STORMING PARIS: DENIS MENCHOV, TEAM RABOBANK AND GIANT

Denis Menchov is hungry to win. Fresh off a decisive victory at this year’s Giro d’Italia, he’s eager to take on the world’s #1 bike race when the Tour de France starts July 4 in Monaco. The two-time Vuelta a España winner is a pre-race favorite, and he’s gunning for one of bike racing’s holiest trophies—winning all three of cycling’s Grand Tours, a feat accomplished by just five men before him.

Fortunately, he won’t be going it alone.

Menchov and Team Rabobank are backed by Giant, the world’s most technically advanced bike maker, so they’ll enjoy an unmatched technical advantage. It’s a first-year collaboration for Giant and Rabobank, and it’s already seen success with Menchov’s powerful victory in this year’s Giro.

On road stages Menchov and his team will ride Giant TCR Advanced SL frames, which are seemingly purpose-built for exactly this type of racing with incredible pedaling stiffness, amazingly low weight, and a compliant ride that will be a definite asset when it comes to fighting fatigue over three weeks of racing.

Besides Menchov’s bid for GC dominance, expect to see three-time world champion Oscar Freire using the TCR Advanced SL’s stiff compact frame to advantage as he defends the green jersey title he earned from last year’s Tour. And look for rising stage-racing star Robert Gesink to make his mark on the Tour—the 23-year-old Dutchman scored an impressive seventh-place finish at last year’s Vuelta, his first Grand Tour, and is looking to move up.

On time trial stages, Rabobank’s pros will be riding the world’s fastest bikes, fifth-generation prototypes that are faster, more-refined versions of the Giant TT bikes that debuted in 2008 and garnered national titles, Tour de France podiums and world championship victories. It’s a huge advantage that will pay dividends on Stage 18’s 40km time trial and Stage 4’s 39km team time trial.

This might be Giant’s first year with the Rabobank squad, but they’re a far cry from being the new to the scene. Giant is a veteran bicycle in the pro ranks, backed by a 37-year manufacturing history and more than 20 years of engineering experience with composite bicycles. It’s an unbeatable technical edge, and just the thing that could help put Menchov and Rabobank atop the final podium in Paris.