2019 Pro Bike: CCC Team Giant TCR Advanced SL race bike revealed

Giant is leaving Team Sunweb at the end of the year to partner with the new CCC Team (previously Team BMC) in 2019 with a squad built around Greg Van Avermaet. With the team assembling for winter training camps in sunny climes, we're getting to see the new bike for the first time.

Giant is not only supplying frames to the new team but also wheels, handlebars, stems, saddles and even GPS computers. That's the TCR Advanced SL above, the flagship model in the company’s range which focuses on low weight, stiffness and handling. It's been around for a few years now so likely due for an update soon we reckon. They'll also have the Propel aero bike and Trinity time trial bike at their disposal as well.

The CCC team will use Shimano groupsets, namely Dura-Ace Di2 for the derailleurs, cranksets and hoods. It’s also using Shimano’s first ever power meter as well, integrated into the Dura-Ace crankset and providing dual-sided power measurement.

Apart from the Shimano groupsets, and Vittoria tyres, it's a full sweep of Giant equipment.  It includes the wheels, which in this photo are prototypes - Giant uses the #overachieve tag for development parts. As such we don’t know much about them, other than they’re made from carbon fibre and presumably tubulars.

Giant has been starting to ramp up development of its own wheels in recent years. Team Sunweb made the switch from Shimano PRO wheels to Giant’s own wheels in 2018 with seemingly few issues or complaints from the riders and mechanics. This reflects the wider trend in the pro race scene for equipment sponsorship packages to include such things as wheels, contact points to even helmets and shoes.

The #overachieve wheel development program started this year and continues in 2019. This collaborative effort brings together Giant engineers and product developers with elite athletes and pro technical staffers to produce race-winning products.

But for the CCC Team, it extends to more than just the wheels. Giant is also supplying handlebars, stems, saddles, bottle cages and GPS computers for tracking all their training and racing data. It’ll also provide helmets, leaving Exteondo to provide the team kit. It shows just how much Giant has invested into this new team.

More pro bikes over the coming days.