Inside The Team Sky Race Hub | Vuelta a España 2017

[@chefarmstrong]

Being a chef myself, the kitchen was pretty amazing. The Rational oven is the best in the world. Price tag around $14,000 just for the oven. Completely worth it. Kudos

[@seanbailey317]

I like it, gets every1 around in a nice big group so even the support staff feel more a part of the team.

[@ElonMuckX]

And the staff has a better view up stairs.

[@louispang966]

This is such a great idea. Well done Team Sky in pushing the boundaries and challenging the status quo.

[@whitemountainbiking902]

Well done! To hear Sir Dave Brailsford liken cycling to other sports and wanting to provide a better interaction with the fan base is fantastic. To see such investment in the Team as a whole is great too, without a doubt the riders dig deep but so much goes on behind the scenes too. This facility can only enhance what is already a winning formula.

[@nigelw8575]

GREAT move by Team Sky. I am surprised that no team has come up with this any earlier. This will catch on very quickly and other teams will be following very soon I would imagine as it provides so much more space and allows riders and team to work closer than before when the team riders were stuck in the team bus.

[@DonnyDonnMendoza]

As mentioned in another comment somewhere here, this seems to be inspired by the hospitality suites of the Formula 1 teams but on a much smaller scale. Cycling teams (even one as big and highly-funded as Team Sky) budgets are a pittance in comparison to those of Formula 1 and Football teams ("soccer" and "grid-iron"/American-Football codes in particular).

[@ClassicalMMAChef]

No team has come up with it as Team Sky has the biggest budget. Maybe Bahrain Merida and UAE will be next.

[@edrcozonoking]

other teams may have thought of it...but did they have the budget?

[@47Seagull]

Norwegian Cross country Ski team has been using one like this for some years now. Other countries are following suite.

[@jeffdavis5841]

I think one of the issues besides budget is available space. If 4 or 5 teams get similar set ups space could be the limiting factor and the UCI could outlaw them...plus I'm sure other teams will possibly start complaining about the unfair advantage the SKY riders have because of this setup being available to them.

[@lucianonarno1408]

I think it's a great idea, it makes the riders and staff feel more comfortable. It provides an awesome space to work together and share more, which IMO makes the team (not only the riders) come together and feel at home. It's also a huge thing for sponsors as it draws a lot of attention to the team and therefore the brands supporting them. Overall, this gives Sky a bigger and more stable platform to grow.

[@SwedishHouseFifa]

Sky taking it to a new level again!!

[@JustAnotherDayToday]

Spend or Save. Spend! Oops wrong clip. 😂

[@NielsHeldens]

Looks like Sir. Dave has been watching Formula 1 again.

[@bertri15]

Who needs a house having this truck

[@NielsHeldens]

Bertran Guasch people who live in areas where storms are frequent.

[@timmobley6907]

This is the kind of class operation that says professional cycling is important and that we take care of our professional riders and staff.

[@pliniofilho4765]

What an amazing structure TEAM SKY provides to their athletes. I am quite sure I can say that they got the best pro's in and out of the roads. And that is the differential.

[@GordonMoat]

Best GCN unboxing ever!

[@juliewalls5804]

This is great! Wish all of the teams could do this! Nice place to meet the whole bunch before or after the race.

[@palmer3977]

YES defiantly a step forward somewhere for the fans to interact with the riders & improve the sport of cycling is fantastic, chapeau team sky.

[@wanderalmeida9584]

Wow! Go Team Sky! Thanks from Brazil.

[@Enskakuski]

That is seriously impressive! If they have the budget to do it, it's a great idea. I can easily see that helping the riders to get more comfortable and thus recovering better.

[@andrewgriffiths8859]

I love it. Formula 1 teams have been using them for years. Fantastic. TS at the forefront.

[@dailycharmaddict]

Oh, that was so interesting! I love seeing the nutritional side of things and am totally envious of having access to such a set up! Great tour! 👍🏻

[@destk9658]

Wow! Love the design/mechanical engineering that goes into designing such a thing. A step up from "container office". 👈

[@road5ter86]

epic stuff. wouldnt expect less from team sky :)

[@jakelakefield7618]

Great addition to the set up, this has been done in Formula 1 as well and I'm not surprised other sports are doing it now.

[@Andy_ATB]

It's a great bit of 'kit'. Thoroughly modern and very 21st century: which is what you'd expect from Sky. Sir Dave hit the nail on the head; Cycling is competing with other sports/ activities. Too many in cycling are in a time warp - no wonder big money sponsors are put off coming into the sport. Don't blame Sky for having a decent budget - and other teams haven't - blame the UCI for their governance of the sport.

[@Will-nn1dq]

Well said

[@Beibyface]

You can hate them all that you want, but I bet nearly all riders would wanna ride for them! This hub is amazing!

