Car for the cobbles: Team Sky’s modified Ford Mondeo

The gruelling cobbles of Paris-Roubaix are known for dishing out punishment to the riders and bikes that take place in the one-day classic, but spare a thought for the vehicles that support each team on its quest for success.

Ford recently published details on the latest support cars it built for Team Sky, along with the upgrades and modifications necessary to make the car ready for the cobbles. We take a closer look at the process below:

Choose the right base model

First up, Ford chose a model with a lot of space as standard: enter the 2016 Mondeo, albeit the range-topping Titanium version in the spacious estate (or station wagon, depending on where you’re reading this) body style.

Equipped with the 178hp version of Ford’s 2.0 TDCI engine, Team Sky’s Mondeos also get four-wheel drive – something that should well help on wet and uneven cobbles.

Lift and stiffen

Plates at the ready

Optimise the space

Thorough testing

Communication is key

It has to look the part

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