The cyclocross cannibal and his Cervélo R5-CX. In terms of technical features, Van Aert has changed many of the components on his bike (compared to the 2022 season). His hunger for victory and ability to stay focused remain unchanged. Here, we focus on some details of the bike used by the Belgian champion.
Cervélo R5-CX Frameset
Made official last winter, The platform on which Wout Van Aert's cyclocross bike is based is the Cervélo R5-CX (the same frame is also used by Marianne Vos).
This is a project that was specifically created for cyclocross, but it significantly recalls some solutions of the R5 normally used on the roadThere is a specific seatpost (and the Belgian uses the one with zero offset) with a truncated rear profile, there is no integrated handlebar and it is completely made of fibre.
Cockpit and saddle are the same
Fizik's sponsorship continues (Va Aert uses a Antares R1), which will also be alongside the battleship next season Jumbo Visma.
There is also confirmation of the driving department with the cockpit designed by FSA-Vision. Van Aert uses a FSA SL-K aluminum stem (in contact with the steering profile) and the carbon fold Vision Metron Aero with an open angle towards the front of 10 degrees. This handlebar features a drop of just 125mm: a value that makes it a sort of compact, but with a rounded curvature that allows for wide usability and ease in reaching the levers.
Single chainring and Reserve wheels
For Van Aert it is a sort of return to the past, when in Crelan (at the time there were also Felt bikes) he used the Sram transmission with the single front chainring. Today it adopts the 46-tooth crown with the chain guide, the Quarq power meter and the 12 rear gears (the transmission is based on the Red eTap AXS groupset).
The sprocket set's gearing varies between the 10-28 Red scale and the 10-30 Force freewheel.The difference between the two is the penultimate sprocket: 24 for the Red, 27 for the Force, but both require the same chain length. There are 140mm diameter brake discs, front and rear.
Another important change, always regarding the vehicle's equipment, refers to the wheels. There are no more Shimanos and there are the Reserve, a brand also used in the Cervélo catalogue. Those used by Van Aert are the 36 tubular with carbon rim, but the hubs are DT Swiss from the 240 Spline familyThe tires are Dugast.
A reminder of… the past
Despite Jumbo Visma's move from Shimano to Sram, The pedals used by Van Aert in cross are the Shimano XTR. Even the footwear and the helmet are based on the Shimano portfolio, namely the S Phyre XC9 and the helmet Lazer Vento KinetiCore with livery RedBull.
