Fresh off the release of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl custom kits and bikes, the world champ has his turn to show off his new ride. Alaphilippe’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 gets a design inspired by the emotion, sacrifice, and swirl of competition.
World Champion Design
The back-to-back World Champ knows about the swirl of competition; the dedication needed to attain the rainbow bands. Alaphilippe collaborated with the in-house paint team at Specialized to create the timeless 2022 race colorway.
“I am very proud to have a unique and personalized bike. It gave me great emotion when I discovered it because it’s the bike I’ve always dreamed of and which corresponds to who I am. It is as I had imagined it: simple but with small details that are important to me. I’m glad I had the chance to collaborate with the Specialized team to make it happen.” – Julian Alaphilippe – 2020/2021 Elite Men’s Road Race World Champion.
The canvas for the iconic rainbow is the Specialized Tarmac SL7 — the go-to race machine for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. The concept itself was brought to life by the design team at Specialized, championed by Senior Concept Designer Kayla Clarot.
For paint, the team went with Lumar Colors of Italy, skilled in the art of custom frame design and painting.
Julian Alaphilippe’s 2022 race season
Julian Alaphilippe’s 2022 season will start with the Tour de la Provence in which he won last year — starting the same way, with a fresh rainbow jersey and custom painted bike.
Alaphilippes’ schedule is still under construction, but he is slotted to race a fair amount in Italy; Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Milano-Sanremo.
Then he and his Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl teammates will point their sites at the Ardennes Classics in April. The road racing world is looking forward to a semi-normal calendar year with the cobbled classics keeping close to their forecasted dates.
We look forward to seeing the rainbow jersey and bike in the peloton this season, hopefully on the top step of the podium.
Julian Alaphilippe’s 2022 Specialized Tarmac SL7 details:
- Frameset: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL7 Disc, 52mm:
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 12 Speed
- Brakes: 140mm rear, 160mm front
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-R9200 11-30T, 12-speed
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-R9200 172.5mm 54/42 with Shimano power meter
- Bottom bracket: CeramicSpeed BSA 68mm type
- Wheels: Roval CL38 Clincher wheels
- Tires: Specialized Rapid Air
- Stem: PRO 100mm length
- Handlebar: PRO 400mm width
- Bar tape: Supacaz Double wrap
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100
- Saddle: Specialized Romin EVO Carbon rails
- Bottle cages: Tacx
- Computer: Wahoo Elemnt Roam mounted on K-Edge alloy mount
For more info about the Specialized Tarmac SL7, go to www. specialized.com
