Chris Froome's latest win has got the world talking about cycling once again. Watching the 31-year-old Brit beat the best riders in the world has become as much a source of inspiration for thousands as it is a personal achievement for the man himself. In fact, by reaching the top of his sport for third time, Froome is inspiring a wave of new and seasoned cyclists to ask how they can post quicker times. 

To become a world-class rider requires more than natural talent, determination and training. However, pros like Froome, Chris Boardman and Chris Hoy also have something else on their side: technology. When manufacturers such as Pinarello and Trek put together a bike for Chris Froome or Lance Armstrong, they are trying to make it as slick as possible.

Riders like Froome have the luxury of pedaling some of the finest bikes on the market and a few little tweaks or innovations can often make the difference between a win and a loss. With this in mind, we've picked out three of the most impressive racing bikes ever built and outlined why they've helped riders like Froome score some major victories.

 
Chris Froome - Pinarello Dogma F8 

Photo: likesuccess.com
 

The current poster boy of British cycling, Chris Froome brings a combination of extreme athleticism and endurance to the track along with a bike that's built for a champion. After switching national allegiance from Kenya to ride for Great Britain in 2008, Froome gained critical acclaim in the sport.

Indeed, since making the switch and joining Team Sky, he has won the Tour de France twice and claimed two silver medals at the gruelling Vuelta a España. Now considered one of the greatest stage riders in Tour history, Froome has his pick of bikes and his current ride, the Pinarello Dogma F8, is helping to make him a favourite in any race he enters.

4.2 ounces lighter than its predecessor (its frame weighs just 30.33 ounces) and with a frame size of just 21 inches, the bike is not only incredibly light but incredibly fast. Using Jaguar's computational fluid dynamics - known as Exa PowerFLOW Aerodynamic Simulation - in combination with Toray T1100 1k Dream Carbon materials, Froome has a bike that is as fast as it is durable.

That combination makes it the perfect machine for the 2017 Tour de France, an event in which Froome is currently the betting favourite at 7/10, ahead of Nairo Quintana (4/1 odds). Of course, mechanics are no substitute for pedal power, but they will certainly help Froome when he lines up this year.

Chris Boardman - Lotus 108

Photo: lopro.blogspot.com
 

Britain's Chris Boardman literally broke the mould when he raced to victory at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on the Lotus 108. The reason this bike broke the mould, along with a slew of records, was two-fold. Boardman was a phenomenal cyclist in his own right who, aside from taking gold and breaking the world record in the 4,374-yard pursuit, won the yellow jersey at the Tour de France on three occasions.
 

However, in addition to Boardman's leg power, the Lotus 108 was an incredible machine. Designed by Mike Burrows and built by car manufacturer Lotus, the bike was deemed illegal by the Union Cycliste Internationale in 1987, but by 1990 its aerofoil cross-section design was accepted in professional races.

Bryan Steel first used the bike to take five seconds off his 2,187-yard time in 1992, before Boardman rode it to victory at the Barcelona games. The secret to the bike's success was its unique carbon composite monocoque mouldings which made it ultra-lightweight.

Additionally, the fork, with its single blade and single rear stay, gave the frame a uniquely low profile, with just over an inch in cross section, making it unlike any other bike on the track and extremely fast. While Boardman was undoubtedly a supreme athlete, his innovative bike was one of the major reasons he became a gold medallist.

Chris Hoy - Metron Advanced Equipment Ltd Track

Photo: bikehub.co.uk
 

Take one look at Chris Hoy (and his legs in particular) and you'll be able to see why he was able to power his way to three gold medals at the 2008 Beijing games. Crushing his opponents in the keirin, men's team and individual sprints, Hoy became the first British Olympian to claim three gold medals in one go in 100 years.

However, as well as his muscular frame, Hoy's equipment was designed for speed. His helmet and Lycra suit helped figure in the overall dynamics, but it was his bike that tipped the balance in his favour.

With Britain going cycling mad following Hoy's three golds, the BBC spoke to the man himself to get an insight into the specifications of a sprint cycle. According to Hoy, his Track bike weighed less than 15 pounds and featured a single gear fixed at the toughest setting. His skies (the downward facing handlebars) were set just below a 90-degree angle and worked with the saddle to put him in the most aerodynamic seating position.

The biggest difference between Hoy's bike and a standard road bike is the wheels. Instead of spokes, his machine used carbon fibre discs and solid tyres. This set-up is designed helped deal with immense pressure placed on the bike, improve its aerodynamics and propel Hoy to the quickest times possible.

As you can see, pro bikes are a world away from your regular two-wheeler and it's often the smallest differences that can mean the difference between first and second. Chris Froome's third Tour de France victory is no doubt a reflection of his talent, but it's also clear that technology has played a part in his victory.