The Quick-Step sprinter answered yet another question about disc brakes early in stage 2, when he required a wheel change. It appeared to go down without a hitch. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
Marcel Kittel, Quick-Step’s burly sprinter, is not the first to use disc brakes in the 2017 Tour de France. That honor goes to Cannondale’s Alberto Bettiol, who used a disc-equipped Cannondale SuperSlice TT bike during the opening stage. Nor is the German the only one using discs during stage two — we spotted Michael Matthews’s bike adorned with disc brakes as well.
But Kittel may very well be the first to seriously contend a stage of the Tour de France with a disc-equipped bicycle, as the rolling stage 2 course from Düsseldorf to Liège favors the sprinting contingent of the peloton. The conditions are an ideal testing ground for the controversial stoppers, with rain in the forecast from start to finish.
Marcel Kittel started Stage 2 of the 2017 Tour de France on a disc-equipped Specialized S-Works Venge ViAS disc. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
The Quick-Step sprinter answered yet another question about disc brakes early in stage 2, when he required a wheel change. It appeared to go down without a hitch. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
Kittel’s bike is outfitted with Shimano’s brand new Dura-Ace Di2 hydraulic disc group set. Those black fins on the rotor aid in cooling the system for more consistent braking power. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
The frame features a custom paint job, too. It looks quite similar to the custom paint he’s had on his bike for about the last year. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
The custom design fills in the S-Works logo mark on both sides of the down tube. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
It’s more intricate up close than it appears at first glance. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
The small details are quite stunning up close. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
More fine details, this time on the seat stays. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
Kittel gets his handlebars from Vision. This stout handlebar/stem combo is ideal for the sprinter, who puts significant lateral force on the cockpit during intense sprint finishes. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
It’s not uncommon to see a stage plan mounted to the stem of a rider’s bike. Sometimes it’s simply a piece of masking tape, while other times it’s a more uniform look, like the sticker on Kittel’s stem for stage 2. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
The saddle’s splatter paint job complements the frame’s custom paint. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
Roval’s CLX 50 Rapide wheels are wrapped in S-Works Turbo tires with a sticky Gripton compound. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
A close-up of Kittel’s tires. Photo: Dan Cavallari | VeloNews.com
And to dispel yet another talking point regarding any potential downsides to disc brakes, Kittel required a wheel change early on in the stage. It appears to have gone off without a hitch.
