Up to 30 seconds faster: Evenepoel speaks for the first time about the new Specialized they’re developing

Remco Evenepoel has been working with Specialized for months on the development of a new time trial bike. The Belgian has already competed with different versions of the prototype and now, for the first time, has quantified the improvements he believes he has achieved. According to his own calculations, the new Specialized Shiv TT could allow him to gain up to 30 seconds in certain time trials, a difference that is especially important ahead of the 2027 Tour de France, which will bring back the prominence of this specialty.

Evenepoel claims that the new Specialized Shiv is much faster and talks about a gain of 30 seconds

Evenepoel's involvement in the development of the new Specialized Shiv TT goes far beyond testing a finished bike. The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider has been participating in its evolution for practically the entire season, and we have been able to follow much of that process.

The first signs of the new model appeared during his training camps in Sierra Nevada. Then came the Tour de France, where he competed with an initial prototype, and later the World Championships in Montreal, where we saw the new Specialized Shiv TT again with some changes compared to previous versions.

His participation in the project is such that, as soon as the season ended, he traveled to California to continue working at Specialized's facilities. There, in addition to testing in the Morgan Hill wind tunnel, he took the opportunity to scout part of the course for the time trial at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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Now, during an interview on the official Specialized podcast, Evenepoel has explained for the first time what this new bike really means in terms of performance.

"I truly believe that in long time trials, and in certain time trials with many high-speed sections, I have gained 30 seconds solely thanks to the bike."

The Belgian has no doubts about the evolution of the model and adds that "it is a really, really big improvement compared to the previous bike."

The figure is particularly striking because it comes from the rider himself, although so far no comparative test data has been published to verify that time savings. It also does not mean that the new Shiv will automatically provide a 30-second advantage on any course.

In addition to aerodynamics, Evenepoel highlights another aspect he considers fundamental: the bike's handling in corners. After using it on the technical course of the World Championships, he finished particularly satisfied with its stability.

"In the corners, I had a lot of confidence. The bike was very stable underneath me," he explained.

This is an important improvement for a specialist like Evenepoel, who needs to maintain high speeds without losing confidence when direction changes come.

The 2027 Tour de France will have 71 kilometers of time trial and Evenepoel wants to take advantage of them

These statements come to us after learning about the official route of the 2027 Tour de France, where the organization has prepared up to 71 kilometers of individual time trial spread over two stages, the largest accumulated distance since 2012.

The first will be in the seventh stage, on July 9, with 38 kilometers between Blois and Chambord on a practically flat course. The second will arrive on July 20, with 33 kilometers around Toulouse and a demanding climb at its final part.

Evenepoel has already studied both routes and believes they fit perfectly with his characteristics. Regarding the first time trial, he highlights its long straights and the possibility of maintaining very high speeds.

"It's something that should really suit me well," he assures.

The Belgian's goal is not limited to achieving new stage victories. His intention is to use those 71 kilometers to open significant gaps against his general classification rivals, especially Tadej Pogačar, before the major mountain confrontations.

To achieve this, he considers it essential to arrive at the two time trials as fresh as possible and to use them to mark differences. He also hopes that starting the major mountain stages with a time advantage can provide him with some psychological comfort.

The route presents another detail that he finds favorable: there will only be three mountaintop finishes.

"With those time trials, the somewhat more explosive stages at the beginning, and only three mountaintop finishes, it's a route that suits me more than one with ten mountaintop arrivals, for example," he explains.

The bike can help, but Evenepoel knows where he needs to improve

Despite his confidence in the new Shiv, Evenepoel acknowledges that the bike will not be enough to win the Tour.

The Belgian, second in the general classification of 2026, believes he still needs to take a step forward to maintain the level he is capable of achieving in his best performances over three weeks.

His victories in the time trials of the World Championships and the Chrono des Nations are precisely the example of what he aims to achieve.

"What I now consider a very good performance is what I would like to turn into my usual level," he explains.

Evenepoel believes he has already made progress in this aspect, but he knows he will have to be much more consistent to compete for the general classification against the best climbers.

Meanwhile, Specialized continues to develop a bike that has not yet been officially presented. And while we will have to wait to know the real figures of its aerodynamic improvement, the feelings of the main person responsible for testing it are compelling.

With 71 kilometers of time trial in the upcoming Tour, any aerodynamic advantage can have considerable value. Evenepoel is convinced that his new Shiv can provide it.