Here’s the bike on which Joaquim Rodriguez became world number one.
The diminutive Spaniard’s Aeroad CF took pride of place on Canyon’s display, despite the uncertainty surrounding “Purito’s” future with the Katusha team.
In December, Team Katusha learned it would not receive a licence from the UCI to compete in cycling’s elite WorldTour – a decision they are fighting in the courts, in a bid to hold on to a rider who topped the UCI’s rider rankings for 2012.
Rodriguez is targeting overall victory in the Tour de France this season, and will be a key rival to defending champion, Bradley Wiggins, and the Londoner’s Sky Pro Cycling team-mate, Chris Froome.
Last year, the Spaniard won the prestigious La Fleche Walloone and Giro di Lombardia one-day races, and who finished on the podium in both the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a Espana, could leave the team if they fail to gain a licence to compete in cycling’s top tier.
The most obvious aspect of Rodriguez’ Aeroad CF is its size: the 5’7″ Spaniard uses a 50cm frame
Further clues to Rodriguez ownership can be found in the extremely shallow drop in the handlebar and the pink tape: the Spaniard spent much of last year’s Giro d’Italia in the maglia rosa
The very short headtube gives Rodriguez’ machine the appearance of an even smaller frame
No spacers: like most professional riders, Rodriguez likes his handlebar stem slammed onto the top race of the headset
There’s nothing compact about this 53-tooth chainring
Any remaining doubts about the ownership of this Aeroad CF are removed by the top tube sticker
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