Wout van Aert will be riding a bike with his own face on at Paris-Roubaix
You've got to be good to pull that off
Every professional cycling team has riders' names on their bikes, but Veranda's Willems-Crelan and bike manufacturer Stevens have taken things a step further with Wout van Aert's bike for Paris-Roubaix.
As well as having his named emblazoned down both sides of the seat tube, Van Aert can also identify which bike is his by looking at the head tube, which features a picture of his own face.
The bike is a standard Stevens Xenon frame which has been given a very special custom paintjob by Belgian paint specialists M-Level which has produced specially painted helmets and bikes for the likes of Mark Cavendish, Vincenzo Nibali, and Peter Sagan in the past.
>>> Paris-Roubaix 2018 cobbles: Your complete guide to the Hell of the North pavé
This particular paintjob pays homage to the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, with the grey pavé appearing on the head tube, top tube, and fork of Van Aert's bike.
Meanwhile the seatstays tell the 23-year-old to 'Go Hard or Go Home' while details of each of the 29 cobbled sectors are written at the end of the top tube, albeit in such small font that Van Aert might have to get his reading glasses out mid-race to get the full details.
>>> Five things to look out for at Paris-Roubaix 2018
Away from the paintjob there are a few alterations to the bike's components in preparation for the unique challenges of Paris-Roubaix, with an extra brake lever on the top of the bars to allow the cyclocross world champion to brake without moving his hands from the tops, aluminium bottle cages that can be bent into shape to give a firm grip on the bidons over the rough pavé, and 28mm Schwalbe tyres.
The rest of the components are the same as will be used by the rest of the Belgian team on Sunday, with Zipp 202 wheels combined with a SRAM Red eTap groupset, and a Fizik saddle.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
Why are my tubeless tyres leaking?
Tubeless tyres have their benefits but if yours are repeatedly losing air here are the reasons and, vitally, the fixes
By Luke Friend Published
-
Remco Evenepoel collaborates with Belgian Post to launch 'Remco Reflex' safety initiative after being doored by post vehicle
Double Olympic champion required surgery after suffering a luxation of the clavicle, contusions on his lungs, a fractured rib, shoulder blade and hand in the collision last Tuesday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
11 ways the pros modify their bikes for Paris-Roubaix
There's more to do than fit 28mm tyres when riding the cobbles, and professional riders and mechanics have plenty of tricks to improve comfort on the pavé.
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Pro bike: Peter Sagan’s custom S-Works Roubaix with suspension (video)
Peter Sagan's bike for Paris Roubaix is this custom painted Specialized S-Works Roubaix with a future shock, but the disc brakes removed
By Oliver Bridgewood Published
-
FMB tyres: the go-to rubber for Paris-Roubaix
Handmade using the highest quality materials and the pinnacle of technology, FMB tyres are the go-to rubber for many pros tackling the cobbled Classics. Last year, we went to Brittany to uncover the brand’s success
By Richard Abraham Published
-
Pro Bike: Francesco Moser's 1979 Paris-Roubaix De Rosa
A closer look at the De Rosa that Francesco Moser rode to victory in the 1979 Paris-Roubaix
By Henry Robertshaw Published