[@JMcLeodKC711]

That thing is the most baller thing of all time. I do like the fact that the riders area is on the first floor so that the riders do not need to climb any more steps than they need to.

[@ArtyYooo]

This reminds me of the scene where Malfoy and the Slytherin team show up with the new Nimbus 2001s.

[@briepuype9602]

Unboxing to the max!

[@erikbarone8184]

Such a amazing support vehicle/hub. Its starting to get like F1 at these bike races!!!

[@johnnyloco11]

This is great. Much like the ones you see in F1.

[@T4ToWeRz]

Wow, this will attract the best riders, an asset in more ways than one

[@greghenderson2216]

Sir Dave is from another planet, cycling is not in completion with other sports.People have always watched cycling and always will. The way Sky race is the thing that will reduce it's appeal.

[@hawkmantm465]

Absolutely brilliant. Agree with all Dave said.

[@WylieCoyote45]

It's no different to a race paddock hospitality suite. In fact Paul Bird Motorsport are selling theirs, M-Sport are selling their WRC service hub that is carried in four articulated trucks. Been wondering when we would see them in pro cycling. I guess the biggest hurdle is getting then setup, broken down and transferred in time. It's a thumbs up from me.

[@jamesdean2704]

How about unboxing one of those coffee machines one of these days?!

[@pichichipixx]

Please do Caja Rural and Manzana Postobon's team buses!

[@johnbouttell5827]

As marginal gains go, this is huge step forward

[@yatonhn738]

Pretty awesome. It would be amazing to have this to travel around in.

[@bondy284]

Like F1 on a different level. 👍🇦🇺✅

[@adventureadventure8796]

From a business cash flow basis, makes sense, reduces. costs for staff meals, meeting rooms etc. Maybe Sky should consider another one for accommodation, then the hotel bills could be reduced significantly and they have the control on location and comfort. Advances in technology and resources aren't always a bad thing.....

[@Michael00000001]

Adventure Quest (UK) 1. Not allowed. Hotels are part of the Tour and mandatory for all riders (no regulation for staff support). 2. Teams don't pay for the hotels - duty of organizer.

[@AndrewWatchorn]

Love the guy in the background grabbing his package at 0:49

[@whitestar0284]

Well f1 have had them for years it's nice to see cycling now doing the same hats off to team sky I hope the other teams can do the same

[@D.Eldon_]

Wow! Very impressive.

[@GNX157]

D.Eldon I

[@jamskof]

i think its a good positive step forward. team sky are leading the way and others will follow. this can potentially lure other big sponsors to want to compete with them, the sport needs more money.

[@btallin]

Out of all the bells and whistles the thing that stood out most to me is the team sky extra virgin olive oil.

[@bezdekonwt-velodromemag2726]

I thinking. This race hub is very good for cycling. Too more years. this race hub have all teams in pro peloton

[@frazergoodwin4945]

So if the bus was the Death star - is this race hub "Star Killer Base"?

[@minidini10]

I'd love to see a more in depth look at that kitchen, like where they keep the Jiffy bags etc.

[@superyamagucci]

That's freakin *awesome* !! I'd be happy to live in that with some furniture changes : D

[@annettefournier9655]

Awesome mobile building. I wonder if they hook up to the grid and sewer and is it also self sustaining with generators, fresh water and black and grey tanks as well?

[@mcharlesf6466]

Gotta admit, this is cool AF

[@hebertorios9290]

Amazing set up!!!

[@adamfarrelly6505]

The race hub is very simular to the f1 motor homes. But on a smaller scale

[@markg0410]

Any idea what their annual budget is? How many vehicles do they bring to a Grand Tour?

[@dishanmudhoo3719]

they flex so hard. i love it

[@SuperSuperlight]

You only have to look at F1 to see the vast differences between the top teams and bottom teams. It is vast and the teams with small budgets can not compete any more. Cycling is going the same way. If it is not careful we will see 2/3 teams dominating the calendar with the big names all signing for the big budget teams. Sky, who owns the team, can afford to spend millions as they are not dependent on a sponsor paying the bill. But it is the same in anything if you have the money and spend it wisely then you more time than not Win.

[@ollyole4560]

There has always been a huge difference between the top teams and the rest. Upgrades like this are modernising the sport, it won't be long until other teams do the same. That said recruitment needs to be looked at, stockpiling talent is bad for the sport. While I think a wage cap isn't the way to go as it hurts the riders. Maybe a UCI points cap might work

[@mikeward1979]

stuff like this has been in motorsport for years so not much of a surprise it moves into other areas. Also when you think something like this would cost £250,000 it not that high when a single bike is £10,000+

[@simonrano8072]

And they need a second truck to carry the hub furnitures and equipement. Huge convoy !!

[@petrub27]

yes, but is it aero?

[@gaj5701]

Damn, thought you were exposing the magnets in the wheels..

