What appears to be the new Specialized Tarmac SL9 was spotted during a Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe training session

The next generation of Specialized's most important bicycle may have been revealed ahead of schedule. An image shared on social media by Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe itself has unveiled what appears to be a prototype of the future Tarmac SL9, the bicycle that is set to succeed the current Tarmac SL8 and is already racking up test kilometers in Sierra Nevada.

The photograph, initially published by the team's photographer on his personal account and later deleted, showed several images from a specific training session for the team time trial that will open the 2026 Tour de France in Barcelona. However, what caught attention was the black bicycle placed on the roof of one of the support cars.

Although the image does not provide many details, it does allow us to identify that this is not the current Tarmac SL8, but it does seem to be an evolution of it. The most striking element is a new junction area between the fork and the head tube, considerably bulkier and deeper. Additionally, the fork legs seem to extend further forward relative to the steering axis, a solution that matches the leaked renders from a few days ago and points to an aerodynamic evolution of the set.

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Another detail that reinforces the theory that this is a completely new bicycle is the design of the seat tube, which now wraps more around the rear wheel.

When asked by Cyclingnews, Specialized did not explicitly confirm that this is a new Tarmac, but neither did they deny it. The brand responded by explaining that they regularly use their professional riders to develop and test advanced products in the pre-production phase within a program called “Project Black.”

According to the company itself, some of these developments eventually become commercial products. A response that, far from quelling rumors, has served to further fuel speculation about an upcoming presentation.

With the 2026 Tour de France just weeks away and a team time trial as the first stage, it would not be surprising if Specialized took advantage of the preceding races like the Tour de Suisse or the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to put the first specimens of this possible Tarmac SL9 into competition.