TakeWorlds2 weeks ago
Pidcock swapped Zipp for Partington wheels at Worlds, finished 7th
Tom Pidcock used Partington R-Series wheels instead of his team's sponsored Zipp 454 NSW during the men's elite road race at the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal on September 27, 2026. His trade team, Pinarello-Q36.5, is officially sponsored by Zipp, but riders are technically allowed to use different kit at Worlds because they represent their nation rather than their trade team. Pidcock finished seventh.
The Partington R-Series wheels weigh 1,200g against 1,428g for Pidcock's usual Zipp 454 NSW, a saving of 228g, and use carbon spokes rather than Zipp's steel spokes. Pidcock ran two versions of the Partington R-Series, both with 50mm-deep rims, an internal rim width of 23mm designed for a 30mm tyre, and paired them with Vittoria Pro Corsa tyres in 30mm. The wheels use a floating bearing architecture and hubs with 68 points of engagement. Peter Nicholson of Double Digital Communications, Partington's marketing agency, said Pidcock chose the wheels «for their balance of power transfer, low weight, and aerodynamics.»
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