{"id":749194,"date":"2026-08-25T11:47:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T11:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/749194\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T11:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T11:47:09","slug":"vuelta-a-espana-tech-gallery-a-prototype-dura-ace-groupset-a-new-saddle-for-tadej-pogacar-and-a-special-custom-bike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/749194\/","title":{"rendered":"Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a Tech Gallery: A prototype Dura-Ace groupset, a new saddle for Tadej Poga\u010dar, and a special custom bike"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sun may have failed to penetrate between some of Monaco’s taller structures as riders navigated the tight twists and turns of the Vuelta a Espa\u00f1a’s<\/a> highly technical opening prologue, but the speeds were scorching.<\/p>\n

We were on the ground at the final Grand Tour of the year for stages one and two and, as per usual, were on the hunt for the race’s best tech.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar denied Ethan Hayter<\/a> a prologue victory by the narrowest of margins, and we took a good look at Hayter’s machine before the start; the Brit can be devastatingly quick in short time trials, and we had an eye on him.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, we spotted a new Dura-Ace groupset<\/a> in the wild for the first time, and we have images in the gallery below; it’s clearly not finished, but it’s the first time it’s been seen at a race. We will be following this one closely for you over the next few months.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, we spied a new time trial saddle for Tadej Poga\u010dar and took a look at a beautiful custom Spanish national champion’s bike along with a few other Spanish squads’ machines.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here is Hayter\u2019s TT machine; despite not being the latest Shiv we saw at the Tour, it very nearly won the stage. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

There was talk of slightly smaller chainrings being used on the short, technical course; Hayter went round it like lightning.\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Neatly integrated gear shift buttons for Hayter here.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Hayter raced on older Turbo Cotton time trial tyres, not the newer Cotton TLR models; this could be a size smaller than 28mm.\n<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Hayter\u2019s custom and slick-looking TT bar; his position looks super aero.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the bike of the man who denied Hayter a win, a certain Mr Poga\u010dar who rode a Colnago TT2.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Deep-section Enve wheel and TT tyres for Poga\u010dar.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the handlebar from behind; it must take a lot of hours to get truly comfortable and confident on a bike like this. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

And from the front, note the horizontal Colnago base bar, a key change for the latest TT2 time trial bike. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Poga\u010dar chooses grip tape for the base bar.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a sneaky look at the rear of the fork for you; nice UCI sticker placement. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the BikeOne aero threaded bottom bracket cup again. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This shot gives a real idea of the narrowness of that Colnago TT2 head tube. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

K-Edge makes custom chain guides for a lot of teams.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Carbon-Ti hanger matching the bottom bracket; check out the neat Di2 cable routing. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the arrangement from the side; pulley wheel bolts get swapped too. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This wheel and tyre are clearly for Poga\u010dar\u2019s bike and have been marked with a paint marker.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This is a different saddle to the one Poga\u010dar ran on his Tour de France TT bike and was a new one on us. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

The carbon rails are big and chunky at the back. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Turns out this is a custom version of the Aeris LD R1 light with thinner padding. Fizik told us Poga\u010dar had requested a lighter option.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the POC TT helmet that first appeared at the Tour; TT lids are not getting smaller. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a bike from the Burgos Burpellet BH squad. It\u2019s nice to look at non-WorldTour equipment, and this front end was very clean. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This was another different front end for another rider, displaying a clear attention to detail. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

The team races on the aptly named BH Aero TT model.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Get ready for a close-up look at this Lotto handlebar setup. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This bike had a Speedmax tri bar fitted, with 3D-printed custom extension ends, technology which has really helped tri bar tech develop.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s zoom in again; note the perfectly integrated shift buttons on the underside of the extension handholds. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Custom Miche aero chainring over at FDJ; what a great colour match. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

These silver extensions look especially space-age; the days of one-size-fits-all extension ends are long gone. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Lots of foam padding on these bars for comfort; in the past, a cut-up mouse mat has been a popular option. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Another very tidy setup on this Pinarello; that armrest pad will need sticking down, though. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another example: the ability to print something that feels perfect for a rider’s hands must be a real asset.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This is a Canyon Speedmax front end, another very clean TT machine. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This is the mad-looking BMC Timemachine Mpc; it uses a wide fork and seat stay design. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Stefan K\u00fcng\u2019s time trial bar, which features a connected, rounded handhold. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a very tall and very tidy front end.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

