Astana Service Course
Interior of the Astana travel van provides significant storage capacity and serves as a mobile bike shop.
Our host, Luc Meersman, includes being Lance Armstrong's body guard in his job description.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
The Astana "Service Course" houses an incredible number of bike components to be used by the cycling team.
Luc explains to Jim some of the finer points of the Trek frames used by the Astana team.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
The Astana transport vans are self sufficient including their own power generators.
Luc explains how the frame numbers are used by race officials when viewing video to identify the riders.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
A closer view of the composite Trek frames, SRAM components and Look crank used by Astana.
All of the bike frames still bear the Astana color scheme. Next year the primary sponsor will be Radio Shack.
The pantry area houses the non-perishable items used by the riders. Sun screen, several flavors energy bars, powder for energy drinks, etc. are all stored here.
The pantry area houses the non-perishable items used by the riders. Sun screen, several flavors energy bars, powder for energy drinks, etc. are all stored here.
Luc examines one of the energy bars.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
The pantry area houses the non-perishable items used by the riders. Sun screen, several flavors energy bars, powder for energy drinks, etc. are all stored here.
Luc explains the purpose and content of the riders' rain packs.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Rain pack for Astana's 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongAlberto Contador
Luc explains the content and purpose of the riders' rain packs
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
An additional pair of cycling shoes are included in the rain pack.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Jim can't believe how light the racing head gear are.
Levi Leipheimer's Astana road racing helmet for the 2009 season.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLevi Leipheimer
Astana Time Trial helmet for 2009.
Three of the Astana follow cars.
The Astana Service Course has sufficient resources to support three simultaneous races.
Luc explains to Chris how the tire tubes are glued to the wheels.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Luc describes features of the Astana follow car.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
The Astana follow cars include multiple radios to maintain communications with the team riders as well as to monitor the race officials. The vehicle also includes a TV for monitoring the race video feed.
The follow cars roof racks are capable of stowing multiple spare complete bikes as well as additional frames and wheels.
Luc demonstrates how the bikes are mounted to the rack.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Radios are carried by the riders in a back pocket of their jersey to maintain communications with the Johan as well as each other.
Luc demonstrates to Jim the voice quality of the race radios. Unfortunately their power and range are fairly limited.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
The radio microphones are typically clipped to the front of the jersey.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Each radio is identified with the rider's name. In the event there is a malfunction, Luc can quickly identify the troublesome unit by knowing who made the complaint.
Administrative Assistant, Sonia Maes, stops by to see how things are going. The radio travel pack can be seen on the work bench.
Back parking area houses additional vehicles. The Astana Service Course was originally a Ford dealership. If desired, all of the vehicles could be stored indoors.
Every square inch of the fleet van has a purpose for storage or to support the race mechanics. Note the frames stored in the upper right.
The open door on the right of the Astana van includes a washer and dryer for laundering the team clothing between stages.
An amazing supply of frames, wheels and components are stored to support the needs of the Astana team.
Luc inspects yet more frames within the Service Course.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Chris inspects one of the spokeless time trial rear wheels.
The time trial wheels are a good bit different than what are used for typical road course or mountain stages.
Jim picks up a frame that was used for wind tunnel testing. It features a unique location for the brake calipers - between the stays.
Can you spot the brakes? With this location, they provide less wind resistance.
Luc stores the wind tunnel frame on the wall rack.
astanabrakelservice coursebelgiumcyclinglance armstrongLuc Meersman
Brand new frames - still in the bubble wrap! The masking tape indicates the frame size. Astana uses stock Trek frames.
Luc frequently uses one of the follow cars for travel around town. The Brakel locals are familiar with the Astana team and undoubtedly proud.
Brakel is definitely a cycling town as evidenced by this artwork in the center of a roundabout not far from the Astana Service Course. Note that the top of the structure is a large spoked wheel.
Brakel is definitely a cycling town as evidenced by this artwork in the center of a roundabout not far from the Astana Service Course. Note that the top of the structure is a large spoked wheel.
