Sylvain Chavanel (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) celebrates his 34th birthday today, at the 2013 Tour de France, and Specialized have run him up an eye-catching Tarmac SL4 as a present.
The bike – which has been kept under wraps until today’s 156km stage from Bastia to Ajaccio – takes its flouro orange hue from the French former national road race champion’s American muscle car, a Chevrolet Camaro. On the top tube and inside the seatstays, a bike parts motif has been incorporated into the design.
The special edition bike is part of a Specialized programme celebrating some of the top pro riders who have a strong association with the American company, including Chavanel’s teammate Mark Cavendish’s custom Venge and a new bike for Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff Bank).
A limited run of just 50 the Chavanel special will be released later this month but only in France. Prices are to be announced.
Sylvain chavanel's custom painted specialized tarmac sl4
Video: Sylvain Chavanel's Specialized Tarmac SL4
It’s not the first time Chavanel has ridden bike with a striking paint job at the Tour. Early in the 2010 race he rode a yellow-and-green Eddy Merckx to celebrate a short but simultaneous tenure in the two jersey colours.