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Specialized came out with The Forward 50 LTD collection shortly before the Paris Olympics, celebrating Specialized's fiftieth anniversary and kick-starting the next 50 years of innovation. The Forward 50 LTD collection is a distinctive colour scheme - pink, grey, silver, gold - used by Specialized athletes on bikes and helmets in Paris.

The Olympics went very well for Specialized, with five medals won (3x in road and 2x in Olympic cross).

Remco Evenepoel, was the "man of the match" in cycling, becoming the first athlete in Olympic history to win gold in both group and endurance events at the same Olympics. The Belgian athlete, who is 171 cm tall and weighs 61 kg, used a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 bicycle in the group race.


 

Remco bike spec:

• Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8, size 52 cm
• Saddle post: SW Tarmac SL8 Carbon 0 offset.
• Groupset:Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9250 12-speed
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-Ace 9270 hydraulic disc, Shimano CL900 brake discs 160mm front and 140mm rear.
• Wheels: Roval Rapide CLX II Team
• Tyres: Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton 26mm with latex inner tube
• Handlebar: Roval Rapide 380mmx115mm
• Crank: Shimano Dura ace FC-9200P with force gauge, sprocket size 56/40 - 165mm.
• Chain trap: K-EDGE Pro Braze-on Chain Catcher with Universal Power Meter Magnet
• Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace R9200
• Saddle: Specialized S-Works Mirror Power 143
• Bottle cages: Tacx Ciro
• Tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
• Computer holder: K-EDGE Garmin Specialized Future Mount
• Bottom Bracket: CeramicSpeed BSA Bottom Bracket for Shimano Road
  
   

Remco's pace bike was a Specialized S-Works Shiv TT Disc:

Remco TT bike spec:

• Frame: Specialized S-Works Shiv TT Disc - S size.
• Saddle post: Shiv 0 offset
• Group: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9250 12-speed
• Brakes: Shimano Dura-AceST-R9180+BR-R9270, CL900 140mm front and rear discs.
• Front wheel: Roval (new, no running info!).
• Rear wheel: Roval 321 sprocket (new, no stock (new)).
• Tyres: Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton 26mm with latex inner tube.
• Steering: Speedbar custom
• Cranks: Shimano Dura ace FC-9200P 165mm - 1x sprocket 62T cabon, made by Digirit.
• Chain catcher: K-EDGE 1x Race Chain Guide
• Bottom Bracket: CeramicSpeed BSA Bottom Bracket for Shimano Road
• Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 Pedals
• Saddle: Specialized Sitero Pro 130mm
  
   

Lotte Kopecky (170 cm tall and 66 kg), Olympic bronze medallist in the women's group event, also used a Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8.

 

Lotte bike spec:

• Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8, size 52
• Saddle post: SW Tarmac SL8 Carbon 0 offset. 
• Groupset: Sram Red eTap AXS
• Brakes: Sram Red eTap AXS, Brake discs Sram Red, front 160mm and rear 140mm
• Wheels: Roval Rapide CLX II Team
• Tires: pecialized S-Works Turbo Cotton 26mm with latex inner tube.
• Handlebar: Roval Rapide 
• Cranks: SRAM Red eTap AXS Quarq 50/37 force gauge, length 165 mm.
• Bottom bracket: Sram DUB BSA.
• Pedals: Time Xpro
• Saddle: Syncros Belcarra Carbon
• Bottle cages: Tacx Ciro.
• Handlebar tape: Supacaz Super Sticky Kush
• Computer holder: Specialized

Mountain bikers had a choice between two bikes, the Epic 8 and the Epic WC, the latter being chosen as it was better suited to the Paris XCO track - lighter and not so soft suspension.

In the men's race, Victor Koretzky (180 cm 69 kg) put up an exciting battle for the win, eventually having to concede to Britain's Tom Pidcock. Nevertheless - a silver medal is a success.

Victor´s  bike spec:
 

• Frame: Specialized S-Works Epic WC FACT 12m, size L
• Front shock: Rock Shox 29" SID SL Ultimate Charger Race Day 2 Remote DebonAir 110mm BOOST 44mm Offset (rope lock).
• Rear shock: Rock Shox-Specialized SID Luxe WCID Ultimate 75mm Rear shock.
• Stem: Syntace
• Handlebar: Specialized Control Carbon SL
• Dropper Seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
• Shifters: SRAM eTap Blipbox with Sram MultiClics x3 knob for both shifting and dropper seatpost.
• Front lock: TwinLoc
• Saddle: S-Works Romin EVO Mirror
• Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate with 160mm front and rear brake discs.
• Groupset: SRAM XX SL AXS Transmission / without drivetrain
• Wheels: Roval Control SL
• Tires: front Specialized Renegade (prototype) and rear Specialized Captain (prototype).
• Pedals: HT Components M2
• Grips: ESI
• Bottle cage: Specialized S-Works Rib Cage

American Haley Batten (173 cm 63 kg), who also won the silver medal, also used a Specialized S-Works Epic WC bike, but with a slightly different setup.

Haley´s bike spec:
 

• Raam: Specialized S-Works Epic WC FACT 12m, M size
• First shock: ROCKSHOX Suspension Fork 29" SID Ultimate Flight Attendant Race Day 110mm BOOST 44mm Offset, electric lock shock.
• Rear shock: Rock Shox-Specialized SID Luxe WCID Ultimate 75mm
• Handlebar: Roval Control Cockpit XC MTB
• Dropper seatpost: RockShox Reverb AXS
• Gear shifting: SRAM Eagle AXS Controller Rocker Paddle R
• Front lock: SRAM Eagle AXS Controller Rocker Paddle L
• Saddle: S-Works Power Mimic
• Brakes: SRAM Level Ultimate with 160mm front and rear brake discs.
• Groupset: SRAM XX SL AXS Transmission / without power meter
• Wheels: Roval Control SL Team
• Tires: front and rear Specialized Renegade (prototype)
• Pedals: HT Components M2
• Grips: ESI
• Bottle cage: Specialized S-Works Zee Cage

All in all, the Paris OM2024 was a great success for all. It was also a great success for us from the perspective of our favourite brand.

We look forward to Los Angeles 2028!