Remco Evenepoel is riding what appear to be unreleased Specialized lace-up shoes at the Tour de France. The black Specialized branding on the toe and outside of the shoe, and a black heel cup differentiate them from the American brand's existing lace-up racing shoe, the Torch Lace. They could be an update, a lace version of the S-Works Ares 2, which has similar styling, or an entirely new model.
What happened?
The double Olympic champion is currently fourth in the general classification and is wearing these shoes with red laces, potentially to draw attention to the fact that they are new. Remco is known to test unreleased kit in the open, as we saw at the opening team time trial in Barcelona, where we spotted him riding an all-new Specialized S-Works Shiv TT bike.
Why it matters for Remco Evenepoel
The use of these lace-ups could be a move to improve ventilation and avoid hot foot and other temperature-induced conditions, in what has been described as one of the hottest Tours de France on record - Stage 9 was shortened due to exceptional heat. Laces are generally considered to be more aerodynamic than Boa dials and straps and can save weight. They are possibly something Dan Bigham, Red Bull's head of engineering, has pushed the already very aero Evenepoel towards.
What comes next?
In addition to the different branding and heel cup, when seen side by side with the Torch Lace, the unnamed shoe appears narrower, with lace eyelets spaced closer together. This could just be the way Remco has tightened the laces, or it could be an attempt from Specialized to smooth out the front-facing part of the shoe to further cut drag. The upper is dotted with tiny holes for airflow, which would seem to be advantageous in the intense heat of this year's Tour de France.
Remco Evenepoel's teammates, including his GC rival Florian Lipowitz, are apparently happy with the ventilation and weight of the S-Works Torch and S-Works Ares 2. We have contacted Specialized for comment and will update this article when we have more information.
The use of these lace-ups could be a strategic move by Evenepoel to gain an edge in the competition. With the intense heat of this year's Tour de France, any advantage in aerodynamics and ventilation could be crucial. As the competition heats up, it will be interesting to see how Evenepoel's new shoes perform.
The Tour de France continues on July 15, with the next stage taking place in the Pyrenees. Remco Evenepoel will be looking to maintain his position in the general classification and potentially make a push for the top spot.
As the Tour de France enters its second week, the competition is heating up. Remco Evenepoel's use of unreleased Specialized lace-up shoes is just one of the many factors that will be influencing the outcome of the competition. With the intense heat and challenging terrain, it will be a test of endurance and strategy for all the riders involved.
The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious cycling competitions in the world, and Remco Evenepoel is one of the top contenders. With his new shoes and his experience, he will be looking to make a strong push for the top spot.
The Tour de France continues on July 16, with the next stage taking place in the Alps. Remco Evenepoel will be looking to maintain his position in the general classification and potentially make a push for the top spot.
As the Tour de France enters its second week, the competition is heating up. Remco Evenepoel's use of unreleased Specialized lace-up shoes is just one of the many factors that will be influencing the outcome of the competition. With the intense heat and challenging terrain, it will be a test of endurance and strategy for all the riders involved.
The Tour de France is one of the most prestigious cycling competitions in the world, and Remco Evenepoel is one of the top contenders. With his new shoes and his experience, he will be looking to make a strong push for the top spot.