Team: Saxo Bank
Team: Saxo Bank
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2 (Tarmac SL3 for select riders) TT: Specialized Shiv
Info: The Bjarne Riis lead Saxo Bank team may have an ace up its sleeve in the form of two new bikes they'll be riding in this year's Tour. The team has been working with Specialized since January on an all-new time trail frame called the Shiv. Aerodynamically it has slightly less drag than the Specialized S-Works Transition head on, but in a cross wind it tests with up to 30 percent less drag. According to Specialized frame stiffness is almost that of the Tarmac SL2 road frame. Although most riders will be on the SL2, key GC and stage contenders will be on the all-new Specialized Tarmac SL3. The new frame will be hard to spot since it looks almost identical externally. But under the team paint scheme is all new carbon construction that gives the frame some impressive stats: it's torsionally 18.3 percent stiffer and 153 grams lighter than the already light and rigid SL2.
Specs: SRAM Red drivetrain, Zipp wheels, Specialized stems, FSA handlebars, Tacx bottle cages
Team Website: team-saxobank.com