Mikel Landa makes his debut in gravel with this Specialized Crux

The Alavés takes advantage of his stay in Madrid, on the occasion of his participation in the Spanish Cycling Championship, to receive from the people of Specialized Spain a brand new Specialized Crux, the most sporty gravel and cyclocross bike from the brand that Mikel Landa hopes to be able to use soon to discover the possibilities offered by this discipline.

Landa tests his new Specialized Crux at the Bola del Mundo

Specialized Spain has made available to the popular cyclist from Soudal-QuickStep, a team that uses bikes from the Californian brand, a unit of the Specialized Crux, the mixed-use cyclocross, gravel bike that brings the sportiness of their Tarmac road bikes to a machine designed to maximize performance off-road.

Taking advantage of Mikel Landa's presence in Madrid to participate next Sunday in the Spanish Cycling Championship, which will take place in the town of San Lorenzo del Escorial, the Alavés picked up his new bike and was able to take his first pedal strokes on it ascending the tough Bola del Mundo.

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An ascent where the great lightness of the Specialized Crux is appreciated, with a frame of 725 g. "The bike has been a discovery, it is very, very fun. I had not yet tried much Gravel, and less with a bike of this quality. I found a super light bike, very similar to the Tarmac SL8 that we use in competition, but at the same time very capable of absorbing all kinds of terrains," he explained after testing it on the tough climb that leads to one of the most privileged viewpoints in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The choice of this climb is not random as Mikel has been concentrating at altitude in the Puerto de Navacerrada for several days finalizing his preparation for the Tour de France where he will be Remco Evenepoel's trusted man in the mountain stages. After trying out the Specialized Crux, Landa pointed out "Thanks to its wide range, the bike made the climb seem like a walk in the park. Also on the descent, which is horrible with a road bike. I can't wait to have more free time to discover new places that I haven't been to with a road bike so far.".

Mikel Landa's Specialized Crux is equipped with the fast Specialized Pathfinder tires in a 42 mm version, the best compromise between speed and grip. The transmission is handled by the new Shimano GRX in a 40-tooth single-plate configuration and a 10-45 cassette that offers more than enough development to tackle any slope no matter how tough. Also noteworthy in the assembly is the specific gravel handlebar Roval Terra, with a very generous 12° flare and a very reduced drop; as well as the Roval Terra carbon seatpost that adds extra absorption thanks to a flex capacity of up to 20 mm.

Specialized Crux Mikel Landa: technical specifications

• Frame: Specialized Crux FACT 10r Carbon
• Groupset: Shimano GRX RX820. 40-tooth chainring, 10-45 cassette
• Wheels: Roval CL
• Tires: Specialized Pathfinder 700x42c
• Handlebar: Roval Terra
• Stem: Roval Alpinist
• Seatpost: Roval Terra
• Saddle: Body Geometry Power