Rafal Majka rode his Specialized Shiv to 31st place today in the Giro’s 40.5-kilometer time trial. This puts him in ninth overall heading into the second rest day of the grand tour. But the Polish rider is better suited for the high mountain stages scattered throughout the remaining days of racing. Photo: Kristen Legan
The Tinkoff mechanics were at Sunday’s stage 9 start and working hard long before any riders showed up. Photo: Kristen Legan
Rafal Majka rode his Specialized Shiv to 31st place today in the Giro’s 40.5-kilometer time trial. This puts him in ninth overall heading into the second rest day of the grand tour. But the Polish rider is better suited for the high mountain stages scattered throughout the remaining days of racing. Photo: Kristen Legan
Tinkoff riders ran Hed’s new GT3 three-spoke front wheels up front with Specialized TT tubular tires. The 46.5-millimeter deep GT3 rims have a 26.5-millimeter rim width that is most aerodynamic – according to Hed – with 21-23-millimeter tires. Majka was running 23-millimeter tires. Photo: Kristen Legan
Specialized’s Shiv uses a centerpull brake unlike many other aero bikes that tuck the front brake away inside the fork legs. The team mechanics are probably happy about this design detail since the hidden brakes can be a headache to work with. Photo: Kristen Legan
Majka opted for the Hed Jet Plus disc that features a spoke construction underneath a carbon skin. Photo: Kristen Legan
Majka’s Shiv was prepped and ready for him when he arrived late in the day for his TT effort. Photo: Kristen Legan
Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 shifters on the aero bars make changing gears quick and easy when tucked away in the aerodynamic TT position. Photo: Kristen Legan
Di2 shifter buttons on the basebar offer riders more options for shifting in any position. These are especially helpful on hilly courses — like the Giro’s up-and-down TT — where riders will likely climb in a more upright position with their hands on the basebar. Photo: Kristen Legan
Majka stands 5-foot-7-inches tall but he needs quite a few spaces between the base bar and aero bars to achieve his TT position. Photo: Kristen Legan
Despite the uphill segments scattered along the time trial route, Majka ran big, 54/42 chainrings, which gave him little opportunity to spin his legs up the climbs. But with seven fast, downhill kilometers to finish the day, the Tinkoff GC rider would need the bigger gears to stay in contention. Photo: Kristen Legan
An 11-25 casette makes for smaller jumps between gears so Majka can keep a steady rhythm throughout his TT effort. Photo: Kristen Legan
There are aero details for everything on Majka’s TT bike. Tinkoff used Tacx aero bottles and cages but it’s doubtful he would even take a sip during the race. Photo: Kristen Legan
Majka’s chain looked to have a paraffin coating. The wax reduces drag but it takes much more preparation than simply lubing a chain. The Tinkoff mechanics wouldn’t comment on the specifics of this wax treatment except that it was “something special.” Photo: Kristen Legan
Each Tinkoff bike was topped with a Prologo saddle of the rider’s choice. Majka uses the Zero II TT saddle with rubberized grippers on the nose to prevent slipping forward off the saddle. Photo: Kristen Legan
Weekly Newsletter
Get the latest race news, results, commentary, and tech, delivered daily to your inbox.
