A mechanical problem during a race is never welcome and, depending on when and where it occurs, can ruin a cyclist’s - or indeed a whole team’s - chances of success.
In such moments of stress, when the rider’s own team car is not in the immediate vicinity, the familiar blue cars and motorbikes of the Shimano Neutral Service are a welcome sight. The mechanical team’s rapid wheel changes and other forms of technical assistance can help save the day.
In partnership with the UCI for the last 25 years and UCI World Cycling Partner since 2021, the Japanese creator of bicycle components provides its Neutral Service at UCI World Championships and other events for various disciplines.
“Whether it’s adjusting the brakes on a mountain bike, replacing a broken chain just before the start of a Gran Fondo or handing out a spare bike from one of the iconic blue cars during a road race, Shimano’s mechanics are always passionate in supporting riders during their chase of the rainbow stripes,” says Shimano Neutral Service Manager Europe Konstanze Haue.
For example, at the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland, nine mechanics and eight drivers were assigned to the road events while four mechanics and four drivers were on duty for the para-cycling races.
Some 70 interventions for the road events included the provision of spare bikes, wheel changes, adjustments to derailleurs, handlebars, brakes and saddles, help in the case of dropped chains, bike checks following crashes as well as the distribution of gels and bidons, and the collection of clothing from riders.
The interventions for para-cycling road were for five chain drops, and three wheel changes.
Find out more about the Shimano Neutral Service in this video.