Surely it's just a matter of time until manufacturers produce frames without any cable routing(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Trek's IsoSpeed technology provides dampening from any road buzz(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
A look at the non-driveside of Richie Porte's Trek Madone(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
The disc rotors on SRAM's new groupset are now road-specific(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
The crankset has an option of running an integrated Quarq power meter(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Trek-Segafredo have committed to racing entirely with disc brakes this season(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
A look at the new SRAM Red eTap AXS front derailleur(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Porte had his chainring sizes blacked out with a marker pen at the Tour Down Under but rode a 50/37 combination(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Trek-Segafredo have been racing on the new SRAM Red eTap AXS drivetrain since the WorldTour opener at the Tour Down Under(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Porte paired his aero-specific Trek Madone frameset with Bontrager XXX Aeolus 4 wheels(Image credit: Beardy McBeard/SRAM)
Richie Porte (Trek-Segafredo) began his 2019 season with a new team, a new bike and an unreleased groupset.
SRAM's new 12-speed RED eTap AXS groupset was still unreleased at the race - where the Tazmanian finished second on general classification and won the final stage - but was being used by the entire Trek-Segafredo and Katusha-Alpecin squads, as well as Trek-Segafredo and CCC Team in the Santos Women's Tour Down Under.
The new groupset opens up new gearing combinations as the extra cog allows for a 10-tooth option on the cassette, as well as a larger bottom gear. Porte opted for the 50/37 chainring option combined with a 10-28t cassette, a similar combination to traditional racing gearing of 53/39x11-25.
Trek-Segafredo are one of a number of teams in the WorldTour to also commit to disc brakes for the entire season and the pro peloton is converging towards the 160mm front/140mm rear disc rotor setup. As most teams opt for this combination, neutral service should be easier with wheel changes.
Campagnolo was the first groupset manufacturer to introduce a 12-speed groupset option and with SRAM now also on 12-speed, it is surely only a matter of time until Shimano turns up to the party.
As well as the aero-specific Trek Madone frameset (photographed) Porte has been riding, Trek-Segafredo riders also have the choice of riding Émonda and Domane frames.
Click or swipe through the gallery above for a closer look at Richie Porte's 2019 Trek-Segafredo Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc with SRAM RED eTap AXS.
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Richie Porte's Trek Madone full bike specifications
Frameset: Trek Madone SLR 9 Disc, 50cm
Front brake: SRAM RED eTap AXS HRD, 160mm SRAM CentreLine rotor
