PROS – Deforming to perform: the Specialized bikes of Deceuninck – Quick-Step and Bora – Hansgrohe for Paris-Roubaix

The Queen of the Classics will be contested this Sunday on a completely unusual date due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This late date will play an important role in the race conditions, as it will be the first wet, or even very wet, edition since 2002 and Johan Museeuw’s victory. On the equipment side, Specialized will be attempting a hat-trick.

Photos: Specialized

Another significant fact, and still one of the consequences of the health conditions, is that the previous edition of the race took place in April 2019, two and a half years ago.

Teams with a Flemish soul remain highly motivated at the end of this season. At their head, most of the teams flying the Belgian flag.

Two particularly motivated teams will be at the start in Compiègne and have spent the last two days on intense reconnaissance rides on the Northern cobbles: Bora-Hansgrohe led by Peter Sagan, winner in 2018, and the defending champions, Deceuninck – Quick-Step (through Philippe Gilbert in 2019, now with Lotto-Soudal).

Since its introduction to the market, Specialized’s Roubaix frame has equipped seven winners, and in the last edition in 2019, five of the top ten used this frame, including the winner himself, as mentioned above.

The frame uses several technologies, including the Future Shock 2.0 system housed in the fork (20 mm of travel), a particular design at the saddle clamp and the Pavé seatpost to absorb vibrations and shocks. For the American brand, these suspension systems demonstrate that “Deflect to perform” is a path to victory.

The Roubaix attempts to find a balance between aerodynamics, lightness, and compliance. Its FreeFoil tube shapes are inspired by the Venge and have been validated in the wind tunnel, with the frame itself being more aerodynamic than the Tarmac SL6. A Rider-First Engineered design ensures consistent stiffness and compliance, even as the size increases. As for the weight, it remains under 900 grams (size 56 cm).

In the race, it will be the first time that the Future Shock technology housed in the fork is used on a wet Paris-Roubaix. The frame designers expect this feature to bring even more advantages than for the same event contested in dry conditions.

Deceuninck – Quick-Step carried out all their reconnaissance rides on Turbo tires and Roval Rapide CLX wheels. Indeed, tubulars are losing ground at the highest level, so much so that since 2020, all the team’s victories have been achieved with Turbo tires. For Paris-Roubaix, they will use 28 mm “Hell of the North” Turbo Cotton tires.