It’s taken a while for us to get this Tarmac Pro out of Spesh – but well worth the wait. It’s their flagship Tarmac racing model and mighty pretty it is too.

Main features include a Specialized FACT 6r carbon frame with compact race geometry and Zertz seatstay inserts. Lightweight full FACT carbon fork with vibration damping Speed Zertz. There’s also a lighter weight S-Works FACT carbon stem with magnesium face plate, a lighter, vibration-damping S-Works FACT carbon aero handlebar with ergo/aero shaping.

Smoother shifting, lighter weight Shimano Dura-Ace/Ultegra 20-speed drivetrain Lighter FSA SLK MegaExo 2-piece carbon crankset Lighter Mavic Ksyrium Elite high performance wheels. All good stuff at a pretty tempting price too.

It’s long and low – designed specifically for racers. The Gerolsteiner team have Tarmacs in their armoury and you can see why. The first impressions have been good, very good in fact – turning sedate club runs into sprinting rip-ups… The full test to follow in a week or so.

Frame: Specialized FACT 6r carbon, triple monocoque, compact race geometry, Zertz seatstay inserts
Fork: Specialized FACT monocoque carbon fork, full carbon legs, crown and steerer, with Speed Zertz.
Headset: Specialized Mindset Plus, 1 1/8″ integrated threadless, sealed stainless steel cartridge bearings, carbon 20mm cone with two 5mm alloy spacers
Stem: S-Works FACT carbon stem, magnesium face plate, 31.8mm handlebar clamp
Bars: S-Works FACT, 31.8mm clamp diameter
Tape: Body Geometry Bar Phat, cork ribbon with 2.5mm gel padding
Brakes: Shimano Ultegra
Levers: Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed, STI, flight deck compatible
Front derailleur: Shimano Ultegra, 31.8mm clamp, bottom pull
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace, short cage
Cassette sprockets: Shimano Ultegra, 12-25t
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace, 10-speed
Cranks: FSA SLK MegaExo, 2-piece carbon crankset 53x39T
BB: FSA integrated, exterior cartridge bearings, alloy
Pedals: None
Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium Elite, welded aluminum double wall rim, machined sidewalls
Tyres: Specialized Mondo Pro, 700x23C, aramid bead, 120TPI
Tubes: Specialized standard presta tube, 0.9mm thickness
Saddle: Body Geometry Alias, carbon reinfoced base, hollow titanium rails, microfiber cover
Seat post: Specialized Pavé FACT carbon seatpost with Zertz insert, 27.2mm
Seat clamp: Specialized, forged/CNC, double wedge

• Sizes: 49, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 61 sloping geometry.
• Colours: Blue
• Price: £2699.99
• www.specialized.com

Seat post clamp	Zertz Forkz	Full on racer
FSA’s latest ‘Mega’ crank	Comfy BG saddle	Loads of Carbon extras