More tyre writing on this tyre from Decathlon; this is possibly the sealant refill date. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

These guys have probably seen all sorts in Monaco, perhaps not a Canyon Speedmax, though. <\/p>\n

\n

\"13\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

Now we come to the road machines and new Dura-Ace components; we\u2019ve got 13 sprockets on the new cassette. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s clear the groupset isn\u2019t finished, and Shimano has form for trialling early versions of Dura-Ace, but we can learn a few things: firstly, the rear mech isn\u2019t wireless. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a new crank arm too and we didn\u2019t see any 1x version. It looks like carbon isn\u2019t being adopted. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Close\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

This looks like a new power meter charging point. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

Next up are levers; the \u2018A\u2019 button on top of the shifter hood looks to be gone, though there is a marking up top that may hint at it remaining, and there appears to be a new additional shifter on the inside of each hood. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

Overall, it\u2019s a similar-looking shape to what we are used to seeing, but this may not be the final form. <\/p>\n

\n

\"A\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Cyclingnews)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s another shot of the new shifters from above. The online reaction has felt lukewarm so far. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a lovely bike, Spanish national road race champion Marcel Camprub\u00ed’s custom-painted Pinarello Dogma F.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a clean, classy design showing off the Spanish colours. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the other side: Camprub\u00ed will no doubt be keen to do the bike justice in his home Grand Tour as national champion. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an easy spot amongst the other Pinarello-Q36.5 team bikes. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a different coloured Ridley Noah Fast for Tobias Halland Johannessen.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Movistar will be looking for stage wins at this Vuelta; their Canyons have some eye-catching paint. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This is Enric Mas\u2019 machine; spot that 140mm stem and time trial front tyre. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

It seems to be a team-only paint job for this year. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

We couldn\u2019t help but notice Jorge Arcas\u2019 slammed forward saddle position. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll keep the Spanish theme going here with Equipo Kern Pharma\u2019s Giant Propel team bikes, more non-WorldTour machinery to look at. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Another team with non-Shimano chainrings; this is a \u2018The mechanic parts\u2019 option. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s an insight into this riders fuelling strategy.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Propel seatmast topper; this kind of arrangement used to be far more common on race bikes. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

The team are on Cadex Aero 30mm tyres. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Orbea had produced some custom-painted Orca bikes for the race; here\u2019s a smooth pink and white one. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Check out the proprietary rear bottle cage design. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

It\u2019s now less common to see stock Dura-Ace chainrings; we could be looking at a new Shimano crankset in the near future though which might change this. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Steffen De Schuyteneer will be riding this model. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Red wheel decals were applied for the race leader overnight for the start of stage two. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

40-55 tooth chainrings for Poga\u010dar for the relatively flat second stage. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Colnago wordmark peeking out on the Y1Rs bayonet-style fork. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Wout van Aert is also back and looking good; here\u2019s the Belgian\u2019s Cerv\u00e9lo S5 <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

A nod to Van Aert dressing as a squirrel on the Belgian TV show \u2018The Masked Singer\u2019.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Reserve 64\/57mm deep wheels for Van Aert; this combination seems to be used sparingly by the Visma team. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

A single 54-tooth chainring for the Belgian superstar on stage two. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

This is surely a colour combination Van Aert will be hoping to enjoy during this year’s race. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

More speed, captain. Richard Carapaz wasn\u2019t holding back with his tyre choices, opting for Vittoria Time Trial tyres. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Hot off a scintillating Tour de France, Carapaz will surely have a few tricks to pull aboard his Cannondale Supersix.<\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

41\/54 tooth \u2018Pro\u2019 SRAM chainrings for the EF leader. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Mads Pedersen is also in the race, and his setups are always aggressive. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s that big Trek Madone Isoflow cutout. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

The Lidl-Trek team are still riding unreleased Bontrager RSL wheels; we\u2019ll keep our eyes on these over the next few months. <\/p>\n

\n

\"Tech\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Harry Talbot)<\/p>\n

Try this fuelling strategy out on your next long ride – we dare you. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The sun may have failed to penetrate between some of Monaco’s taller structures as riders navigated the tight…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":749195,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[37],"tags":[4985,101,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-749194","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cycling","tag-cycling","tag-sports","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=749194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/749194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/749195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=749194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=749194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=749194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}