With more wins in recent years than any other bike manufacturer, it's impossible to deny that American outfit Specialized are in a purple patch right now when it comes to WorldTour tech. With key riders including the enigma that is Peter Sagan, reigning King of the Mountain's jersey winner Julian Alaphillippe and Italian sprint sensation Elia Viviani all riding Specialized bike's in this years tour, with thanks to Specialized, join us as we take you through some gratuitous shots of the steeds these men will pilot around the French countryside throughout the next month. Cue the drool and the bike envy
- Related Reading: Pro Bikes of the WorldTour 2019
Peter Sagan's Custom S-Works Venge
Arguably THE biggest name in world cycling right now, Peter Sagan lines up at the 2019 Tour de France as the hot favourite to take out his 7th (count em') green jersey in eight years. His bike of choice for le Tour 2019 is the recently revamped Venge, complete with a custom paint scheme. Much of the finishing kit is in line with his fellow Bora-Hansgrohe teammates as detailed in our 2019 Pro Bikes feature, save for his saddle of choice, the S-Works Romin EVO. The bike is built up with a full Shimano Dura-Ace 9170 Di2 disc brake groupset, Roval CLX 64 wheels wrapped in S-Works Turbo tubular tyres with Specialized providing the finishing kit including an S-Works seatpost, Aerofly 2 bars, and a pro-spec 145mm long stem.
Julian Alaphillippe's S-Works SL6 Tarmac Disc
The reigning King of the Mountain's jersey winner, French native Julian Alaphillippe is looking to go back-to-back in the race for the Polka Dot jersey this July, with his weapon of choice, the lightweight Tarmac SL6 Disc. Winner of Stage Three, Alaphillippe has proven to be one of the most versatile, and entertaining riders in the WorldTour peloton. He can climb with the best, win a bunch sprint, hold decent power in a time trial and descend like a man possessed, as such his ride should be versatile too. Shimano provides the shifting and power meter on the bike in the form of its Dura-Ace 9170 Di2 disc brake groupset while Specialized's in-house wheel brand Roval provide the rolling stock. The cockpit remains on-brand with Shimano's proprietary component brand PRO providing bars and stems. Bearings at the bottom bracket and wheelsets score a Ceramic Speed update.
Elia Viviani's S-Works Venge
Italian fast man and winner of Stage Four, Elia Viviani is the marquee sprinter of the Deceunink-Quickstep squad, and for the 2019 Tour de France, he's on the most aero efficient wind-cheating road bike the big S provides, the Venge. Updated 12 months ago, the Venge features one of the more aerodynamic frames in the peloton and is the most winningest aero bike amongst the current crop of race bikes. Elia runs a largely team spec bike which makes use of a full Shimano Dura-Ace 9170 Di2 disc brake groupset, Roval CLX64 carbon wheelset with ceramic speed bearings,, and an S-Works finishing kit.
Kasper Asgreen's Specialized SHIV TT Disc
All-new for the 2019 Tour de France, the SHIV TT is Specialized's time trial-specific aero bike, which is said to be the fastest (aerodynamically) in the peloton. The bike pictured was piloted by Deceuninck-Quickstep's Kasper Asgreen and in the Stage Two Team Time Trial and featured a team-specific build. sadly, Kasper crashed hard on stage three and looks unlikely to continue in this year's Tour. Shimano again provides the groupset with a TT variant of its 9170 Dura-Ace Di2 disc brake groupset, complete with a monstrous 58-46T chainring combination. Specialized's own in-house wheel brand Roval provides the wheelset, with a CLX64 hoop up front, and the super slippery Roval 321 carbon disc wheel at the rear. The team is sporting "Riding for Focus" decals on its rear wheels in support of Specialized's of the same name that aims to get kids with ADHD on bikes to help them cope with the condition.
Imagery courtesy of Specialized
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