In this new series, we take a look at what your favourite Specialized athletes ride. Naturally, we kick things off with the enigma that is Peter Sagan.
Sagan’s palmarès reads longer than a novel and he is one of the most iconic riders of the modern era. With a fierce finishing kick, keen climbing ability, confidence beyond belief on descents and bucket loads of bike handling skills, the Slovak is one of – if not the – most versatile rider of his generation.
He has done things on his bike that perhaps no one will ever repeat. Truly, therefore, an exceptional Specialized ambassador. In this article, we take a look at what he rides to victory and how you can emulate the three-time world champion.
Peter Sagan’s latest bike celebrates his victory in the Giro d’Italia points classification. This special S-Works Tarmac SL7 was given a deep pink recolouring to represent the maglia ciclamino. It truly is ‘one bike to rule them all’ having incorporated the aerodynamic features from the old Venge models. Sagan was able to win stage ten into Foligno and defend his jersey through the high mountains atop the same bike. Due to his stint in cyclamen, the Slovak has spent 148 days in a Grand Tour points jersey which is just three days shy of Sean Kelly’s record. He did it all aboard clincher tyres too, making it the first Grand Tour jersey victory for him on them.
With an integrated cockpit, Sagan uses a 140mm stem on S-Works Aerofly II bars. A Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset means the bike is responsive under his phenomenal power output. He rode on Roval Rapide CLX carbon fibre wheels for much of the Giro, only switching to Turbo RapidAir 28's on stage 13 to allow for a slightly wider tyre to take on the gravel roads of Tuscany.
Such is the 31-year-old’s stature in the sport and as a Specialized athlete, he has his own collection. Let’s take a look at this special S-Works Tarmac SL7 in a little more detail. The first place to start is with the bike’s unique colourway. The chameleon paint scheme that shifts from green to yellow on a piercing matte black reminds us of both Peter Sagan’s and the Tarmac SL7’s quite incredible versatility.
They are, quite simply, both a rider and a bike for all seasons. Using our FreeFoil Shape Library, we were able to construct an all-new Rider-First Engineered frame that combines aerodynamics and weight-saving techniques. The bike just about makes the UCI weight limit and performs just as well going uphill as it does downhill. Doesn't that sound like someone we know? Like Sagan's ciclamino winning bike, it comes with a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with a power meter and CLX Rapide wheels from Roval. With exceptional stability and aerodynamics to boot, they complement the Tarmac SL7 like a fine Chianti does a traditional Tuscan platter. The bike is also available with SRAM RED eTap AXS.
Although not a pure tester, Peter Sagan also gets the power down during time trials. More often than not he does this aboard an S-Works Shiv Disc. Taking aerodynamics to another level, the S-Works Shiv Disc is ready to take on any race against the clock right out of the box. With Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and hydraulic disc brakes, the power, consistency and reliability boxes are well and truly checked. The bike is also fitted with S-Works Power Cranks for that all-important data and has the super lightweight Roval CLX 64 Disc wheels ready to burn up the tarmac. Although it might not propel Sagan to many a TT victory, the Shiv certainly helps his TT specialist teammates Wilco Kelderman and Maciej Bodnar.
The unique colourway of the Sagan collection Tarmac SL7 is transferred onto the supremely comfortable S-Works 7 Road shoe. Sublime comfort, exceptional power transfer and classy style are guaranteed. Peter Sagan was wearing an S-Works Evade with ANGI crash sensor when he won stage 10 of the Giro, an ideal helmet for the needs of the race. Combining lightweight ventilation with aerodynamics, they are one of the most easily recognisable helmets in the pro peloton and are perfect for the world's best sprinters. In the mountains, the Slovak switched to the cooler Prevail II Vent. With a 20% increase in vented areas compared to its predecessor, the new design allows air to flow more efficiently throughout the helmet. This makes it ideal for those long days climbing in the beating sun. Naturally, Sagan's lid also got a maglia ciclamino makeover.
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To find out more about the bikes mentioned above, come down to one of our stores. Search out the Tarmac SL7 and quality Specialized components and start riding like Peter Sagan. Speak to one of our friendly staff members and learn all about the innovations we are making at Specialized.
