BIKE CHECK: Mads' Classics Rig

Mads Pedersen soloed to glorious victory at Gent-Wevelgem aboard his Trek Madone outfitted with SRAM Red XPLR groupset - the perfect tool for the classics

Mads Pedersen’s 50th professional victory could not have arrived in better fashion. Mads, backed by a deep Lidl-Trek squad, dominated the 87th edition of Gent-Wevelgem. The 250km course comprises of rough roads, gravel ‘Plugstreets’, and cobbled climbs – everything you can expect from the Belgian classics. The victory was also noteworthy, as it was the first road race triumph aboard a bike fitted with SRAM’s gravel-oriented 1x RED XPLR AXS drivetrain – a setup that looks like it is here to stay. Here’s the lowdown on Mads’ cobble-crushing rig.

Frame: Trek Madone SLR 8, size L

Groupset: SRAM 1x RED XPLR AXS

Chainring: 56t

Crank length: 172.5mm

Cassette: 10-46

Chain catcher: K-Edge

Pedals: Time XPro 10

Wheels: Bontrager Aeolus 62 (rear), 51 (front)

Tires: Pirelli Zero Race TLR RS 30mm

Bearings: Tripeak Ceramic

Cockpit: Madone one piece handlebar with TT bar tape. 130mm length (-17 degree tilt), 37-40 flared width.

Saddle: Bontrager Verse Pro