Get ready for a seismic shift in the world of professional cycling! Just a month into 2026, and the race for aerodynamic supremacy has already ignited, with two of the sport's top teams, Tudor Pro Cycling and EF Education-EasyPost, unveiling what appear to be entirely new time trial machines at the Trofeo Ses Salines in Mallorca. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a bold declaration of intent from bike manufacturers, especially as the focus on time trials intensifies for the upcoming seasons.
Stefan Kung was spotted astride what strongly resembles an all-new BMC Timemachine, signaling a significant evolution for the Swiss brand. But the real buzz is around the EF Education-EasyPost squad, who were seen dominating the course on a bike that is unmistakably a new Cannondale SuperSlice, presented in its premium Lab71 guise. This debut marks a pivotal moment, as time trials are often the proving ground for cutting-edge technology that eventually trickles down to the bikes we all ride.
But here's where it gets interesting... The original Cannondale SuperSlice Disc, first introduced in 2017 and later updated in 2021, was a capable machine. However, it wasn't exactly a household name, with limited availability in key markets like the UK. While it adhered to the prevailing time trial bike design trends of its era, the escalating importance of time trials in WorldTour events for 2026 and beyond has clearly compelled Cannondale to embark on a radical redesign. After all, where else do brands get to push the boundaries of innovation and test technologies that will eventually shape the future of road cycling?
From the available images, this new SuperSlice represents a clean-slate design for the American manufacturer, pointing towards a distinct new direction. The Lab71 designation strongly suggests the use of their Series 0 carbon fibre, a material known for its exceptional lightness and stiffness. The frame's geometry appears to be sculpted, featuring a notably deep and reprofiled head tube, a more substantial fork, and an optimized rear end with a refined seat tube cutout. All the bikes are cloaked in a sleek black finish, accented by crisp white Cannondale wordmark logos on the downtubes.
And this is the part most people miss... The most striking evolution is the adoption of a newer mono-stack basebar, paired with Vision Metron TFE Evo extensions. This integration creates a far more aerodynamic front end, a crucial element in shaving precious seconds against the clock. Vision also supplies the wheels, with a Metron TFW disc wheel at the rear and a complementary front system. As we've seen with EF Education-EasyPost's use of SRAM groupsets on their SuperSix Evo, it's no surprise that these new SuperSlice Lab71s are equipped with the top-tier SRAM Red AXS groupsets.
While we can't definitively confirm if the new SuperSlice will incorporate Cannondale's innovative Delta Steerer (a triangular steerer tube designed to elegantly route internal cables without the need for an oversized headset bearing), given the intricate cable management required for modern time trial bikes, its inclusion is highly anticipated. We also expect to see wider tire clearance and the integration of a UDH dropout assembly, further enhancing the bike's performance and adaptability.
We'll be keeping a close eye on official announcements and will bring you all the precise details, specifications, and performance data once the bike is officially launched.
What are your initial thoughts on this radical new design? Do you think the increased integration and new materials will give EF Education-EasyPost a significant edge? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