[@adamspinks125]

One word...awesome.

[@braenickeen6006]

how do they fit everything in that thing. wow bloody cool engineering

[@golddiggaaah]

And it was done in 3 weeks...

[@adambrown802]

I think the only problem is the two hours it takes to set up, other than that its great to see a team that puts the time and money into the sport to help pioneer and develop it. I'm sure in the next few years other major teams will try and do something similar.

[@SouthFloridaCycling]

Impressive, most impressive

[@flourcitybread2898]

Always interesting when an elaborate and expensive coffee station lacks a gram scale.

[@AnthonyLock92]

If they use it to engage fans I think this is a fantastic opportunity

[@mikerollason3269]

Thought it was a long time coming for Sky. But 2hr setup sounds like a lot of extra time, though imagine that can be done during stage?

[@Mindblower008]

You just got to admit. Pro 300%

[@arviealtavano1097]

Wow 😯 heaven in the sky

[@clubsport9118]

Where is the "TUE" pad -ready for immediate use / as required ?

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

we need a GCN hub - and then Si needs to do another unboxing for us to win it

[@phillrobinson9795]

I'm looking at the ford Transit custom for my next vehicle (just to your left at the end of the Video Dan); can you do a review on that too please?

[@ibenrom]

This thing is awesome😱

[@krisbowditch827]

👍👍👍 5 star 👍👍👍you only live once ... do it to the max 🍾🍾🍾

[@schapferriday]

The legs on Dans shorts are different lengths. Is this marginal gains?

[@lucianoserafino5872]

That would be really hard to get up those mountain top finishes.

[@harolds789]

Just like F1, though f1 uses them more for PR than a kitchen and staff. All the big F1 teams have multiple versions of these behind the pits.

[@Urgento22]

it's a great idea. it's just like what all the teams in Formula 1 use.

[@brandonweinert7954]

Team Sky has Optimus Prime working for them. Cool!

[@adamholbrook2281]

Is it a rule that they have to stay in lodging as selected by the race officials, or is it just a matter of time before they have their own mobile quarters as well? Pretty Amazing resource.

[@thormusique]

Fantastic bit of setup that is! Thanks for the tour, mate!

[@bphipps58]

OMG team Sky! How well funded are they??????!!!!

[@guest_informant]

I want to be a Sky Hater - but I can't. They clearly want to promote the sport, not just win races. They are very big on fan engagement, and popularising cycling in general. So more power to their elbows - and more excitement in their racing please.

[@bensydski5946]

Your pro team bough a new truck ? That's cute comparing to Sky house truck transformer.

[@dansneyd4646]

Can we have a tour of the FDJ race hub next?

[@mariusvermaak2918]

#AskGCN so from the comment on the hotels does that mean that the tour organizers decide where the teams stay during the tours?

[@mnbv5555cxz]

that is NUTS!

[@andrewherbert137]

Very F1 like

[@bourkey141]

its very Formula 1 inspired. I would like it if a few more teams had similar setups and then you would have a miniature version of the F1 paddock

[@GNX157]

If they don't open this thing up at every stage, what happens to the contents such as foods and liquids?

[@hbscouse]

Disappointing lack of integration of the "elephants" trunk vent duct on the front...very un Dave B.

[@jondashun]

Really impressive and nice. But somehow it's pure Sky privilege. :-D

[@budesmatpicu3992]

even the kitchen truck have to become SKYBORGish transformer

[@fransk4354]

Hi GCN, Should i go for carbon or alloy handle bar? #askgcn

[@miguelsaez340]

Cycling pro tour will look like a F1 paddock from now on

[@s9523pink]

Wild!!

[@sebwilson8398]

ayyyyyye

[@gofigures9]

Holy smokes. Marginal gains are getting more and more expensive!

[@hhtrichard]

Cycling is going the way of F1, it's bound to happen. :( I remember when F1 was approachable without a "fan focus point". It has to be good for the riders and the team but I wonder how there would be enough space for all the teams to have the same as Sky? If they follow the F1 route there will be a small trigger security event and they will have a bigger truck full of protective fences. GCN will be chasing the "access all areas passes" and for us fans all we will be able to see pre and post race is a distant glimpse. Only on the road will we be able to get near the cycling stars. Still, as most races are too far away for me to attend the only chance I get to see anything is via the likes of GCN, so thanks for the excellent coverage guys, and does it matter if we get better racing because the riders are better prepared and looked after?

[@tudajfor]

Marginal gains level MASTER!

[@Nexeq]

I really like the way team Sky think about all the other things around being a sports team and do what ever they can to improve the riders chances of winning. But i think there is a problem in this aswell. It kinda give the team with a big money tank an edge over teams with far less money on hand. Is i this a fair edge to get just because your on a rich team? I'm not here to decide, but i think its something UCI needs to think about.