Honoring this being the 113th Tour de France, Bianchi has painted up just 113 limited-edition frames as their all-new, ultralight all-rounder Specialissima RC becomes the official bike of Le Tour. A mix of yellow, green, white, and red polka dots adorn what is probably the most advanced carbon road bike Bianchi has ever built. Carrying on its place in the Italian bikemaker’s lineup, the new Specialissima RC is ultralight at just 750g, yet now features sleeker aerodynamics than ever, proven Countervail carbon tech to ensure a smooth ride, and
2026 Tour de France’s official bike is the all-new Bianchi Specialissima RC
Yes, it feels a bit strange that there is a single ‘official bike’ for a Grand Tour of 23 teams racing on aero, climbing & TT bicycles from 20 different bike makers. Yet, the ASO and Bianchi have signed a multi-year cross-promotion deal, so here we are. Really, it’s not a huge surprise, as Bianchi told us of their ambitions to “reassert dominance in professional road racing” when I toured the HQ outside of Milan last summer. They even gave us a glimpse of what could be next year’s bike of the Tour… teasing an upcoming Oltre RC redesign, too?
But yes, Bianchi is in the peloton again at the Tour. They are the bike supplier for Bahrain-Victorious. Bianchi is even first place among the bike suppliers (*in alphabetical order, at least).
All kidding aside, the new Specialissima RC looks like a pretty killer road bike. Up to 16W more aero than the previous generation and weighing just 750g. And love or hate the Tour leaders’ jersey-themed paint job of this limited edition, it is a bike that would stand out in any peloton.
Above all, this limited edition is pretty intense. 113 numbered framesets are being hand-painted in the Reparto Corse workshop in Milan.
They are available exclusively in a single 12,900€ complete build with a 12-speed, semi-wireless Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, then the new top-tier Reparto Corse RC 49R chopped carbon finish wheels. Also, there’s even a special Tour edition Prologo Choice 140 saddle, too. Plus, buyers will also get a collector’s ‘welcome kit’ that includes a 1:12 scale mini replica of the bike, individually numbered to match your real bike.
All-new 2026 Bianchi Specialissima RC CV ultralight road bike
The Specialissima has long been Bianchi’s more classic, lightweight all-rounder road racing bike. But while this next generation drops at least 40g to be the lightest yet (without sacrificing stiffness), it is also measurably more aerodynamic – saving up to 16W at 50km/hr racing speeds. And honestly, those two improvements alone are most impressive because the new bike really doesn’t look all that different from the previous generation that debuted 3 years ago. In fact, this new 2026 Bianchi Specialissima RC manages to look slightly more traditional, almost less like an aero road bike, which I feel like is a nice way to differentiate it from all the cookie-cutter aero bikes we see on the road these days.
What’s new?
The biggest frameset changes then are a slimmer toptube design, a new D-shaped aero seatpost, and deeper, smoother fork blades. Further boosting aero performance, though, is a new integrated handlebar and stem cockpit.
The Specialissima’s geometry hasn’t changed at all. But working with Team Bahrain – Victorious, the new integrated cockpit is said to be 25% more aerodynamic, while also offering a much wider range of fit adjustments. That all centers around narrow 37.5-41.5cm spacing for leaned-in hoods, slightly flared drops, and effective stem lengths from just 90mm all the way up to 140mm, since the pros often prefer to size down their frame paired with a longer cockpit setup.
Another shift is that all new Specialissima frames feature Countervail (CV) “vibration-cancelling technology”, something previously reserved for just one of the 3 carbon layups of the all-rounder. It’s also a new CV recipe that promises improved vibration damping at even lighter weights. Plus, the new Bianchi Specialissima is still offered in 3 tiers, but they’ve simplified with just two lightweight carbon layups – RC at the top, then Pro & no unnamed comp sharing a 100g heavier mix of carbon.
Tech details
- Specialissima frame available in 2 carbon spec levels across three model levels: RC and Pro/Standard
– RC claimed frame weight 720g (±50g, size M/55)
– Pro/standard claimed frame weight 850g (±50g, size M/55) - all Specialissima frames include carbon Countervail (CV) vibration damping tech inside
- all complete bikes include new Bianchi Reparto Corse Carbon integrated handlebar+stem combo
– available in 18 size combinations: 90-140mm stem lengths, 375-415mm c-c bar widths measured at the hoods
– bar features 80mm reach, 125mm drop & 2° flare; stem is -7° - fully integrated internal cable routing through handlebar & 1.5″ headset
- standard Acros ICR headset & routing interface
- newly only compatible with electronic shifting
- proprietary D-shaped aero seatpost with internal wedge clamp
- flat mount disc brakes and 12mm thru-axles
- UDH standard
- BB86 PressFit bottom bracket
- max 32mm tire clearance
- UCI-approved for racing
- available in 7 frame sizes (47-59cm)
Bianchi Specialissima RC – Pricing, options & availability
The all-new Bianchi Specialissima is available in several complete builds, and several standard paint jobs – two of which still include at least a touch of classic celeste!
Builds start at 5200€ with either Rival AXS or 105 Di2. And they climb up to 11,550€ with either SRAM Red AXS 2×12 or Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2×12, both with power meters. (Don’t ask us about the bird!) Or you can pay thirteen hundred euros more for the limited-edition Tour model while they last, and get a mini replica, too.
But if you want to build up your own bike, you can also buy a frameset in either of the two carbon spec options. The 5200€ Specialissima RC frameset comes only in Antarctica frozen white, Celeste green & black. On the other hand, the 4200€ Specialissima Pro frameset is offered in 3, arguably nicer colors. Pick from two-tone Petroleum Celeste blue-green, Aurora with exposed UD carbon & iridescent blue, or Ying/Yang with exposed UD carbon & Italian white.
Custom Officina Bianchi finishes, too!
There are even six more hand-painted finishes available in the new Officina Bianchi custom paint shop program. There’s new sunrise-inspired Alba fades, Archivio Celeste for those who can’t get enough of Bianchi’s iconic blue-green, or Nebulosa that blends blue, purple, orange, and celeste in a deep space theme. Or go for existing Bluemarine Drip, Miami Drip, or Canova hand-painted looks that we previewed in Milan for a truly unique-looking road bike.
Get yours from your local Bianchi dealer today.
