Y1Rs or V5Rs? UAE Team Emirates XRG Reveals Which Colnago Tadej Pogačar Will Ride to Defend His Tour de France Title

In the world of competitive cycling, Colnago has long stood as a benchmark for innovation, performance, and unmistakable aesthetics. With the introduction of the Y1Rs and V5Rs, Colnago now offers two distinct and highly specialized interpretations of racing bicycles—each engineered to excel in specific scenarios and meet the demands of riders with different priorities. While both bikes are designed to dominate the stages of professional cycling and have been refined with input from champions like Tadej Pogačar and the entire UAE Team, their design philosophies and the advantages they offer diverge significantly.

This bicycle represents the pinnacle of Colnago’s aerodynamic technology for road cycling. It is engineered to slice through the wind and maximize the efficiency of the bike-rider system at high speeds. Its bold design—made possible by the latest UCI regulations—is the result of intensive aerodynamic research, culminating in a 19% reduction in frontal area compared to the V4Rs (the all-around monocoque frame on which Tadej Pogačar won the last edition of the Tour de France), leading to a saving of 20 watts at 50 km/h. This bike is the ideal choice for flat races, solo breakaways, non-specialist time trials, and for any rider seeking the ultimate aerodynamic advantage. Of course, for regular time trials the riders of UAE Team Emirates XRG will use the pluri-victorious TT1 model, which was specifically designed for this discipline.

The Colnago V5Rs stands out as the lightest frame ever produced by Colnago—a true race machine with no apparent limits. While it integrates significant aerodynamic improvements inspired by the Y1 project (including a 13% reduction in frontal area compared to the V4Rs), its core focus is achieving the optimal balance between lightness, stiffness, and versatile race geometry. The V5Rs is designed as a high-performance all-rounder, capable of excelling with equal confidence on steep climbs, explosive sprints, and even on cobblestones or light gravel sectors. This bike is the ideal companion for elevation-heavy stages, mountain stages in Grand Tours, and for riders seeking an exceptionally responsive and lightweight ride.

Let’s start with the essential question: what are the technical and performance-based reasons behind using the Y1Rs or the V5Rs in different race conditions? The answer is straightforward:

“The Y1Rs is primarily chosen for its superior aerodynamics, making it ideal for flat stages or routes with long sections ridden at high speed. The V5Rs, on the other hand, stands out for its lightness and agility—traits that make it perfect for mixed or mountainous terrain. To summarize: the greater the elevation gain, the more likely the V5Rs is chosen over the Y1Rs. When average speeds are lower and energy savings are crucial, weight reduction becomes the key factor to achieving the best performance.”

“It’s not a decision made in advance, but the result of a rigorous, data-driven process. We conduct specific training sessions that faithfully replicate race conditions, covering a variety of terrain types—from high-speed flat sections to mountain climbs with varying gradients, all the way to technical descents. During these real-world tests, we accurately measure critical parameters: power output (in watts), instantaneous and average speed, and split times over predefined segments. Complementing this fieldwork, we also carry out direct comparisons through track testing in a controlled environment."

Let’s break it down. How do the two bikes differ in terms of speed, handling, and comfort across mixed terrain, flat routes, and climbs?

“On flat terrain, the Y1Rs is unquestionably faster thanks to its optimized aerodynamics. The energy savings at high and very high speeds is about 4% compared to the V5Rs—an impressive figure when you consider the hours spent racing. The V5Rs, in contrast, delivers greater agility and superior control, especially on technical climbs and descents. As for comfort: on rough or irregular surfaces, the V5Rs is generally more comfortable, while the Y1Rs, with its aerodynamic focus, can be more demanding on cobblestones or uneven roads.”

Why choose an aerodynamic bike over a lightweight one in a completely flat race?

“The reason is simple: on flat terrain, aerodynamic drag is the main factor limiting speed. An aerodynamic bike can save between 10 and 20 watts at high speeds—a benefit that can translate into over a minute of advantage over a 40 km distance. In this context, the weight of the bike plays a much less significant role.”

Conversely, how important is it to use a lightweight bike when tackling steep climbs?

“It’s essential. A lightweight bike improves the power-to-weight ratio, which is critical for long and steep ascents. In mountain passes, every kilogram saved can result in roughly 3 to 5 seconds gained per kilometer of climbing.”

To conclude, let’s look at how Tadej Pogačar himself applied these criteria throughout his early-season races, making use of both the Y1Rs and the V5Rs (and, in some cases, the V4Rs—which at the time was the top model in the V-series lineup).

• Strade Bianche and Tour of Flanders: The V4Rs was the preferred choice for its lightness, precise handling, and ability to absorb vibrations on technical terrain—such as the gravel roads of Tuscany, the Belgian cobbles, and the relentless, leg-breaking climbs.

• Milano–Sanremo: The Y1Rs was selected for its aerodynamic advantage across the long, flat opening section, as well as for its efficiency on the high-speed Cipressa and the fast climb and descent of the Poggio.

• Paris–Roubaix: Here, the focus was on frame endurance and vibration damping. Once again, the V4Rs was the go-to option, chosen for its stability on the cobblestones, along with specific adjustments such as tire pressure and increased wheel (and consequently tire) width.

• Critérium du Dauphiné: Seen as a pre-Tour de France test, this race saw Tadej use both the Y1Rs—which he rode to victory in the opening sprint stage—and the V5Rs, with which he dominated the more mountainous stages in the second half of the race.

• It’s worth noting that the V5Rs was officially introduced in mid-April and made its racing debut at the Amstel Gold Race, a course defined by its short, steep climbs and constantly undulating profile—perfect terrain for the bike’s reactive and lightweight build.