Pro bike: Gustav Larsson's Saxo Bank-Sungard Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3

Saxo Bank-Sungard rider Nick Nuyens became a hometown hero on Sunday, deftly winning the Tour of Flanders over popular favourites Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) and Sylvain Chavanel (QuickStep) using his standard Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 road race machine.

Sorry, the bike profiled here isn't quite Nuyens' race-winning machine - this one belongs to teammate (and Giro d'Italia stage winner) Gustav Larsson. But in all fairness, Larsson's bike is little changed from that of the new Belgian hero.

The carbon frames and forks used in this past Sunday's Ronde are the same as what Saxo Bank-Sungard riders usually race on during the season with no modifications made to tackle the Flandrian cobbles - at least nothing visible that is - with the usual features all present and accounted for: the oversized tubing, the tapered front end, the BB30 bottom bracket shell with integrated bearings, the cleverly hollow aluminum dropouts, and the standard pairing of giant chain stays and slim seat stays.

Most of the equipment is carried over from the regular season, too, including the SRAM Red group, Zipp 303 carbon tubular wheels, and Specialized's own FACT carbon cranks (with an SRM power measuring spider), S-Works Pro-Set forged aluminum stem, and anatomic Romin saddle (with solid titanium rails - something not normally offered aftermarket to consumers).

Finishing things off are FSA's aluminum Energy New Ergo handlebar and zero-setback K-Force SB0 carbon seatpost, SwissStop Yellow King pads, Speedplay Zero Titanium pedals, Tacx Tao aluminum cages, a Cane Creek integrated headset, SRM's Powercontrol 7 computer, and Gore Ride-On sealed derailleur cables and housing.

Total weight as pictured is 7.29kg (16.07lb) - impressive for something that is intended to take such a beating and even more impressive for a rider of Larsson's size, who stands at 1.94m (6' 4") tall.

All in all, Saxo Bank-Sungard's Tour of Flanders-winning bike is essentially standard issue - and that's the point. While Paris-Roubaix's more brutal pavé will likely bring out a greater number of special machines, bike technology - and rider attitudes - looks to have advanced enough that everyday race rigs now get the job done just fine.

This article first appeared here on BikeRadar.

Complete bike specifications:

Frame: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3 FACT 11r, 56cm
Fork: Specialized FACT carbon
Headset: Cane Creek integrated, tapered 1 1/8"-to-1 1/2"
Stem: Specialized S-Works Pro-Set, 130mm x -8°
Handlebars: FSA Energy New Ergo, 42cm (c-c)
Tape/grips: Specialized S-Wrap Roubaix
Front brake: SRAM Red w/ Zipp grey-compound carbon-specific pads by SwissStop
Rear brake: SRAM Red w/ Zipp grey-compound carbon-specific pads by SwissStop
Brake levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap
Front derailleur: SRAM Red w/ steel cage
Rear derailleur: SRAM Red
Shift levers: SRAM Red DoubleTap
Cassette: SRAM PG-1070, 11-25T
Chain: SRAM PC-1091
Crankset: Specialized S-Works w/ SRM power meter, 175mm, 53/39T
Bottom bracket: Specialized integrated
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Titanium
Wheelset: Zipp 303 tubular
Front tire: Specialized S-Works tubular by Veloflex
Rear tire: Specialized S-Works tubular by Veloflex
Saddle: Specialized Romin w/ solid titanium rails
Seat post: FSA K-Force SB0
Bottle cages: Tacx Tao (2)
Computer: SRM PowerControl 7
Other accessories: Gore Ride-On sealed derailleur cables and housing

Critical measurements:

Rider's height: 1.94m (6' 4")
Rider's weight: 77kg (170lb)
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 838mm
Saddle setback: 80mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 580mm
Seat tube length, c-c: 530mm
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 600mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 130mm
Head tube length: 170mm
Top tube length: 565mm (horizontal)
Total bicycle weight: 7.29kg (16.07lb)

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