
Preparing and readying bikes for a new cycling season

The start of a new cycling season requires thorough preparation—not only for the riders of AG Insurance - Soudal and Soudal Quick-Step, but also for their Specialized bikes. Nicolas Coosemans, Technical & Development Manager at Soudal Quick-Step, offers a behind-the-scenes look at this process. “Every year, all race bikes are built from scratch,” he explains. Every detail is checked and adjusted, and the mechanics receive annual training to stay up-to-date on the latest techniques and materials.
A crucial aspect of this process is ensuring that the bike position is accurately replicated on both the race bike and the spare bike. “The position must be identical across all bikes to ensure consistency,” Nicolas emphasizes. Regarding new materials and innovations, Nicolas is careful with details, though a fresh design always brings a renewed energy to the team.

With a team of 88 athletes divided across women’s, men’s, and youth categories, structure and planning are essential. “It’s a challenge to keep everything running smoothly,” says Nicolas, but the team ensures that every rider—from the youngest to the most experienced—receives the same quality and care in their bike preparation. Although the latest components often go to the pros first, this technology eventually filters down to the younger generations, allowing the entire team to start the season in top form.