We got a look at Tadej Pogačar’s Y1Rs that he will ride for the 2026 Tour de France before the race gets underway in Barcelona.
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Updated July 3, 2026 11:34AM
When Tadej Pogačar started the 2025 Tour de France, he was riding the Colnago V5Rs, the team’s climbing bike. Ultimately, that move proved to be a misdirection. By the halfway point of the race, when the peloton reached the stage 13 uphill time trial, Pogačar switched to his stripped-down, aero-optimized Y1Rs.
Since then, he hasn’t turned back. The Y1Rs have become as synonymous with Pogačar as his rainbow jersey or Met helmet.
With the Tour de France starting this Saturday in Barcelona, we made our way to the UAE hotel, through the throngs of fans who somehow found the undisclosed location, and took a look at his bespoke Y1Rs that he’ll ride throughout the 19 road stages.
Quick hits from Tadej Pogačar’s Y1Rs
Pogačar has made the rainbows his own in more ways than one. Here is the rainbow bands with his personal branding mixed in. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Y1Rs frameset, size 54 cm
Shimano Dura-Ace groupset and pedals, with 56/44t Carbon-Ti chainrings
Enve 4.5 SES Pro wheelset
Carbon-Ti finishing parts, including derailleur hanger, various bolts, and thru-axles
Custom 3D-printed Fisik Argo
Continental GP5000 TT tires, 28mm
11-34t cassette
165mm cranks
36cm bars
Narrow bars and short cranks remain the same
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Tadej Pogačar has kept the same handlebars on his Y1Rs all year, as the bars are at the limit of the UCI allowable width that was imposed earlier this year. Since he burst on the scene in 2020, Pogačar has been a part of the generation of riders who have adopted the smaller bars as the understanding of aerodynamics has made it clear how important that can be.
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Likewise, Pogačar was the leading figure in the trend to shorter cranks. While others have taken it to even greater extremes, Pogačar has found his length at 165mm cranks. Those shorter cranks are paired with 56/44t chainrings, according to UAE.
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Oh, and Baby Hulk is back.
Will Pogacar ride the V5Rs at the Tour?
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Ultimately, bike selection falls into the category of strategy in this day and age of cycling. What bikes and wheels a team or rider uses can depend on what they are prioritizing on any given day. If this year is anything to go by, Pogačar will likely ride a Y1Rs every road stage, with only adjustments to the wheels. The days of true climbing bikes seem to be firmly on their way out, because even with the modifications to the Y1Rs, it was still measured at 7.25kg by Bike Radar. While that is light, it is 450 grams more than the limit. The V5Rs can get to the weight limit, but even still, aero makes the difference.
(Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
That, or we didn’t get our hands on Pogačar’s lightest Y1Rs. If you look closely, you can spot a #2 sticker on the back of the bike media had access to. That demarcation means it is the backup bike for the rider. Maybe, just maybe, the primary bike shaves a few more grams and makes the choice even easier to go aero every day.
Additional gallery
The Enve SES 4.5 Pro was debuted at last year’s Tour de France, and it remains the go-to all-around option for the UAE Team Emirates squad. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Despite a crash at the Giro where the UAE Team Emirates crashed en masse, Pogačar and his teammates have stayed committed to the 28mm Continental GP5000 TT tire. If it rains, perhaps that changes. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Carbon-Ti details dot the bike. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Wahoo provides the computer the nestled in the Colnago bars. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Pogačar returns to the custom 3D printer Argo saddle from Fisik that he rode last year. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
Chain freshly waxed, but perhaps could use a bit more wearing in. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
And last but not least, a little sticker to cover the exposed thru-axle outlet. (Photo: Logan Jones-Wilkins/Velo)
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