A new 13-speed Shimano Dura-Ace is already racing at La Vuelta

Shimano has been dropping hints about a next-generation Dura-Ace for months, but the 2026 Vuelta a España has finally allowed us to see it in action. Several Alpecin-Premier Tech bikes are competing with a prototype that aims to be the new Shimano Dura-Ace R9300 Di2 and the group is making the leap from the current 12 to 13 speeds.

The Shimano 13-speed Dura-Ace is already competing in La Vuelta

The images that allow us to see it in considerable detail have been shared on X by Lukáš Ronald Lukács, who has shown one of the team's bikes equipped with this new transmission. In them, the 13-cog cassette is clearly distinguishable, along with new shifters, a revised crankset and power meter, and a rear derailleur that still seems to be in prototype phase.

Thanks to Quentin I could have the look before everyone else at new Shimano 13-speed Dura Ace… and now you can too.

The prototype features a new 13-cog cassette, updated shifters and power meter, while Shimano appears to be sticking with its semi-wireless Di2 setup. The… pic.twitter.com/RChfjN3F7y

— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucxsronald) August 27, 2026

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The appearance of this prototype represents a significant leap from all the hints that had been appearing over the last few months. As early as late 2025, a Shimano patent described an electronic transmission with a 13-cog cassette and a new solution for the derailleur attachment. And more recently, a commercial listing of some DT Swiss wheels included among its options a mysterious hub called "Shimano 13-speed". Now we see for the first time a 13-speed Dura-Ace ready to compete.

A 13-cog cassette that could debut a new hub

The most obvious element is the cassette. The images allow us to count the 13 cogs, although it is still not possible to determine with certainty what its final gearing will be.

One of the big unknowns is precisely in the small cog. The possibility that Shimano uses a 10-tooth cog is gaining strength, but it cannot yet be confirmed. If so, it would also help explain the appearance of that supposed specific hub for Shimano 13v that was leaked weeks earlier.

The move would make sense within the recent evolution of the brand. Shimano already debuted 13 speeds in MTB with the latest XTR and its 9-45 cassette, while in road cycling it would have to find a solution adapted to the needs and developments specific to this discipline.

What does seem evident is that adding a cog will allow Shimano to increase the available range or, probably more importantly in road competition, maintain similar gear ratios while reducing some of the jumps between cogs.

New shifters with an additional button

The shifters have also changed, although they maintain a recognizable silhouette compared to the current Dura-Ace R9200.

The main visible novelty appears in the inner area of the rubber, where Shimano has added a new side button accessible with the thumb. Instead of relying solely on the small integrated top button under the rubber found in the current generation, this new control stands out much more clearly.

Its final function is still not confirmed. In a Di2 system, it could be configured to control different functions of the transmission or associated devices.

The new Dura-Ace would still be semi-wireless

Perhaps one of the most unexpected details is precisely that the prototype maintains a cable connected to the rear derailleur, which suggests that the next Dura-Ace will retain a semi-wireless architecture similar to that of the current R9200, with the front and rear derailleurs connected via cable to a battery located inside the frame.

This is particularly striking after Shimano has opted for completely wireless transmissions in its latest XTR and GRX generations. Everything pointed to the idea that this same philosophy could be transferred to the next road group, but at least the prototypes used in La Vuelta do not do so.

This also has advantages. A central battery with greater capacity allows for high autonomy and avoids installing independent batteries on the derailleurs, keeping both components relatively compact. In exchange, the setup still requires internal wiring and the bike must be connected directly to the charger.

In any case, it is worth remembering that we are seeing development material and there is no confirmation that this configuration is exactly what will go into production.

Shimano retains aluminum cranksets

Another element that retains much of the current philosophy is the cranksets. Shimano seems to remain faithful to aluminum instead of following SRAM and Campagnolo's path towards carbon in their top groups.

Its appearance clearly resembles the current Dura-Ace, although the prototype lacks the final decoration and debuts a new power meter design.

It is also interesting to observe the chainrings mounted on the photographed bikes. They do not seem to be the usual Dura-Ace chainrings perfectly integrated visually with the crank spider, but components whose mounting leaves covers over the screws visible.

This may simply be due to the experimental nature of the set and does not allow us to draw conclusions about what the final chainrings will be like or about a hypothetical Shimano bet on 1x configurations in road cycling.

In any case, a new Dura Ace is on the way, and we are sure to continue hearing news about it in the coming months.