Pro bike: Jasper Stuyven's Trek Madone Gen 8

Pro bike: Jasper Stuyven's Trek Madone Gen 8

Having been unveiled shortly before the start of the Tour, the new Madone is one of the peloton's most distinctive bikes

Photos: James Startt Words: Rupert Radley

The 111th Tour de France has been one to forget so far for Lidl-Trek. The bad news of Tao Geoghegan Hart not starting due to illness was further compounded by the abandon of Mads Pedersen ahead of stage eight following his crash on stage five’s bunch finish. 

However, Jasper Stuyven has proved himself to be in fine form, almost taking the win on stage nine's electric gravel stage aboard his new Trek Madone. With 10 seconds over the chasing bunch with just 2km to go it looked to be a done deal, and if it hadn’t been for a driving effort by EF Education’s Ben Healy he might have stayed clear. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Stuyven’s new Trek Madone launched just ahead of the Tour de France, making Trek the latest manufacturer (see also: Specialized) to merge its aero and lightweight platforms. The new Trek Madone cannibalises the Trek Émonda, marking the end for an iconic lightweight racing bike.

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

The eighth generation Madone’s frame tubing is distinct from the outgoing version, with Trek opting for smaller tubing over the bulky kammtail shapes used previously on both the Madone and the Émonda. The new tubing is broader and squatter which Trek says makes it as light as the outgoing Émonda but as aero as the previous generation Madone. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Introduced on the seventh generation Madone, the distinctive IsoFlow (read: aero hole) remains, albeit shrunken in size to reduce weight and improve performance. It has an additional benefit of improving comfort – an 80% increase in vertical compliance, according to Trek – which Stuyven would have valued across stage nine’s lumpy gravel sections. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Other neat features include aero bottles and bottle cages, which Trek claims save 3.7 watts when riding at 45kph. It’s technology typically seen in triathlon racing, although it’s not the first time we’ve seen riders using aero bottles at this tour, with Mark Cavendish also using them when he rode to his record-breaking 35th stage win.

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Elsewhere, the aero frame is further complemented by Bontrager’s Aeolus 62mm rims front and rear. These are shod with Pirelli’s P Zero Race TLR RS tyres set up tubeless. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Stuyven is using Trek’s RSL Aero one-piece handlebar and stem with its distinctive negative degree curve. When equipped with SRAM’s new Red AXS hoods it provides quite the lengthy reach.

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

There’s significant flare on the levers of the SRAM Red groupset, which will make braking easier from the drops. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Also visible is the new ‘Bonus Button’ which Stuyven could use to control his cycling computer or as a sprint shifter when riding in the drops.  

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

Stuyven is pushing a 54/41 chainring on the flat stages, although he is likely to reduce those ratios in the mountains. 

Jasper Stuyven Trek Madone Gen 8

The frame is made up in the eye-catching colours of Lidl-Trek, making it an easy spot in the professional peloton.

Photos: James Startt Words: Rupert Radley


READ MORE

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot only knows how to win – and the Tour de France Femmes is her latest target: ‘I want to be the best’

Pauline Ferrand-Prévot only knows how to win – and the Tour de France Femmes is her latest target: ‘I want to be the best’

The Frenchwoman returns to road racing with Visma-Lease a Bike in 2025, and her home race is at the top of her wish list

Leggi di più
‘Volunteers are the backbone of the sport’ - Carole Leigh on a lifetime of service to bike racing

‘Volunteers are the backbone of the sport’ - Carole Leigh on a lifetime of service to bike racing

The British woman has organised and officiated bike races since she was a teenager and hopes more people will follow in her footsteps

Leggi di più
Olav Kooij and the quest to be the fastest man in the world

Olav Kooij and the quest to be the fastest man in the world

The Dutchman is confident in the fact that he’s on the cusp of being the sport’s best current sprinter

Leggi di più
Josh Tarling and the pursuit of perfection: ‘I hope my peak will start next year’

Josh Tarling and the pursuit of perfection: ‘I hope my peak will start next year’

The 20-year-old Ineos Grenadiers rider on learnings from the racing season, managing adult life, and setting achievable goals

Leggi di più
Laurence Pithie: I want to challenge Van der Poel for Monument wins next year

Laurence Pithie: I want to challenge Van der Poel for Monument wins next year

The New Zealand rider talks about his journey to the top of the sport, moving to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and his ambitions to start to win...

Leggi di più

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image