Shimano's Dura-Ace rim brakes provide the stopping power(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The bike features Dura-Ace throughout(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The Dura-Ace chainset is fitted with a 54T outer chainring(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Benoot is also using Shimano's R9100-P power meter(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
A few links removed from the chain should help prevent chain drop over cobbles(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Pro components are used extensively throughout(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Benoot was number 171 for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The proprietary Cervelo seatpost is topped by a Pro Falcon saddle(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
28mm Continental Pro Ltd tubular tyres were used. We're unsure what the 68 marking denotes(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
A K-Edge computer mount keeps Benoot's Sigma Rox computer in check(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Elite provides the Vico cages and Fly Team bottles(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Tiesj Benoot is a 25-year-old classics specialist, born in the Flanders region of Belgium. After turning pro with Lotto-Soudal in 2015, he outlined his potential with 5th place at the Tour of Flanders and 2nd overall at the Belgium Tour. Now at Team Sunweb, Benoot's palmares already boasts success at the highest level, most notably, his victory at the 2018 Strade Bianche.
Benoot followed that up with 5th place at the 2019 edition and has come into the 2020 Spring Classics campaign on good form, opening his account at Omloop Het Niewsblad with 14th place.
This meant Benoot was unable to challenge for a second tilt at Strade Bianche. Instead, his altered program took him to Paris-Nice, where he finished third on stage 1.
For the 2020 season, Benoot's Sunweb team is sponsored by Cervelo, providing him with a choice of the S5 aero bike, or the R5 lightweight bike. For the first races of his campaign, Benoot has opted for the latter.
Despite contentious forms of modern technology working its way into the pro peloton, namely disc brakes and tubeless tyres, Benoot's current setup is traditional in a sense. He's running a lightweight bike with traditional frame shapes, rim brakes and tubular tyres - although he has fitted wider 28mm rubber in an attempt to smooth the cobbles.
Shifting comes courtesy of Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 R9150 groupset and is complete with the brand's own R9100-P power meter. Shimano's subsidiary components company, Pro, also provides the finishing kit, with handlebars, stem, seatpost and saddle all coming from the Japanese brand.
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Benoot has also shortened his chain by a few links in a bid to prevent chain slap and drop over the rough ground. It's been shortened to the point that spinning the cranks backwards in the big-and-big gear shown causes the chain to ship off the 30T sprocket - something the mechanic was keen to point out.
Click through the gallery above for a closer look at Tiesj Benoot's Cervelo R5.
Tiesj Benoot's Cervelo R5 full bike specifications
Frameset: Cervelo R5
Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 rim brake
Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 rim brake
Brake/shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9150
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9100, 11-30T
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace
Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace R9100-P w/ Dual-sided power meter, 54/42T
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
