Aerodynamic profiling of the tubing features throughout the bike(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The bike has a full carbon fork and the team opts to run the SRM speed sensor on the front wheel(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The fork crown cuts into the down tube of the frame(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Continental Competition tubular tyres are the most popular in the WorldTour peloton(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The 2018 Reacto reduced the size of the seat stay junction on the seat tube(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Colbrelli's view of his cockpit(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Another look at Colbrelli's 2018 aero race bike(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The seat post and seat tube features a flat rear profile(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
A closer look at the tyre profile(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
A birds-eye view of Colbrelli's cockpit(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The Italian sprinter opts for Vision Metron 6D integrated handlebars(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
A closer look at the front hub of the Fulcrum Speed 55T carbon aero wheels(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The bike runs a Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 groupset(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Paired with the Dura-Ace groupset is a SRM Origin power meter crankset with Dura-Ace 9000 series chain rings(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The team is using older Dura-Ace 9000 series pedals(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Colour coordinated Elite Custom Race Plus bottle cages are paired with the Reacto(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Bahrain-Merida have team edition Prologo Scratch 2 Nack saddles(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The bike features an S-Flex seat post design to help absorb shocks and improve comfort(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The angular seat cluster is a popular design for aero bikes(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
A look at the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150 rear derailleur(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
The bike runs direct mount Dura-Ace brakes(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Bahrain-Merida bikes are all equipped with gold SRM PC-8 head units(Image credit: Sadhbh O'Shea)
Sonny Colbrelli was first seen race testing the third incarnation of the Merida Reacto at the Criterium du Dauphine in June, before the 2018 version of the bike was launched officially ahead of the Tour de France.
The aero frame sees updates to improve comfort and aerodynamics and reducing weight.
Bahrain-Merida raced on dark blue versions of the bike this season following the launch earlier in the year, but ahead of the 2018 season the team opt for a black design while retaining the distinctive gold and red detailing of the team.
Gold detailing of the bike continues with the SRM PC-8 headunit that pairs with the SRM Origin crankset. Colbrelli runs 172.5mm cranks and 53/39 Dura-Ace 9000 series chainrings.
A Shimano Dura-Ace R9150 groupset is paired with the frameset, with Fulcrum providing the Speed 55T carbon tubular wheels for Colbrelli.
Prologo supply the contact points of handlebar tape, which wrap the Vision Metron 6D bars, and a custom Prologo Scratch 2 Nack saddle.
Click or swipe through the gallery above for a closer look at the Italian sprinter’s bike.
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