Last year, Shimano launched the top-end, heat mouldable R321 road shoes, and they’ve just announced that this year will see a limited edition of that shoe – the R321B – debut at the Tour de France.

The R321s are used extensively in the pro peloton by the likes of John Degenkolb, Michael Matthews, Vasily Kirienka and Shimano will be presenting the shoes to more than 40 others from Orica Greenedge, Giant-Shimano, Sky, Lotto-NLJumbo, Cannondale-Garmin and IAM.

The re-worked version of the shoe will come in Shimano’s iconic blue colour scheme with flashes of yellow for obvious Tour-related reasons.

Teijin Avail 100 Ultra-fine fibre is the main material in the upper, giving it stretch-resistant properties as well as being lightweight and highly durable. The material also moulds itself organically to the foot’s shape during the custom mould process.

That upper sits on an ultra-rigid, lightweight, black and blue cross-carbon weave outsole which has Shimano’s highest 12/12 stiffness rating. It also comes in Shimano’s Dynalast shape as well as offering 22mm of adjustment for the cleats.

The heel cup features a new anti-slip lining, and the whole combination incorporates Shimano’s thermo-mouldable custom fit material. The heat treatment and vacuum fitting process available from certain dealers helps to provide both a better fit and a more stable pedalling platform. Shimano describe the final result as ‘and eye-catching shoe that fits like a glove’.

Availability for the R321Bs is June, and although there’s no word on pricing yet, expect them to be expensive, though, because the RRP on the current R321 shoes is £299.99.