Tour Pro Bike: Michael Morkov’s Specialized Venge
- By Caley Fretz
- Published Jul. 2, 2012
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Michael Morkov (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) is a master of the breakaway, spending the first two stages of the 2012 Tour de France in the early move and picking up the polka dot jersey along the way. He made the early move at both Paris-Roubaix and Milan-San Remo earlier this year as well. Unsurprisingly, he rides Specialized's aero Venge frame. Zipp 404 tubulars and cockpit and SRAM's new Red group round out the package. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Morkov. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
A new Red 11-25 cassette and derailleur. Home mechanics take note of the long housing — a nice long loop keeps SRAM derailleurs happy. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Morkov rides the 404s most days, his mechanic said. He likes their versatility. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Zipp-sponsored front end. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
No special paint jobs to commemorate Morkov's polka dots, but he does get red hoods and white tape, at least. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Morkov's Venge. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
The ever-popular Tacx cages. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
A Specialized FACT Carbon crank with SRM spider. More importantly, check out the rings: proof that SRAM will be providing their Yaw chainrings for non-Red cranks in the near future. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Hourglass head tube. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
The new Red brakes are designed around wider rims, like those found on the 404. Saxo is using Zipp's new Platinum brake pads as well. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
Michael Morkov's Specialized Venge
Gore cable sets used all around. Photo: Caley Fretz | VeloNews.com
FILED UNDER: Bikes and Tech / Gallery / Pro Bikes / Tour de France TAGS: Michael Morkov / specialized / Specialized Venge / Tour de France
Caley Fretz
Tech Editor Caley Fretz came on board with VN in September 2010, and now splits his year between Boulder, Colorado and Annecy, France. Beyond his journalistic pursuits, he is a category 1 road, 'cross and track racer. He also holds a pro XC mountain bike license, though unlicensed racing is now more his style.
