Stefan Küng races 'prototype' Aircode Disc at Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne as Groupama-FDJ work with Lapierre to fine-tune new bike
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The all-new 'prototype' Lapierre Aircode Disc(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The bike was spotted atop the roof of a team car after Omloop Het Nieuwsblad(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
It uses Shimano's 12mm thru-axles with quick release(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The rear uses the same 12mm bolt through standard and internal cabling(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The bike is currently fitted with Pro components(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Küng is using the Pro Vibe Superlight handlebars and Vibe stem(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The shape of the spacers suggests there could be an integrated bar/stem in the worksan integrated handlebar could (Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Shimano's Di2 junction box is currently situated under the stem(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The slightly oval seatpost was fitted with Küng's race number ahead of Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
The frame features aerodynamic profiling throughout(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The frame also features what looks to be compliance boosting seat junction(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Küng is using a Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 groupset(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
The fork and frame codes confirm that this is indeed the new Lapierre Aircode(Image credit: Josh Croxton)
Küng's groupset uses Shimano's Dura-Ace R9100-P power meter chainset(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
Küng's saddle uses carbon rails, it's unclear whether a different clamp is needed for round rails(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
For race day, Küng is using Elite Custom Race Plus cages with Elite Fly bottles(Image credit: Aaron Borrill)
An all-new Lapierre Aircode Disc has been spotted at Opening Weekend. The disc brake-equipped aero bike was seen atop the roof of a Groupama-FDJ team car in Ninove, at the finish line of Saturday's Belgian Classic, and was then ridden by Stefan Küng on Sunday's Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Despite having ridden the new bike at his recent outing at Volta ao Algarve, the Swiss rider returned to his team-issue Lapierre Xelius for Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, however, Küng was back aboard the new bike for Sunday's 200km UCI 1.Pro race in Kuurne.
A new model called Aircode Disque has been present on the UCI's list of approved frames and forks since July 2019, and our initial assumptions were confirmed when cross-referencing the frame code LAP-AIR3-RD with the UCI sticker attached to the bike.
The new bike, conspicuous by its absence of any logos or branding, is finished in a brilliant-white matt effect and is most noticeably equipped with disc brakes - something that was missing from the former Aircode's line-up. The new bike features updated aero tubing throughout, with a truncated head tube and what looks to be a compliance-boosting seatpost junction.
There's also part-integrated cabling at the headset, so while this model is fitted with a Pro handlebar and stem, the shape of the spacers suggests there might be a proprietary integrated bar-stem combo when the bike is made available for purchase.
Küng was tight-lipped about details, but told Cyclingnews that the bike is still unfinished and that he and his team were working with Lapierre to develop the new aero bike. Groupama-FDJ's press officer elaborated, stating they were hoping to have a finished product ahead of Paris-Nice, which starts on Sunday 8th March.
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.
