Mark Cavendish has ridden a 52cm Venge in the past, but he's on a 49cm S-Works model for the Tour - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
A whopping 140mm stem keeps Cav long and low - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Special riders get special paint - but the multiple-height stem caps are standard - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
The Manx Missile is doing a signature line of CVNDSH softgoods with Specialized as well - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Most cranksets are from one brand, this is from three. SRAM TT rings deliver the power applied at the carbon Specialized crank, with Quarq (SRAM owned) measuring the power in the process - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Look Keo Blade pedals are quite light, but not the friendliest for initial clipping in as they don't hang down - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Specialized usually runs its logos loudly; this is relatively subtle for the Big Red S - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Specialized worked with McLaren on the paint - and it's the same color as Cav's car - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
While any old spacers could work, this arrangement is much more aero - and better looking - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
SRAM Red 22 is the lightest production group out there - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
There is a logo there, you just have to look for it - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Zipp 404s front and rear will likely be in the cards for the early stages - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
SwissStop pads handle braking duties. No HydroR brakes this year! - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Omega Pharma upgrades the standard electrical-tape height marking - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Although this Toupe model doesn't, the forthcoming editions will have super-slick glides on the side of the nose for low-friction pedaling - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
Specialized wants you to know that its fit services are another product you can purchase - Ben Delaney / Future Publishing
British sprint star Mark Cavendish will start the 2014 Tour de France — in England — aboard a custom-painted Specialized S-Works Venge. After previously riding a 52cm frame, Cav switched to a size 49cm frame and is now using a 140mm stem to get low and long.
Specialized partnered with McLaren for the sparkling paint job, which matches Cav's car, team officials said. Compared to Specialized paint jobs of the past, the logos on this frame are relatively subtle.
Handlebar tape is from Supacaz, the company run by Specialized founder Mike Sinyard's son, Anthony.
Check out the gallery above, and the video and specs below, for all the details.
Ben Delaney is a journalist with more than two decades of experience writing for and editing some of the biggest publications in cycling. Having studied journalism at the University of New Mexico, Ben has worked for Bicycle Retailer & Industry News, VeloNews and BikeRadar. He has also previously worked as Global Brand Communications Manager for Specialized. Ben covers all things road and gravel, and can be found logging big miles in the Rocky Mountains that nestle alongside his home in Boulder, Colorado. He has covered the most important bike races in the sport, from the Tour de France and Tour of Flanders, to the Unbound gravel race, and specialises in tech content, showcasing what the pros are riding and putting everyday equipment through its paces.
This website is owned and published by Our Media Ltd. www.ourmedia.co.uk
