The device Pauline Ferrand-Prévot wore on her back during the Tour de France Femmes was a circular sensor.
In a groundbreaking move for the world of cycling, the Visma-Lease a Bike women's squad has been utilizing a cutting-edge breathing sensor called Tymewear during the 2025 season. This innovative technology is set to redefine the way cyclists train and compete, offering insights that were previously only accessible through lab tests.
The Tymewear sensor, in the form of a heart rate monitor strap called VitalPro, is worn by the riders as a chest strap. The distinctive circular sensor, positioned under the rider's skinsuit, measures the cyclist's breathing patterns—specifically breathing rate, tidal volume (air per breath), and minute ventilation (total air breathed per minute)—in real time during training and competition[1][3][5].
The main purpose of this sensor is to provide detailed physiological data that goes beyond traditional heart rate monitoring. By accurately measuring ventilation (breathing), the sensor helps detect metabolic thresholds—transitions between aerobic and anaerobic effort zones—offering a more precise view of an athlete’s fitness and training zones than heart rate alone can deliver[1][3].
This innovative technology enables coaches and athletes to tailor training loads more effectively based on actual respiratory effort and metabolic responses rather than just heart rate or power numbers[3]. The sensor data can be streamed live to devices such as Garmin computers for real-time feedback during rides[5].
The Tymewear system also supports creating personalized training zones informed by heart rate, power data, and ventilation monitoring, which can improve the accuracy and effectiveness of training prescriptions[1]. The sensor data can provide insights that help coaches and athletes make informed decisions about training intensity, recovery, and race strategies.
The Visma-Lease a Bike team, known for being at the forefront of cycling technology, has embraced this technology wholeheartedly. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, a rider for the team, recently clinched a historic victory at the Tour de France Femmes, marking the first French win in a female version of the Tour since 1990[2]. It is unclear if the use of Tymewear played a role in her success, but the technology certainly offers the potential for enhanced performance management.
The VitalPro strap, priced at €299 or with a training membership at $150 per year, is available for purchase. Over the past several years, various smart wearables have entered the cycling and fitness marketplace, and the VitalPro sensor and app stand out for their ability to interpret data to help create improvements for the rider[6].
For those interested in learning more about the validation study backing the VitalPro sensor and app, the brand's website offers an interesting read[7]. As the world of cycling continues to evolve, it is clear that innovative technologies like Tymewear will play a significant role in shaping the future of the sport.
References:
- Tymewear
- Cycling News
- Bike Radar
- Road.cc
- Engadget
- BikeExchange
- Tymewear Validation Study
The Visma-Lease a Bike women's team, at the forefront of cycling technology, is using the Tymewear technology, a heart rate monitor strap called VitalPro, to gather detailed physiological data going beyond traditional heart rate monitoring during road cycling. This technology helps detect metabolic thresholds and offers insights for training and competition, enabling coaches and athletes to make informed decisions about training intensity, recovery, and race strategies.
