Remco Evenepoel's World Champion-edition Specialized Shiv TT unveiled ahead of crucial Vuelta a España TT

For the second time at this year’s Vuelta a España, Specialized has launched a special edition bike for Remco Evenepoel, this time a World Champion edition of his Specialized Shiv TT bike ahead of the stage 10 time trial.

A custom Specialized Tarmac SL8 - a bike only released at the beginning of August - was unveiled on the eve of the race, sporting a new design. It’s now been joined by the new Specialized Shiv time trial bike, celebrating the Belgian’s World Championships success in Glasgow where he stormed to the world title for the first time, topping a strong field including two-time winner Filippo Ganna (Italy).

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Evenepoel's new Specialized Shiv TT

Unsurprisingly, its release comes ahead of the second and final time trial at the race, a day that is likely to be decisive in Evenepoel’s hopes of defending the overall title he won last season. The foundations of his 2022 victory were also laid in the stage 10 individual time trial, beating main rival Primož Roglič (Jumbo-Visma) by 48 seconds. Roglič is once again one of Evenepoel’s main rivals this year, and he’ll be hoping to put a similar buffer into the Slovenian.

As he did last year, Evenepoel will attempt to do it atop Specialized’s Shiv TT bike, only this year, courtesy of the newly released design, it’s sporting the rainbow stripes that are the reserve of world champions.

It’s actually the second time trial of the race, following the team time trial on the opening day. Evenepoel used the standard team colours on that day as he can only technically pull on rainbow attire and use a rainbow-adorned bike in individual efforts against the clock.

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Evenepoel used a bike with team colours in the opening team time trial

The bike’s colourway has been completely revamped from what he used on that day, with the black shades swapped for an all-white theme. Despite being the world champion edition, the rainbow bands only form a small part of the design on the seat tube. It’s an understated approach which isn’t too in your face, and it looks great.

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The rainbow design on the seat tube

To complete the look, joining the bike and his world champion’s skinsuit, Specialized has also pulled together a custom rainbow-designed S-Works TT5 helmet.

Beyond the design, the bike itself is still the same as the one that’s powered Evenepoel to so much success, bar any minor adjustments to set-up. Soudal Quick-Step uses Shimano Dura-Ace components, and in the pictures shared by Specialized, the bike has a 2x set-up.

Many riders now use 1x for time trials, even Shimano-sponsored teams, even though the brand doesn’t technically have a 1x road groupset. However, this can be adapted by swapping in a non-Shimano chainring, something teams are more willing to do on time trial bikes - which tend to be heavily customised - than on road bikes.

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The bike has a 2x set-up with a huge largest chainring

Evenepoel doesn’t appear to be following this trend, though, sticking to a 2x set-up with, as expected, a dinner plate-sized chainring. We got our hands on his Shiv earlier in the season and back then he had an eye-watering 60t biggest ring - it wouldn’t be surprising if he uses something similar on stage 10 on what is a relatively flat route.

Interestingly, from the images, it looks like Evenepoel will still be using an 11-speed version of Dura-Ace, which is now 12-speed. Whether this is simply driven by supply issues or a choice of the team is unknown.

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Are Soudal Quick-Step using an 11-speed version of Shimano Dura-Ace?

Finishing components include Roval wheels paired with Specialized Turbo Cotton tyres, a custom-designed cockpit and an S-Works saddle.