Mathieu van der Poel has a shiny new bike for the first mountain bike World Cup of the season in Albstadt, Germany, and he just rode it to a win in the opening short track race.
The multi-discipline star will be riding a Canyon Lux (presumably the SLX version) that has a custom baby blue paint job. The bike is outfitted with Shimano components and Fox suspension.
While we don't have an official specs list, it looks like the Dutchman is running a Fox 34 fork and Float DPS shock, which both feature the brand's Kashima coating that's found on top-end models. In one picture posted by the racer's team, Alpecin-Fenix, a remote lockout is visible on the fork.
Van der Poel's bike features a Shimano XTR drivetrain as well as XTR brakes.
Noticeably, the bike does not have a dropper post, which is a component that's becoming more and more popular among cross-country racers as manufacturers have developed lighter models. Rather, he is running a rigid seat post that can't be lowered on the descents.
It's not apparent what wheels Van der Poel is running, but the bike does use Maxxis Aspen tires. It also looks like he's using a Selle Italia saddle.
After seeing early season success on the road, Van der Poel has signed up to race the first World Cup of the season. The racer is talented across multiple cycling disciplines, and he has won a World Cup in the past.
The first test for van der Poel and his new Canyon was today's short track race, which he won in an aggressive fashion. After a massive dig during the second lap, he was brought back by the competition, which included Olympic champion Nino Schurter. Van der Poel then held off, before going solo at the start of the final lap and clinching the win.
The XCO main event will take place Sunday.
