Three-time cyclocross world champion Zdenek Štybar will once again race cyclocross this year to prepare for the 2020 road season. The 33-year-old Czech rider is scheduled to race at eight CX events this winter and Specialized have created a unique CruX for him to race on.
Štybar’s ‘frozen ground’-breaking S-Works CruX
The paint job for Štybar’s new steed was designed by senior graphic designer Tom Briggs and is inspired by the ‘frozen ground’ of Stybar’s Czech Republic training grounds. Briggs noticed how the ice, snow and pine needles of the area interact in the winter and created the beautiful cracked texture off the back of this.
“I wanted to tie back to his roots and show the success he’s achieved in these uncomfortable conditions. We used a crackle effect in the paint that I thought was an accurate representation of the frozen pine needles on the ground.”
The Czech rider was given a few options but decided to go with the colourway that best matches his Deceuninck-QuickStep kit. He will perch upon an S-Works Toupé saddle and the bike is equipped with a Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Di2 groupset in a double chainring setup, Roval CLX 50 Disc wheels with 33mm Dugast tyres stamped with the rider’s name.
The highest praise comes from Štybar himself, who says: “I think it’s the nicest bike I ever had.”
He can be seen racing at IKO cyclocross-Essen, Superprestige Zondhoven, Sint Niklaas cross, the UCI World Cup Heusden-Zolder, DVV Trofee Loenhout, Superprestige Diegem, Bredene and DVV Trofee Baal.
Winter is cyclocross season so it’s time to see what racing steeds are out there to help maximise your potential.
2020 S-Works CruX
If you have been keeping an eye on all the cyclocross so far this season, you will have noticed Tom Pidcock and his TRINITY Racing teammates bossing it on the 2020 S-Works CruX. The top of the range model is the crème de la crème of the CruX range and features the lightest components available for maximum performance, including a 1x groupset, aerodynamic, mud-shedding Roval CLX 50 clincher disc wheels, the S-Works Power Cranks power meter, and an S-Works carbon seatpost and handlebars. All areas of racing have been taken into account too – the CruX geometry has been designed for easy shouldering, while the low bottom bracket and sharp front end combine to optimise handling in corners and off-camber sections. There is stiffness in all the right areas and a lowered seat collar to cushion big impacts. No wonder Pidcock has been on fire.
2020 CruX Expert
The Expert is exactly what it says on the tin – a cyclocross bike built by and for experts. The brains behind the S-Works have also been implemented here with similar geometry, clearance and stiffness helping to provide maximum performance. The Expert is fitted with the ever-reliable SRAM Force 1 hydraulic disc groupset, lightweight Roval C 38 Disc carbon fibre wheels, and 2Bliss Ready 700x33mm Trace pro tyres, ready to take on the toughest terrains and conditions, provided you get the pressures right!
2020 CruX Elite
The Elite is back once again and this time in beautiful gloss chameleon or rocket red and black. The Elite is set up with the SRAM Rival 1 hydraulic disc groupset, DT R470 Disc wheels and 2Bliss Ready 700x33mm Tracer Pro tyres.
The S-Works CruX enables you to race like a pro. Check out the full Specialized CruX range here.
