Evenepoel's Specialized time trial prototype has been spotted

A few weeks ago, a leak from Remco Evenepoel's close circle indicated that Specialized was developing a new time trial bike for the Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe team, aiming to have it ready in time for the team time trial that will open the Tour de France 2026 in Barcelona. Now, we have seen it for the first time.

Specialized reveals Evenepoel's secret weapon for the Tour: the prototype of his new time trial bike appears for the first time

The first images of Evenepoel on the time trial bike he will use in the Tour show a clearly new prototype bicycle.

Although it has not been seen in detail, the images allow us to identify several differences compared to the current Shiv TT, a model that has been the brand's reference for time trials for years.

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The most obvious modification appears in the rear area of the frame. The seat tube hugs the rear wheel much closer, reducing the gap between the two elements to optimize airflow. Additionally, the back of the frame extends beyond the stays, a solution that recalls some of the industry's most recent aerodynamic trends.

A new seat attachment system completely integrated into the seat post also stands out. The traditional clamp disappears, and the entire structure looks much cleaner, eliminating material exposed to the wind and improving aerodynamic efficiency around the cyclist's legs.

In the front area, everything points to the evolution being primarily focused on reducing aerodynamic drag without altering the riders' position, as Kloeck had previously indicated.

A new Roval wheel to complete the package

The bike has not arrived alone. Along with the new frame, an unprecedented front Roval wheel with an extremely deep profile has also been seen, close to 90 millimeters according to initial estimates.

The wheel incorporates carbon spokes similar to those used in the latest Rapide CLX Sprint and seems specifically designed for time trial events, aiming to extract every possible aerodynamic gain.

All of this is part of Specialized's internal program “Project Black,” an initiative through which the brand uses its professional riders to develop and test products before their commercial launch.

Yellow as the first objective

The appearance of this prototype just days before the start of the Tour confirms how much Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has made the team time trial in Barcelona a strategic priority.

Evenepoel arrives at the race with the ambition to compete for the general classification against names like Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard, and starting the Tour with an advantage has always been one of the German team's obsessions.

If the improvements promised by Specialized translate into a few seconds on the asphalt of Barcelona, the new Shiv could debut in the best possible way: dressing Remco Evenepoel in yellow from the very first day of the Tour de France.