Mark Cavendish is the best sprinter of all time, that is probably not up for debate. He is gained extra dash levels on the Tour de France than anybody else in historical past, and is, on the time of writing, joint report holder for essentially the most stage wins general. Our Tech Editor, Josh, managed to seize his customized Wilier Filante SLR in the course of the opening week of the race to get the low down on what might be a historical past making machine. If he takes another stage win he’ll develop into the outright report holder for stage wins, a report that will take many years to fall regardless of Tadej Pogacar joking about coming for the report.
Whereas the remainder of his Astana Qazaqstan teammates trip concerning the simply identifiable ice-blue Wilier bikes, Cavendish has been given a barely much less seen, however far more distinctive Filante SLR to trip what can be his last Tour de France. In case you’re into professional bikes (in fact you’re, otherwise you would not be right here…), then we have additionally shot a slew of others from the opening levels, together with the extremely bling Trek Madone of Mads Pederson, Mathieu van der Poel’s Canyon Aeroad, Ben O’Connor’s prototype Purple Bull BMC, and (present) yellow jersey holder Jonas Vingegaard’s Cervelo. For now, although, let’s dig into Cav’s bike.
The Filante SLR is the aero bike in Wilier’s vary, although it is not practically so radical in its type as others within the section. The tube shapes are average, not deep, so it has the look of what we’d collectively consider as a ‘regular’ street bike. One factor that is notweworthy and more and more unusual is the traditional drop of his bars. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
At 1.75m Cavendish is not the tallest of the dash cohort, that means he has a smaller, extra aero frontal profile. It additionally means he can use a smaller body measurement, too. Word the quick head tube, for a really low entrance finish; helpful for his sprinting model the place he is very a lot over the entrance of the bike. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
No chain catcher is fitted on the within. Cavendish clearly trusts his mechanics to arrange his Di2 entrance derailleur correctly. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
Older mannequin, tubular Vittoria Corsa tyres glued to deep Corima wheels. This setup was principally for the photographs although, as we have seen Cavendish utilizing HED wheels and new Corsa Professional tyres following the group’s swap to HED as wheel sponsor. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
The form of this Prologo saddle seems to be like a Nago or a Zero, however there is not one on this colourway on the model’s web site, so it could be an upcoming mannequin, as but unreleased. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
Textured paint ties in with the remainder of the group bikes, however as an alternative of a crystalline, ice-homage, Cavendish will get extra of a marble texture over nearly all of his body and forks. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
As per the remainder of the group bikes, the built-in bar-stem cockpit additionally will get the customized paint remedy, one thing we hardly ever see within the peloton because it does add grams. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
Due to the new gear registration guidelines we now see each bike with a scannable chip caught someplace inconspicuous. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
The place have all of the vowels gone? In his defence, Mrk Cvndsh was one of many first to delete the vowels from his title to identical some grams. Marginal beneficial properties do not come far more marginal that that. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
Tacx Deva bottle cages deal with his hydration stations (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
This practice SLF derailleur cage in full God Save The King mode additionally did not appear to function on his bike as soon as the racing began, however it’s clearly a customized contact nonetheless. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
170mm cranks for the Manxman, together with Look Keo 2 Max Carbon pedals (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
An 11-30 cassette ought to assist as soon as the mountains loom giant and, inevitably, Cavendish settles into the Grupetto with the opposite sprinters as they attempt to make the time lower. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
54-40 Chainrings, with an built-in energy meter, is customary fare, however nonetheless bigger than most of us could be snug turning regularly, particularly when issues get hilly. (Picture credit score: Josh Croxton)
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