Stages:
123456789101112131415161718192021
The 2014 Tour de France is far from over, but after 10 days of racing Italian Vincenzo Nibali is clearly the odds-on favorite to be wearing the yellow jersey in Paris. The Italian owns a 2:23 lead over second-placed Richie Porte (Team Sky), and already has two stage wins. Carrying the Astana team captain toward glory is this custom painted Specialized S-Works Tarmac. RoadBikeReview got an up close look. See what we saw in the photo gallery below.
VINCENZO NIBALI'S SPECIALIZED S-WORKS (SHARK) TARMAC PHOTOS
The Tarmac is Specialized's pure bred race bike. Nibali's size 56cm is outfitted with mechanical Campagnolo Super Record 11-speed, Corima Viva carbon tubular wheels, and a mix of carbon FSA components.
The custom paint job is a nod to Nibali's menacing nickname, the Shark of Messina. Nibali was born in the city of Messina on the island of Sicily.
The Italian runs this non-sponsor-correct Fizik Antares saddle complete with black electrical tape and sharpie markings.
The saddle is perched on a FSA carbon K-Force seatpost.
A internal binder bolt in the frame eliminates the need for an external seatpost clamp.
Pink striping down the back of the seat tube is a nod to Nibali's overall GC win at the 2013 Giro d'Italia. Could a yellow stripe be in order soon?
Look KEO Blade's are the pedal of choice.
The 11-speed Campy Super Record group is broken by these Specialized S-Works carbon cranks.
The frame is mechanical or electronic compatible. Nibali prefers the former.
No mistaking the sexy ergo curves of Campagnolo's Super Record levers. These are the RS model, which is specially tuned for racing.
This jumbled set-up includes Campy chainrings, an SRM power meter and Specialized cranks.
Campy brakes are outfitted with Corima's special red brake pads, which are specially formulated to work with the Corima wheels.
An 120mm FSA stem links up with 42cm FSA carbon bars.
Corima is a France-based component and frame maker. The clincher version of these carbon hoops retail for north of $1400.
Veloflex tires are the tire choice for standard road stages.
Nibali's stem measures 120mm. Astana also has a relationship with Ceramicspeed, which provides headset and BB bearings.
For stage 5's battle on the cobblestones, Nibali opted for the Specialized Roubaix, which provides a more compliant ride on rough roads.
The Tour's Roubaix stage also necessitated a switch to these 27c FMB/Specialized tires.
Brake clearance was tight with the 27c tires mounted up.
The Specialized Roubaix utilizes bump-absorbing Zertz inserts in the fork and seatstays.