Canyon Aeroad CFR is still Movistar's flat-stage bike despite the new Ultimate going aero
Movistar's veteran Basque climber Gorka Izagirre will hope to fly high in the Pyrenees. Here we look at his weapon of choice for the flatter stages
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

As the Tour moves into the Pyrenees Movistar’s Gorka Izagirre won't lack for support. The Basque climber will just hope he has the legs to match the enthusiasm of the passionate fans, many who cross the border decked out in the orange of the Euskaltel-Euskadi (opens in new tab) team, who Izagirre rode for between 2010 and 2013.
Izagirre is likely to tackle the famed slopes of the Col d'Aubisque, Peyragudes and Hautacam on Canyon's redesigned, lightweight and more aerodynamic Ultimate (opens in new tab). However, the Aeroad CFR (opens in new tab)is clearly very much in the picture, a bike he used during the flatter stages of the Tour's opening week and to which he will most likely revert.
As the name suggests the Aeroad is the German brand's aero race bike. Its wind-cutting, watt-saving attributes are clearly evident in the tube shapes too. Note the seat tube on Izagirre’s bike features a Kammtail design with a flat back. The idea is to trick the airflow into continuing as it would over a traditional wing shape. But the sawn-off profile reduces weight as well as introducing compliance.
Movistar uses SRAM’s Red eTap AXS wireless drivetrain. In the WorldTour SRAM Red is far less prevalent than Shimano’s flagship Dura-Ace system. In fact, Trek-Segafredo are the only other team using SRAM in this year's Tour de France. Its standout features include a fully wireless system AXS gearing that incorporates a 10t sprocket.
The Red eTap AXS rear derailleur is completely wireless with its own battery that’s mounted to the rear of the derailleur.
Izagirre's Canyon Aeroad features the new integrated cockpit, the redesign a result of Mathieu van der Poel's bars snapping at the Wallonian one-day race Le Samyn in 2021 (opens in new tab).
The aero properties of the Aeroad are on show here too. Note the depth of the head tube and the shape of the fork blades.
Like the unique gearing on the cassette, the chainring setup is non-standard: Izagirre is running a 52/39 chainring combo with a Quarq power meter. SRAM's off-the-peg offering's include a 48/35 and a 50/37, although you'll often see its pro riders using a 54t chainring.
Izagirre’s Aeroad is outfitted with Zipp’s 454 NSW wheels (opens in new tab). That sawtooth pattern is meant to help stabilise the wheel in crosswinds and reduce overall drag at various yaw angles.
Despite the proliferation of tubeless technology in the modern peloton, the 34-year-old Izagirre is keeping it 'old school', opting for tubular tyres, the classic Continental Competition Pro LTD with latex tubes, which are long-term favourites among the pro riders.
Izagirre’s seatpost has two mounts on it: one for his number plate and another for a data receiver under the seat.
It’s topped with a Fizik Antares saddle in traditional pro white. First released in 2008, the Antares is no longer as fashionable as it once once, but Izagirre is like many riders, who once they find a comfortable perch choose to stick with it. Ineos' Geriant Thomas is another who favours a classic Fizik saddle, riding the long and flat Arione at this year's race.
Note that Izagirre has his Antares slammed forward on the carbon rails on a zero-setback seatpost.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Luke Friend has worked as a writer, editor and copywriter for over twenty years. Across books, magazines and websites, he's covered a broad range of topics for a range of clients including Major League Baseball, the National Trust and the NHS. He has an MA in Professional Writing from Falmouth University and is a qualified bicycle mechanic. He fell in love with cycling at an early age, partly due to watching the Tour de France on TV. He's a passionate follower of bike racing to this day as well an avid road and gravel rider.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published