Bontrager XXX Blendr stem measures 130mm in length and possesses a -17-degree drop(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Cabling is neatly tucked away beneath the stem, feeding through the headset and into frame(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Depsite newer and lighter saddle options available, Stuyven chose to keep his trusty Bontrager inForm Team Issue perch (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The Madone's adjustable top-tube IsoSpeed decoupler irons out road buzz and imperfections - ideal for the cobbled sections (Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Stuyven's Madone utilises a fully-appointed Bontrager cockpit(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Trek's lightweight Bontrager Bat Cage bottle cages feature rubber grommets on the edges to further secure water bottles on the cobbles(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Bontrager's built-in DuoTrap Digital Speed/Cadence Sensor(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The nature of the route profile prompted Stuyven to call upon a 54/41T chainset configuration with a 10-33T cassette(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
47mm Bontrager Aeolus XXX 4 wheels wrapped in 25C Pirelli P-Zero tubulars kept progress smooth and predictable(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Not the deepest rim profile around but shallow enough to stave off the effects of crosswinds(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The SRAM Red eTap AXS rear mech still bears the marks of war(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Jasper Stuyven bagged the biggest victory of his career when he outsprinted compatriot Yves Lampaert (Deceuninck-QuickStep) in a two-man sprint to secure the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad title in tough, trademark Opening Weekend conditions. This result couldn't have come at a better time for the Trek-Segafredo rider after a string of below-par performances put paid to the Belgian's Spring Classics ambitions last year.
Stuyven made his debut as a professional rider in 2014 and has long been considered as the next big Belgian prospect despite living in the shadow of decorated cobbled Classics campaigners, Greg Van Avermaet and Philippe Gilbert. The Trek-Segafredo rider lived up to his potential when he won Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne back in 2016, following up that performance with a fourth-place finish in the Omloop two years later.
Trek-Segafredo elected to use their flagship Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc eTap bikes. The Madone is highly regarded for its stellar ride quality thanks in part to the adjustable top-tube IsoSpeed decoupler and aero shaped seatpost - attributes that would no doubt have come in handy for Stuyven and his teammates over the rougher, cobbled roads of the Omloop route.
Stuyven's Madone features a red/white design style that runs throughout the bike's composition. The signature colourway known as 'Viper Red/Trek White' provides the perfect canvas from which to display both the sponsor logos as well as Trek's very own moniker, the latter of which takes up most of the downtube's real estate.
The component list is naturally from the top drawer. A full SRAM Red eTap AXS drivetrain complete with a 54/41T, 10-33T chainset configuration takes care of the gearing. This ratio provides a good balance between top-end shunt and climbing efficiency and would have ensured predictable and precise shifting accuracy over the cobbled sectors. Speaking of cobbles, a clever hack from the Trek-Segafredo mechanics saw the inclusion of several rubber grommets on the edges of the Bontrager Bat Cage bottle cages to safeguard and guarantee the safe passage of the water bottles.
The red/white theme continues into the cockpit where a compendium of Bontrager accessories such an XXX Blendr stem (130mm, -17degree) and XXX Aero handlebar combo wrapped in Bontrager Perf Line bar tape round off the touchpoints.
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To make the most of the conditions on the day and nullify the effects of crosswinds, Stuyven chose to employ the semi-aero 47mm Bontrager Aeolus 4 XXX tubular wheels wrapped in 25C Pirelli P-Zero tubular tyres. Lastly and rather surprisingly, the now-discontinued Bontrager inForm Team Issue saddle completes the build proving pro riders do indeed have preferences and prefer to stick with components they've tried and tested.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at Jasper Stuyven's Trek Madone SLR Disc
Jasper Stuyven's Trek Madone SLR 9 eTap AXS Disc full bike specifications
Frameset: Trek Madone SLR Disc 700 Series OCLV carbon
Aaron was the Tech Editor Cyclingnews between July 2019 and June 2022. He was born and raised in South Africa, where he completed his BA honours at the University of Cape Town before embarking on a career in journalism. Throughout this career, Aaron has spent almost two decades writing about bikes, cars, and anything else with wheels. Prior to joining the Cyclingnews team, his experience spanned a stint as Gear & Digital editor of Bicycling magazine, as well as a time at TopCar as Associate Editor.
Now based in the UK's Surrey Hills, Aaron's life revolves around bikes. He's a competitive racer, Stravaholic, and Zwift enthusiast. He’s twice ridden the Cape Epic, completed the Haute Route Alps, and represented South Africa in the 2022 Zwift eSports World Championships.
