Quick-Step team riders appeared at a Lidl grocery store ahead of the start of the 2018 Tour de France. Fernando Gaviria’s Specialized S-Works Venge ViAS waited for him outside in the parking lot. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comSpecialized officially announced the new Venge shortly before the start of the 2018 Tour de France. It’s a totally different animal from the previous Venge ViAS model. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comWhile the focus of the bike’s design remains aerodynamics, it’s clear the new Venge looks (and likely feels) a lot more like an all-around racer. The tube shapes aren’t as dramatically airfoil-shaped as the previous generation. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comThe dropped seat stays remain. This is largely a compliance feature but also improves aerodynamics. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comSpecialized says the Venge ViAS will only be available as a disc brake-ready bike. No rim brakes on this aero bike, so expect Quick-Step riders to be rolling on discs throughout the Tour. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comThis is Gaviria’s actual race bike, and it was equipped with an 11-28 cassette. It’s easy enough to change cassettes out based on conditions, but it’s likely that’s what he’ll be riding for the early stages of the Tour. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comStems and handlebars have evolved rapidly within the aero category. While fully-integrated bars and stems are fastest in the wind tunnel, adjustability is nearly impossible. So Specialized has gone with a two-piece cockpit that still features plenty of integration and aerodynamic shaping. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comThe handlebar tops are flattened to reduce aerodynamic drag. The computer mount also integrates into the cockpit system, and it’s metal, not plastic. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comSpecialized kept the deep aero shaping of the seatpost. It reduces drag but doesn’t do much to increase compliance. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comGaviria’s 53/39-tooth equipped Dura-Ace crankset has already seen a fair bit of use, it seems. The orange finish adds a nice touch of flair to the power meter. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comGaviria’s backup Venge was on display inside the grocery store. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comPick up some bread, cheese, celery, and a Venge. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.comGaviria fielded questions about his goals for the 2018 Tour de France at a press conference inside a Lidl grocery store in La Roche-Sur-Yon, France. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
Weekly Newsletter
Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered daily to your inbox.
