Remco Evenepoel’s Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

Remco Evenepoel will take to the start line of the Volta ao Algarve on a distinctly different bike from his Soudal-Quickstep teammates. Although identical in build to the others, Evenepoel’s Specialized Tarmac SL8 bears a striking custom paint job that celebrates his title as the reigning Belgium national champion. It’s a custom colourway that we first saw back in 2023 at the Vuelta a España.

• Read more: 10 riders to watch at the Volta ao Algarve

Evenepoel’s trademark race move is to get incredibly aerodynamic on the bike. He has a staggering ability to leave the competition behind a long way from the finish line and solo into victory. In fact, over his career, it has earned him the nickname of ‘the Aerobullet’. No doubt he will be hoping to end Sunday as the overall leader of the Volta ao Algarve aboard this custom bike.

Paint fit for a champion

Evenepoel will ride the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 that was launched last year. The bike is built on a frame purportedly weighing 685 grams, touted by Specialized as the lightest in the WorldTour. The colour scheme of Evenepoel’s new bike is inspired by his ability to "morph - like liquid metal - into a single aerodynamic blur of man and machine" and this celebrates his achievements at the World Championships and his victory at his home national championships.

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The bike features metallic finishes that aim to symbolise Evenepoel's ability "morph"

Big gears all round

We are seeing more and more of the world's best opting for the widest-spread cassettes that are available to them. Evenepoel is no different with his bike fitted with an 11-34 tooth Dura-Ace cassette which has been paired to a 54/40 crankset at the front of the drivetrain. Since the advancement from 11-speed to 12-speed drivetrains, riders have been opting for wider ratio cassettes as they allow you to run larger chainrings without compromising the lowest climbing gear ratio.

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Evenepoel is using a 11-34 cassette with a 54/40 chainset

Custom transponder mounting

Given that this bike carries a five-figure price tag, it is interesting to see the team using such a low-cost hack for fitting the transponder to the fork leg of the bike. The team has used a section of latex inner tube to slide over the fork leg and transponder, making the transponder about as aerodynamic as it can be.

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A small section of latex inner tube has been used to mount and cover the race transponder

Roval Rapide cockpit

At the front of the bike, Evenepoel has Specialized’s in-house brand's Rapide one-piece bar and stem. When this was launched last year it was heralded as the fastest cockpit that Roval had ever created, saving four watts over the model it replaced. It’s striking just how deep the aero profile is when compared to other one-piece cockpits.

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The Roval Rapide cockpit features a very deep aero profile that is a claimed four watts faster than the outgoing model

3D-printed saddle

Sitting on top of the chrome-effect seatpost is Specialized’s S-Works Power saddle which is manufactured using 3D printing. This allows for the properties of each part of the saddle to be tuned to give the best possible comfort for the rider, using a technology that Specialized call Mirror. The saddle is made of a honeycomb structure that can be made with different densities throughout the saddle.

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The 3D-printed Specialized S-Works Power saddle has a variable density using a honeycomb structure

What do you think of Evenepoel’s custom Tarmac? Are you are fan? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Bike Specification