Factor launches the MONZA VEXX Edition for the Paris-Roubaix 2026

Just a few hours before the Paris-Roubaix 2026, Factor has unveiled one of the most eye-catching bicycles we will see in the velodrome. The British brand presents a special edition of its MONZA designed by Belgian artist VEXX, a combination that not only aims to stand out visually but also meets the extreme demands of the Hell of the North.

Factor bets on design in the cobblestones with the new MONZA VEXX

The MONZA is a bicycle designed to maintain speed and control on unpredictable surfaces, where the balance between stiffness, absorption, and stability makes the difference. To achieve this, the carbon layup has been adjusted to offer power transfer without losing filtering capability, a key aspect on cobblestone sections.

In previous tests, the model has already left clear impressions within the Human Powered Health team. Magnus Bäckstedt, sports director, explained after the reconnaissance that “when Factor gave us the option to use the MONZA, it was clear to our riders during the reconnaissance that it was the fastest bike on the cobblestones.” The Swede, winner of the Paris-Roubaix in 2004, added that “having experience on the Roubaix cobblestones, I can confirm that the MONZA's absorption capability in the right areas, combined with its stiffness and aerodynamics, offers me even a completely new experience of what it feels like on these cobblestones.”

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Beyond performance, this special edition introduces an unusual element in the professional peloton. Factor has collaborated with VEXX, a Belgian artist known for his style based on dense, dynamic illustrations filled with details.

The design transforms the frame into a moving surface, with marked contrasts and fluid shapes that evoke the controlled chaos of Roubaix. It is not a casual choice. VEXX grew up in Belgium surrounded by cycling culture and the spring classics, an influence that is directly reflected in this collaboration.

The artist himself acknowledged the challenge of working on a bicycle. “I have been thinking for a while about designing a bike since I worked on designs for cars. Bicycles have always seemed to me the greatest challenge because there is not much space. Everything is three-dimensional shapes and dynamic situations; it has nothing to do with drawing in a notebook or on a canvas.” He also recalled his connection to cycling since childhood. “I remember watching races like the Tour de France or the Tour of Flanders when I was little. I know that cyclists go very fast, but I know that this design will stand out. Seeing professionals competing with a bike designed by me will be incredible.”

The MONZA VEXX Edition will not remain a display piece. It will make its competitive debut directly at the Paris-Roubaix 2026. In the women's race, it will be used by Lily Williams and Maggie Coles-Lyster with the Human Powered Health team, while in the men's event, it will be in the hands of Robin Carpenter and Ben Oliver with the Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team.

In a race where every detail counts and where the material is pushed to the limit, Factor aims to combine engineering and design in one of the most special editions of the MONZA. It remains to be seen if, in addition to being one of the most eye-catching bikes in the peloton, it will also be one of the fastest when the true punishment of the cobblestones begins.

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