Another team switches to disc brakes for Paris-Roubaix
Direct Energie becomes the latest team to move to discs for the Hell of the North
After Lampre-Merida and Roompot-Oranje Peloton switched to disc brakes at the Tour of Flanders last weekend, Direct Energie will become the latest team make the transition as they plan to use the technology for Paris-Roubaix on Sunday.
>>> Disc brakes, new Pinarellos, and strange shifters from the Tour of Flanders
The French team had a BH G7 Disc bike on top of one of their team cars at the start of the Tour of Flanders, but did not use it during the race, choosing instead to test the bike at Scheldeprijs yesterday. All but one of the team's riders were using discs, and plan to continue to do so on Sunday, although team leader Sylvain Chavanel was not racing in Scheldeprijs and it is unclear whether he will also be using discs.
Watch: your essential guide to Paris-Roubaix
Aside from Lampre-Merida and Direct Energie, the only other team that we think might use disc brakes at Paris-Roubaix is Bora-Argon 18, who, like Direct Energie, had a few disc brake bikes hanging around at the start of the Tour of Flanders, but did not use them in the race.
>>> 10 ways the pros modify their bikes for the cobbles
And the improved wet weather braking of those discs could well come in handy on Sunday, with some of the cobbles sectors currently wet and covered in mud to the point where the race organisers are considering removing them from the race, as well as a chance of rain early in the race.
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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
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