March 16, 2011 – The latest news is that top Swiss cyclist, Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) is not using ultra-sophisticated ball bearings in his bike according to team manager Brian Nygaard reports by AP. But this follows earlier suggestions that Cancellara has been using hi-tech Gold-Race ball bearings according to the Belgian daily newspaper, La Derniere Heure.

The report in La Derniere Heure claims that such premium ball bearings reduce friction by more than 95 percent, permitting up to a 2.5 second advantage per kilometre. That report also claims that use of these Gold Race bearings can lead to a 27 percent reduction in lactic acid accumulation and allow cyclists to use higher gears. The same report alleges that Andy Schleck (also Leopard Trek) used these bearings at the 2010 TdF and that such bearings are legal under UCI regulations.

Italian sports writer, Davide Cassani, stunned the cycling world in 2010 by procuring and showing off a sophisticated electric bike that does not look like a conventional electric bike.  Videos posted on YouTube strongly suggest that Cancellara has used such a sophisticated electric bike on his way to recent podiums, a charge denied by Cancellara and his team.

AP story here.

Derniere Heure here (French).

Pedal’s 2010 report about Davide Cassani here