There are few tech days extra frenetic than the primary day of the Critérium du Dauphiné. Final 12 months we noticed two new bikes, which made for fairly a busy day. This time round we have seen 4 – a new Canyon Aeroad, a new Pinarello Dogma F, a new Wilier all-rounder, and a new Trek Madone/Emonda.
The final on this listing did not take lengthy to rack up its first victory of the season below former world champion Mads Pedersen.
In his submit race press convention he remained tight lipped, with a agency “No remark” to my inquisitions, however I used to be lucky sufficient to spend 5 minutes with the bike on the end line whereas Pedersen fulfilled his submit race duties and went as much as the rostrum to gather a technicolour array of jerseys.
We will glean loads from the photographs, although the intentionally obfuscative label on the highest tube, which is each ‘Madone’ and ‘Emonda’ overlaid atop one different, offers us no additional clue as to what this bike is.
Here is the brand new Madone/Emonda. It is clearly a slimmed down Madone, or a much bigger, extra aero Emonda… who’s to say at this level. No matter it’s, it isn’t doing an excellent job of hiding in plain sight because it’s taken a victory on its first day of racing. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Inside these uncommon bottle cages are normally housed aero bottles. These successfully increase the underside bracket space midway up the down tube in airflow phrases, so are most likely of giant profit, even when they’re doubtless extra fiddly to place the bottles again into. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Beneath the underside bracket there is a black cowl, presumably for a Di2 battery for anybody utilizing Shimano. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The brand new Sram Purple disc rotors are extra aero and extra vented than the outgoing ones. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The cockpit seems to be similar to that of the present mannequin, so which will nicely not be new. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Mads is a fiend for utilizing 1x setups, and at present was no completely different. Whereas we suspect the biggest sprocket was not often used within the stage, it got here in useful for wending his method by the gaggle of workforce employees and journalists. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Here is the curious factor… Within the early season PEdersen, like the remainder of the workforce, have been conspicuously utilizing prototype Pirelli tyres, arrange tubeless. Now that these have been launched, Pedersen has switched again to the previous Pirelli P-Zero Race tyres, which are not tubeless, and is operating them with (presumably) latex tubes. My solely guess is that he valued the added puncture safety within the early season over the cobbles, and needs to maximise his wattage now – latex tubes are barely sooner than tubeless. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
No matter it’s, as a motorcycle nerd I do just like the look of it. It is obtained a purposeful stance, however with out the all-out aero of the present Madone. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The IsoFlow gap within the seat tube stays. It is doubtless, together with the aero bottles blocking the decrease half of the body, that it is much more efficient now. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
For an aero cockpit the bars are remarkably slender proper up till they be a part of the stem. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
There’s room for extra rubber up entrance. Given this may doubtless be used within the Classics subsequent 12 months count on it to have clearance for a minimum of 32c tyres. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
A brief nostril saddle for the Danish quick man. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The curve of the drops is as per the present cockpit too. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
Built-in cockpits lack the stunning size notation that made our lives really easy. I feel that is about 120mm lengthy although. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
The IsoFlow gap successfully turns the seat submit right into a cantilevered setup, which means that bend has to bear the complete weight of the rider, plus deal with any bumps that multiply that pressure. (Picture credit score: Will Jones)
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