If you're not planning on riding the Giro Rosa any time soon, but you're still on the lookout for a bike that can conquer both your local crit and weekend group ride the Women's Tarmac Disc Expert may just be that machine.

This year, to shift even more weight from our Tarmac without losing any of the stiffness or compliance, we improved our Rider-First Engineered technology scrutinising every aspect of the bike, even those you can't see with the naked eye. Along with the development of Performance Road Geometry influenced by the pros and countless Retl tests we were left with a bike that delivered the same instantaneous response, both in handling and acceleration, and optimal power transfer whatever frame size you ride.

To hone in even more on compliance, we designed a new seat post with more give' in the upper 120mm. We also dropped the seat stays and altered the seat tube shape, making the back end of the bike a whole lot more compliant, perfectly complimenting the super-stiff front-end. By adding more tyre clearance, space for up to a 30mm, we managed to make the Tarmac even more comfortable than before giving the rider the option to run lower pressures, and with it, decreased rolling resistance and increased traction.

Aero advancements were also made with the new Tarmac. We found three areas that needed improvement and went back to the drawing board to do just that designing a whole new fork shape, dropping the seat stays with aero tubes and adding a D-shaped seat post and seat tube for even more aero gains. A bike that's 45 seconds faster over 40km compared to other lightweight bikes in the same category tells us we did something right.

A list of no-nonsense, ready-to-race components feature on the Women's Tarmac Disc Expert to create a thoroughbred racer without the top-end S-Works price tag. Mechanical Shimano Ultegra shifting is as seamless as it is reliable as are the accompanying hydraulic disc brakes, a perfect option for wet weather riding. Roval C38 Disc carbon fibre wheels and a superlative Women's Power Saddle, with Mimic technology, complete the build creating a bike that is as adept at gliding up the steepest climbs, as it is at cutting through fierce headwinds on the long run back home.

• Our Rider-First Engineeredâ„¢ technology guarantees the same brilliant, super-responsive ride throughout the size range. While the FACT 10r carbon frame keeps costs low with no compromise on elite performance.
• Shimano’s mechanical Ultegra groupset provides the no-fuss shifting – a durable and reliable alternative to the electronic option with the same, super-stopping power of hydraulic discs.
• Roval C38 Disc wheels are lightweight, durable and ready to tackle any terrain you throw them on.