As mechanics work on each team's bike ahead of the 2024 Tour Down Under, there is one paint job that undeniably stands out from the crowd. The bright pinks, yellows and garish patterns on EF Education's Cannondale Supersix Evo Lab 71 can't help but catch the eye, as Cannondale has created perhaps its brightest creation yet for the American squad in 2024. The likes of Alberto Bettiol, Richard Carapaz and Alison Jackson will take on the year ahead aboard the Supersix and the bold, loud design certainly reflects the brave riding style of the team's key superstars.
The yellow, pink and red on the bike represent the winner's jerseys in cycling's three Grand Tours: the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. They also match with the team's signature pink jersey which features the iconic Rapha armband in a bright sunshine on the sleeve. The Supersix Evo Lab 71 is the most premium bike in Cannondale's range, with the Lab 71 moniker indicating that the frame is made of Cannondale's Series 0 Carbon (the lightest and stiffest in its range.) It's expected that both EF Education teams will solely ride the Supersix Evo in 2024 as Cannondale market it as an all-rounder frame that can be used on a multitude of terrain.
As we've come to expect from EF Education-EasyPost, no stone has been left unturned when it comes to ensuring that every inch of the Cannondale Supersix is covered in colour – the bottles match the paint work perfectly, sitting in Elite cages. Cannondale does produce its own bottle cages but Doull's bike didn't have them on for this race.
Interestingly, Owain Doull's bike (pictured) featured Vision Metron 5D integrated handlebars, rather than the MoMo design Cannondale one-piece System Bar that was listed as in the bike's spec by the team a few months ago. Vision provides wheels for the American team, but it was understood that they would be using Cannondale's own handlebar system in 2024. The team use Wahoo computers, with most opting for the Elemnt Roam model at the Tour Down Under. Although the Roam is a bigger size than the more compact Bolt, it's possible that a lack of time for recons and unfamiliar roads at the Tour Down Under meant that riders wanted a clearer maps page.
The handlebars were wrapped in Prologo Onetouch 2 handlebar tape, with the tops left bare as the Vision bars feature a grippy surface to ensure there is no risk of hand slippage. Once again in 2024, the team are using Shimano Dura-Ace R9200 shifters and brakes.
Doull's bike also had a 56/40T Full Speed Ahead K-Force Team Edition crankset which features hollow carbon fibre arms with the aim of achieving stiffness alongside minimal weight. The crankset had a Shimano Dura Ace HG-901 chain and NG PowerBox power meter. With one of the team's key backers being Wahoo, the team also uses Wahoo Speedplay Aero pedals.
The bike has a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200 rear derailleur and Vision Metron 60 SL wheels, dressed with 28mm Vittoria Corsa Pro tyres which were clinchers. The Vision Metron 60 wheels have been lauded for their stability in crosswinds, with Vision stating that they feature the most advanced Vision carbon technology.
Doull was using a Prologo Dimension Scratch M5 which is said to have five mapped zones that work individually, supporting the normal pedalling movement both during the pushing and pulling phases, helping to distribute pressure across a wide range of areas.
A closer look at the paint work and patterning on EF Education team bike shows the impressive attention to detail from Cannondale's designers. Despite the loud colours, the bike avoids looking too flashy, instead striking the balance between eye-catching yet tasteful design. The Cannondale logo still stands out, too. EF Education has been known to release limited-edition paint jobs on their frames for the Grand Tours, so it remains to be seen if the current design will be kept all season. The use of the colours of each leader's jersey means it would fit in any Grand Tour, so it could be that they stick to this design throughout the year.
