Improving our 2017 Tarmac was always going to be a challenge. We were proud of the work done on the previous model and the results it achieved at the highest level of WorldTour racing. The Tarmac has always been lightweight, stiff and ready to reach the finish line first.

Nevertheless, we wanted to continue to innovate and turned traditional design on its head to develop this S-Works Tarmac Ultralight.The result is the fastest machine we've ever made and a bike you'll love to ride.

We set ourselves the challenge of producing a Tarmac which was below 800 grams and through advanced aerospace optimisation software we were able to produce a super lightweight FACT 12r carbon fibre layup. You'll be thanking us when you dance away from your friends during your next trip to the Alps, or the Cotswolds. True to its name, the Tarmac Ultralight has a paint finish which adds a mere 10 grams to overall weight, courtesy of a brand new, exclusive technique developed by the Big S.

Using our Rider-First Engineered technology we were able to improve the feel of the bike while ensuring a super stiff performance. We further improved geometry by making alterations based on countless insights and rider feedback. The 2018 S-Works Tarmac Ultralight combines a responsive front end with a short wheelbase to deliver the ultimate performance; a highly reactive bike with optimal power transfer.

A leading road bike needs to be of the highest quality and we spent time looking at how to improve the balance between speed and comfort. We've built compliance into the upper 120mm of the seatpost and dropped the seat stays. We wanted to create lower pressures to provide decreased rolling resistance and added tyre clearance allows you to do just that. Our changes also led to increased traction and, ultimately, a more comfortable fit.

This lightweight Tarmac is a true racer, so we made sure it passed our aero tests with flying colours. After all, it has to be fit for the lofty ambitions of our riders at Bora-Hansgrohe and Quick-Step Floors. Without losing any of the Tarmac's hallmark characteristics, we were able to make changes that improved aerodynamics to the tune of 45 seconds over 40km.

It took a six-month iterative process, but we discovered that a new fork shape, aero tubes and a d-shaped seat tube held the key to making the difference between a glorious solo victory and being swallowed up by the peloton.

This Tarmac is kitted out with the ultimate lightweight component package including Shimano's new Dura-Ace 9150 Di2 groupset, Dual Mount direct mount brakes, featherweight Roval CLS 32s and 26mm Turbo Cotton tyres.

• Featuring our Rider-First Engineeredâ„¢ design that ensures every frame size has the same legendary climbing responsiveness and descending prowess you'd expect from a Tarmac, the S-Works FACT 12r frameset is our highest quality carbon frame, offering the ideal blend of light overall weight and targeted stiffness. This Ultralight iteration also features our 10g paint finish that saves every possible gram.
• S-Works full FACT carbon fork with a tapered construction provides incredible front end stiffness and steering response for instantaneous accelerations and high-speed descents.
• A 52/36T S-Works carbon fiber crankset delivers the ultimate in power delivery, with a chainring grouping that's equally suited to big alpine climbs as it is to throwing down the gauntlet on the flats.