Stolen Details Reveal Cervelo Enhancing S5's Airworthiness Claims to Produce a Potentially Quick Gravel Bicycle
Marianne Vos Dominates Aachen's 3RIDES Gravel Race
Marianne Vos clinched the 3RIDES gravel race in Aachen, Germany over the weekend, the premier outing for her prestigious rainbow world champ's jersey, awarded following her triumph at the UCI World Gravel Championships in 2024. Yet, this victory marked more than just a simple race win - it appears Vos rode to victory aboard an unseen aero iteration of what undeniably seems to be a fresh Cervélo Aspero model.
Vos clocked a time of 3:37:10, leaving a considerable 2:25 gap between her and the chasing group, and it's clear that her gravel machine might have played a significant role in her victory. With its apparent aero enhancements, if aerodynamics are anything to go by, this gravel bike seems less like the current Aspero 5 and more akin to the distinctive, speedy Cervélo S5.
The headtube on this new bike appears strikingly deeper and more aerodynamic, boasting a more angular design than its predecessor. It also features a discernible cutaway for the rear wheel, borrowing design elements familiar from the S5 road bike.
Emphasizing the bike's aerodynamics is an integrated aero seat post, replacing the traditional round post and conventional seat clamp of the current model. One image even hints at a black panel on the downtube, possibly alluding to new storage in the aero-shaped down tube. Brand's like Factor with their Monza, and Enve with their Fray have embraced the recent trend for downtube storage, suggesting Cervélo may follow suit.
The Aspero's critics have argued that it only permitted tyres as wide as 42mm, which puts it behind competitors' capabilities. However, with Vos using Vittoria Terreno T50 tyres in Germany, up to 50mm wide, it seems clear that the bike's tire clearance may have improved.
The bottom bracket underwent a transformation, too. It's significantly beefier and taller, suggesting greater stiffness and prioritizing raw speed, judging by the similarities with the S5's aero features.
Typifying a modern gravel race bike, all hydraulic hoses run internally on this new model. Vos utilized an integrated one-piece cockpit, which integrates the cables but appears to feature a recess in the headtube, possibly designed for an integrated stem-bar setup.
To cap it off, the bike sports the alluring UDH hanger, another distinctive feature often associated with aerodynamic bikes.
If you're a bike enthusiast, stay tuned for more thrilling updates from the world of cycling!
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Sports enthusiasts will be intrigued by the apparent new aerodynamic Gravel bike model from Cervélo, as Marianne Vos' dominating win at the 3RIDES Gravel Race in Aachen was achieved on this innovative bike. The new bike, with its deeper headtube, cutaway for the rear wheel, integrated aero seat post, black panel on the downtube, and UDH hanger, among other features, seems to be more akin to the Cervélo S5 road bike than the current Aspero 5.
