A detailed look at Tadej Pogacar's all-new prototype Colnago bike

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike
(Image credit: Josh Croxton)

After the first week of racing at the Tour de France, one of the major headlines is just how dominant Tadej Pogačar looks to be. 

With a powerful time trial on stage 1, a storming ride on the cobbles of stage 5, and back-to-back wins on stage 6 and then stage 7 atop La Super Planche des Belles Filles, it appears he is unbeatable on any terrain.

The two-time Tour de France winner has a new bike this summer, the Colnago Prototipo, which he's used for each and every road stage so far. 

The quite-literally named Prototipo is, according to Colnago, actually one of five moulds being tested by the team. With rider feedback, it will eventually narrow the five down to a single final construction that will be made available to the public, presumably as a V4RS to replace the V3RS, the brand's existing lightweight semi-aero race bike. 

During both of his 2020 and 2021 victories at the Tour, the V3RS was Pogačar's bike of choice, but notably, he had two different versions available. 

In 2020, for the most part, he rode a rim brake model, only switching to disc brakes on the flatter days. In 2021, that script was flipped, and he primarily rode with discs, but the rim brake bike came out to play in the high mountains. 

Cyclingnews understands that in 2022, thanks to the advancements of this new bike, the Slovenian will use the disc brake equipped Prototipo on all available stages. If that turns out to be the case and he continues his dominance to take a third consecutive yellow, this will be the first Tour in history to be won purely on discs. 

Ahead of the Grand Départ, we were lucky enough to get up close and personal with the new bike, and naturally, we got the camera out to bring you the details. So grab a coffee, scroll down and join us for a detailed look at the bike that's currently dominating the race. 

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The Colnago Prototipo, assumed to become the Colnago V4RS once it's launched officially. Here it's in UAE Team Emirates' usual colours, but Pogačar has since switched to a similar version with yellow logos, to commemorate his time in yellow.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

One notable design feature is the sunken down tube, helping the bottle sit more snug against the frame. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Its shallow tubes with aero profiles confirm this to be an all-rounder; a lightweight, semi-aero race bike that can do it all. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The aerodynamic shaping to these tube and the junctions is neat and subtle. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

For avoidance of any doubt, this is the very bike that Pogačar is racing, while the UCI sticker confirms it to be a prototype. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

A separate sticker on the rear of the fork confirms that this too is a prototype product. Teams are allowed to use prototypes, but their use is subject to stringent UCI approval, and they must be made available for sale within 12 months. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Cyclingnews understands that this bike is only available with disc brakes. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Tyre clearance for the Prototipo is also unconfirmed, but there appears to be a good amount of space available between the fork legs.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

There's a good gap here too.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Pogačar's bike is fitted here with 26c tyres. Given the gaps, we'd guess there's space for 28c tyres easily, perhaps more.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The bottom bracket is threaded, and fitted here with a Campagnolo Ultra Torque BB.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The seatpost is held using a wedge clamp, which can be accessed from the top tube just in front of the seatpost itself. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The seatpost also has a D-shape to it for increased vibration absorption and aerodynamics.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Up front, the head tube is fairly shallow, but there's a clear truncated aerofoil shape to it.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Here you can see the top race of the headset is notched into the head tube slightly.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

It uses CeramicSpeed's SLT (Solid Lubrication Technology) long-lasting bearings.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Like the rest of his team, Pogačar's bike is fitted with Campagnolo Super Record EPS 12 groupset.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Campagnolo also supplies the wheels.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Campagnolo's Bora Ultra WTO 45 tubeless wheels were fitted when we caught up with the bike.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

WTO stands for Wind Tunnel Optimized, and they have an internal rim width of 19mm. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The wheels were shod with Pirelli's P Zero Race tyres. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

However, instead of using tubeless, Pogačar's bike was fitted with Pirelli's lightweight TPU inner tubes.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Pogačar's pedalsystem of choice is courtesy of Look, courtesy of its lightweight Keo Blade Carbon, with ceramic bearings.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The bottles and cages are also lightweight. The cages are the Elite Leggero Carbon, which weigh in at 17g each, while the Elite Fly bottles are 54g each. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Pogačar uses 172.5mm cranks. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Pogačar has his own signature series Prologo Scratch M5 saddles(Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The Deda Alanera one-piece cockpit is marked up with 'Richard Mille' the luxury watchmaker that sponsors the team.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

Mounted to the front is the SRM PC8 cycling computer. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

The PC8 originally launched in 2013, but it remains one of the only computers that focusses solely on the data, rather than maps or smart integration.  (Image credit: Josh Croxton)

A close up image of Tadej Pogacar's new Colnago Prototipo bike

That's paired with SRM's Origin power meter. (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Tadej Pogačar's Colnago Prototipo: Specifications
FrameColnago Prototipo
GroupsetCampagnolo Super Record EPS 12
BrakesCampagnolo Super Record
WheelsetCampagnolo Bora WTO 45
TyresPirelli P Zero Race
HandlebarDeda Alanera one-piece cockpit
StemDeda Alanera one-piece cockpit
ChainsetCampagnolo Super Record
Power meterSRM Origin
PedalsLook Keo Blade Carbon Ceramic
SaddlePrologo Scratch M5 Tadej Pogačar edition
Bottle cagesElite Leggero Carbon
BottlesElite Fly UAE Team Emirates
Bar tapeDeda
ComputerSRM PC8

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Josh Croxton
Tech Editor

As the Tech Editor here at Cyclingnews, Josh leads on content relating to all-things tech, including bikes, kit and components in order to cover product launches and curate our world-class buying guides, reviews and deals. Alongside this, his love for WorldTour racing and eagle eyes mean he's often breaking tech stories from the pro peloton too. 


On the bike, 32-year-old Josh has been riding and racing since his early teens. He started out racing cross country when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s and has never looked back. He's always training for the next big event and is keen to get his hands on the newest tech to help. He enjoys a good long ride on road or gravel, but he's most alive when he's elbow-to-elbow in a local criterium.