimano’s pedal system. With 40-tooth small chainrings up front and 11-34T cassettes on the back, they will be able to get over the steepest climbs without sapping their strength. The teams have the even better DURA-ACE disc brakes on their bikes now too. SERVOWAVE tech will provide Mathieu van der Poel and Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado with superior stopping power and precision, so they can brake last into every corner in the most competitive ‘cross races and safely negotiate Alpine descents in the wet. Whatever the conditions, they will be prepared with C36, C50, and C60-HR wheels.
Shimano’s sports marketing manager, Myron Walraven:
“With all teams we aim for a two-way partnership. The teams are performance driven, we are product-driven. We want to provide the best material for each team in their quest for performance, and that helps us to get the best from our products. We wish INEOS-Grenadiers, Arkea Samic, BORA-hansgrohe, Alpecin-Fenix and Plantur-Pura – as well as all other teams and riders – best of luck with the season ahead.”
