Pro Bike: Tom Boonen’s Specialized S-Works Venge Vias Disc

To celebrate his 15th and final classics campaign Specialized give Boonen angelic inspired graphics

Philippe Tremblay February 24, 2017

Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media | brakethroughmedia.com — Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

Tom Boonen’s career will be on the eve of coming to a close in six weeks time when he prepares for his final run across the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix on April 9. Over the course of his career Boonen has padded out his palmarès with high-profile wins including three triumphs at the Tour of Flanders, four in Paris-Roubaix, the 2005 world championship title, national titles as well as stage wins at the Tour de France.

Second place at last year’s Paris-Roubaix behind Matthew Hayman, Boonen was persuaded to give the spring classics on last shot. He will do so aboard a custom Specialized S-Works Venge Vias Disc. Earlier this year, Boonen revealed he would race the remainder of his career of disc brakes and won the first ever UCI professional bike race on a disc equipped Venge Vias at the Vuelta Ciclista a la Provincia de San Juan.

Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

“Specialized approached me as they wanted to do a special edition bike for my last pro season, I said yes and I’m really proud and happy of what they have done,” Boonen said. “I always said that I want to close the circle and end my career on a white bike as I started it on white one and Specialized gave me this great opportunity.”

The design celebrates Boonen’s four Paris-Roubaix victories with a four feather wing design. The wings are also supposed to be symbolic of a guardian angel to guide him safely over the cobbles in his final go at his favorite races. Boonen will debut the bike at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.

Photo: Iri Greco / BrakeThrough Media

“I really love it with its paint job and golden touches,” said an appreciative Boonen. “The guardian angel on the top tube will help protect me during this spring and with the ‘Heroes get remembered, but legends never die’ quote, I’m excited to kick off the classics season with this outstanding bike.”

The angelic design was conceived to symbolize protection and guidance through the treacherous terrain of ‘The Hell of the North’ Eric Jepson, component graphic design manager at Specialized explained about the bike designed to honour and celebrate Boonen’s 15-year career. “The idea behind the design has since evolved to encompass the entire final season of Boonen’s legendary career, with the goal of carrying him safely to many victories.”

On the seat tube, the phrase “Hero’s get remembered, but legends never die” is write to comemorate Boonen’s status in the sport.