Santa Cruz Syndicate teammates Luca Shaw and Loris Vergier (shown above) put up impressive runs, with Loris sitting on the log leader’s throne for a few minutes but ended up third overall. The two were both riding V10 29ers, which they’ve been testing since 2017 and still not available at retail. But, with production-looking graphics, including a “V10 CC” on the top tube, we suspect it must be coming soon enough.
Components on the bikes include Burgtech bar, stem and seatpost; Lizard Skins grips; Fizik saddles; Santa Cruz’s carbon rims; Chris King hubs and Maxxis 29×2.4 tires. Both riders pasted their official number plates on top of Marsh Guard holders.
Vergier glued bits of folded inner tube to his chainstay to prevent chain slap, and used a Shimano Modular Chain Device to prevent the chain from dropping.
Luca’s bike had only minor differences…
…mainly different grips and a switch to an MRP chain guide. Both riders were running Shimano Saint groups with Crank Brothers pedals.
A couple things on the bike suggest it is still pre-production, like fork bumpers that look like 3D printed plastic…
…and a shock link that’s machined but not yet anodized. Check out the team page here to follow them through the season.