1. Demi Vollering: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9
Demi Vollering won the 2026 Tour de France Femmes in impressive fashion. Having taken the yellow jersey on the eighth stage, she went on to secure overall victory the following day in Nice. The Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 is a modern all-round racing bike designed to cover as many riding scenarios as possible. The design combines low weight with aerodynamics, high stiffness and balanced handling.
In the TOUR test, the Tarmac SL9 achieved an overall score of 1.4, making it – alongside the Giant Propel Advanced SL – the current TOUR top-scorer. The bike is a prime example of balance: the Tarmac combines low weight with excellent aerodynamics, thrilling handling and a high level of comfort to create a well-rounded package.
Key features
- Model: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9
- Category: All-round racing bike
- Strengths: Aerodynamics, driving dynamics, low weight and well-balanced comfort
- Overall TOUR rating: 1.4
- Area of application: Mountain stages, classic races and fast stage races
The Tarmac SL9 is therefore a road bike for cyclists who don’t want to have to choose between a lightweight climber and a fast aero road bike. It is precisely this versatility that suits Vollering’s riding style, which works equally well on long climbs and on technically demanding sections of the race.
More details in the TOUR review: Top of the class? We put the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 to the test.
2. Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney: Canyon Aeroad CFR
Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney – whose name is commonly known as “Kasia” amongst fans, within the cycling community and in the media – finished the Tour de France Femmes in second place. The CANYON//SRAM rider was just eight seconds behind Vollering going into the final stage, but was unable to close the gap on the final climb to Nice.
Yours, Canyon Aeroad CFR embodies a different focus to the Tarmac SL9. The Aeroad is designed entirely with high speed and aerodynamic efficiency in mind. Its defining features are the deeply integrated front end, the pronounced aerodynamic shaping and the sporty riding position.
The Aeroad really comes into its own on fast stages and flat sections of the race. At the same time, it is not purely a specialist bike for flat terrain. As a modern aero road bike, it must also remain competitive on long climbs, as the Tour de France Femmes demands a combination of sprinting, aerodynamic performance, descending and climbing ability from the riders.
Key features
- Model: Canyon Aeroad CFR
- Category: Aero road bike
- Strengths: Aerodynamics, high speed and integration
- Area of application: Flat stages, fast courses, wind edges and varied race profiles
- Female driver: Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, CANYON//SRAM
Niewiadoma-Phinney demonstrated, particularly on Mont Ventoux, that she is competitive even in the high mountains on the Aeroad. On the seventh stage, she won the mountain finish and temporarily took the Yellow Jersey.
The Aeroad thus embodies a clear aerodynamic philosophy: minimising air resistance as much as possible without completely sacrificing its suitability for everyday use in stage races.
3. Elisa Longo Borghini: Colnago V5Rs
Elisa Longo Borghini rounded off the podium on her Colnago V5Rs. The Italian rides for UAE Team L’IMAD and finished third in the general classification.
The Colnago V5Rs is designed as a lightweight all-round racing bike. Colnago wanted to make the successor to the V4Rs not only lighter, but also more aerodynamic and stiffer. The frame is said to weigh just 685 grams in its unpainted version and in the small frame size of 48.5. According to the manufacturer, the fork weighs around 342 grams.
At the same time, compared with the V4Rs, the V5Rs is expected to achieve a speed of around 9 watts faster thanks to improved aerodynamics . The maximum tyre clearance is 32 millimetres, making the bike suitable even for modern racing tyres with a slightly larger volume.
Key features
- Model: Colnago V5Rs
- Category: Lightweight all-round racing bike
- Frame weight: 685 grams, unvarnished, size 48.5
- Fork weight: 342 grams
- Aerodynamic advantage: 9 watts compared with the V4Rs at 50 km/h
- Ground clearance: Up to 32 millimetres
- Female driver: Elisa Longo Borghini, UAE Team L’IMAD
The V5Rs thus combines low weight with good aerodynamics. For Longo Borghini, who excels both in the mountains and in demanding classics, this design offers a versatile foundation.
More about the model: Colnago V5Rs: Tadej Pogačar gets a new all-round racing bike.
Three bikes, three different designs
| female driver | Placement | Road bike | Character |
| Demi Vollering | 1. | Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL9 | A well-balanced all-round racing bike |
| Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney | 2. | Canyon Aeroad CFR | Aerodynamic high-speed racing car |
| Elisa Longo Borghini | 3. | Colnago V5Rs | A lightweight and fast all-round racing bike |
For ambitious road cyclists, the most important thing to realise is this: there is no such thing as the ‘best’ road bike in absolute terms, as it all depends on how you intend to use it. The decisive factor is whether maximum aerodynamics, low weight or the most balanced overall package is required. The three bikes on the podium show that all three approaches can lead to success.
>> Tour de France: The bikes of the top three
>> Tour de France: The bikes of the top three in the mountains classification
>> Tour de France: The bikes of the top three in the sprint classification
Thomas Musch
Publisher