Despite swapping teams over the winter, World Champion Thor Hushovd has managed to keep the same bike, but there are plenty of changes for the Garmin-Cervélo rider for 2011
Rotor cranks remain although Hushovd has finally moved over to the ovalised Q-factor rings.
Even when swapping teams, riders often maintain pedal sponsors, as changing this vital interface can cause issues.
This change, however, is even more unusual; despite a swap from Shimano to SRAM for the stop and go parts, Speedplay has been replaced with Shimano’s new carbon PD-7850 SPD-R pedal.
Wheels are the final big change. Mavic’s Cosmic Carbone Ultimates have pride of place on the S3.
Despite the stickers, the PowerLink and Grip Link-labelled tubulars lack some of the French companies’ identifying marks and are most likely rebranded Italian rubber.
Like most pro cockpits, Hushovd’s eschews superlight carbon bars in favour of something more resilient.
With light frames and a UCI minimum weight limit of 6.8kg, the slightly heavier aluminium bar is a sensible way to add a few grams.
The traditional drop 3T Pro bars and ARX Team stem mismatch may be an early season availability issue (these shots were taken at the Tour of Oman but, more likely, a powerful rider like Thor prefers the stiffer, heavier bar.
One thing to note: the mechanics appear to have swapped out the Allen bolts for Torx head versions. It’s interesting to see that the larger Garmin Edge 800 is fitted over the usual racer’s favourite, the Edge 500. Perhaps the larger screen is easier to see, when on the ragged edge.
The 3D Plus crank is a direct result of feedback from Rotor’s work with the original Cervélo Test Team, while the custom paintjob is a result of Hushovd’s own hard work.
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