Although Piganzoli’s description catches the imagination, Head of Performance Equipment Jenco Drost is perhaps more capable of explaining what makes the bikes and their newest updates tick with the riders.

"The new Cervélo S5 is faster, more aerodynamic and slightly lighter than its predecessor. But the biggest difference is the handlebars”, Drost says. "The handlebars and stem are now made from a single piece and the position has changed slightly. There is now a slight flare in the handlebars, making the top of the handlebars narrower. When you place your hands on top of the shifters, you sit narrower than at the bottom of the bracket. This is a significant improvement for the rider's position. You sit more aerodynamically, but also in a more natural position." 

According to Drost, the S5 is used in about 90 percent of all races. One of its biggest fans is Jonas Vingegaard, who even rode it on all the mountain stages. "That’s mainly because the handlebar is now lighter", Drost explains. "His bike now weighs around 6.8 to 6.9 kilograms." 

To celebrate his victory in the Spanish Grand Tour, Vingegaard received a special gift on the final day of the Vuelta: a red Cervélo S5. The other riders are also extremely enthusiastic. "Everyone is very happy with the new bike. It feels better and faster. The change to the handlebars has resulted in a more comfortable position." 

Alongside the Cervélo S5, Team Visma | Lease a Bike’s climbers have had access to the newly updated Cervélo R5 since June. This purebred climbing machine has an exceptionally low weight and is mainly used on stages with gradients of 10 percent or more. According to Drost, the new R5 represents a major upgrade over its predecessor.

"The previous R5 weighed around 6.8 kilograms; the smallest size of the new model comes in at around 5.8 kilograms. That’s a big difference", Drost explains. Since the UCI enforces a minimum bike weight of 6.8 kilograms, additional components sometimes need to be added to bring it up to the legal limit. "That’s actually really interesting, because it allows us to decide exactly where that weight is added." 

Another major change compared to the previous model is the handlebar. "It now has the same dimensions as the S5, making it easier for riders to switch between the two models. The frame geometry has also been aligned with the S5. The stack and reach measurements differ by just a few millimeters. In the past, the gap between the models was much bigger, and riders were less inclined to swap bikes." 

Finally, the ultimate weapon for the days where nothing but speed is important, the Cervélo P5 enters. A time trial bike so iconic it has been a market leader for years, taking riders to world championships and Olympic gold. This bike will not only be vital for the overall fight in Grand Tours in 2026, but also for the opening stage at the Tour de France. Here, a team time trial through the streets of Barcelona lures, which has already been pointed out as one of the team’s major goals for 2026.

Cervélo S5   

Frame: Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered S5 Fork  

Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/8 x 1-3/8  

Propshaft: Cervélo Aero Thru-Axles, 12x100/142  

Wheels: Reserve 57/64 

Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 700x29c  

Crank: SRAM Red AXS, 54/41T, DUB   

Bottom bracket: SRAM Dub Ceramic, BBright  

Chain: SRAM Red, 12 Speed  

Front Derailleur: SRAM Red AXS, 12 Speed  

Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red AXS, 12 Speed  

Cassete: SRAM Red, 10-33, 12 Speed  

Shifters: SRAM Red AXS, 12 Speed  

Handlebar: Cervélo HB19 Carbon  

Handlebar stem: Cervelo  

Brake hubs: SRAM Red  

Saddle: Prologo  

Seat post: Cervélo SP20 Carbon  

Brake disc: SRAM Paceline X Centerlock  

Bottle cage: Camelback 

Garmin mount: Close the gap 

Specifications Cervélo R5  

Frame: Cervélo All-Carbon, Tapered R5  

Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/4 x 1-1/2  

Thru Axle: Cervelo Aero Thru-Axles, 12x100/142  

Wheels: Reserve 42/49  

Tyres: Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 28 mm  

Crank: SRAM Red AXS, 52/39T, DUB  

Bottom bracket: SRAM DUB Ceramic, BBright  

Chain: SRAM Red, 12 speed  

Front derailleur: SRAM Red AXS, 12 speed  

Rear derailleur: SRAM Red AXS, 12 speed  

Cassette: SRAM Red, 10-33, 12 Speed  

Shifters: SRAM Red AXS, 12 speed  

Handlebar: Cervélo HB18 Carbon   

Brake calipers: SRAM Red  

Saddle: Prologo Scratch M5 Nack  

Seatpost: Cervélo SP33 Carbon  

Brake disc: SRAM Paceline X  

Bottle cage: Camelback 

Garmin mount: Close the gap 

Specifications Cervélo P5  

Fork: Cervélo All-Carbon, Bayonet P5 Fork 

Aero Base Bar Cervélo HB15 Carbon 

Aero Riser Assembly Cervélo EX13 Carbon 

Seatpost: Cervélo SP23 Carbon 

Saddle: Prologo Predator//01TT 

Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB Ceramic, BBright 

Headset: FSA IS2 1-1/8, 36° x 45° / 1-1/4, 45° x 45° 

Front Thru Axle: Cervélo Aero Thru Axle Front, M12x1.5mm, 127mm 

Rear Thru Axle: Cervélo Aero Thru Axle Rear, M12x1.5mm, 170.5mm 

Front Wheel: Reserve 77TA, DT Swiss 180, 12x100mm, 24H, centerlock, tubeless compatible 

Rear Wheel: Reserve DISC 

Tires: Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed TLR 700x29c 

Shifter / Brake Levers: Leap S900 Grip Shifter 

Brake System: SRAM S900 Aero 

Bar-End Satellite Shifter: SRAM AXS Blip Controller 

Satellite Shifter: SRAM AXS Blip Controller 

Crankset: SRAM Red 1 AXS E1, 56T Aero, DUB, with power meter 

Power Meter : SRAM Red AXS 

Chain: SRAM Red E1 

Cassette: SRAM Red E1, 10–33T, 12-speed 

Rear Derailleur: SRAM Red AXS E1 

Brake Rotors: SRAM Paceline X Centerlock