Boonen's newly painted SL2 complete with a nice set of Roval deep section carbon wheels - expect to see them moving very fast come the race season
In 2006 Specialized became the official bicycle sponsor of Team Quick Step, and while we've seen Tom Boonen and Paulo Bettini demonstrating their speed aboard Specialized Tarmac SL frames, they've been noticeable in their absence of Roval wheels.
For 2008 that's set to change though, with Specialized announcing that the entire Quick Step team will race the 2008 season exclusively on Roval wheels. Five models of wheels have been developed and will be at the riders' disposal, being tailored to the different demands that different races bring. For the spring classics the Roval Roubaix is expected be used.
While Roval wheels haven't been the first choice of the team before, we have seen them in use on a couple of occasions. In the 2007 Tour de France prologue around the streets of London, Boonen rode a Roval Rapide Star carbon front wheel.
Additionally, Campagnolo will collaborate with Specialized to build three of the five team Roval wheelsets. They'll feature Specialized hubs and spoking patterns and use Campagnolo rims and spokes/nipples, being assembled at Campagnolo's facility in Vicenza, Italy.
“I have always had the greatest respect for Campagnolo,” says Specialized founder and president Mike Sinyard. “The brand's quality, integrity and history make them one of the most distinguished companies in our sport. It is a great honour that Campagnolo has agreed to work with us to co-develop and assemble world-class race wheels. I look forward to other similar projects in the future.”
www.specialized.com
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