Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS’ team bikes continue to stand out from the crowd thanks to the eye-catching colour design dominated by various shades of red and some blue, reflecting the national colours of the kingdom of Bahrain. Furthermore, the entire team bike arsenal, including the TIME-WARP TT DISC time trial bike, benefits from disc-brake technology, enabling pinpoint braking and modulation in any race situation. With an ever-improving mixture of time trial, sprint and climbing specialists in the team, we are greatly looking forward to seeing how our three bikes perform throughout the season. And as Matej Mohoric's 2022 victory at the Milano – Sanremo classic has shown, MERIDA continues to closely cooperate with the team to optimise their equipment further and give the riders a competitive advantage.
To give the riders detailed and accurate information about their performance, the team has selected the latest generation Shimano Dura-Ace R9200-P power meters. On top of that, the team chooses to use the 9250 Dura-Ace Di2 series groupset, including electronically actuated shifting and hydraulic disc brakes. The latest Di2 version works semi-wirelessly, and the frames of our team bikes have been optimised around this system.
Regarding wheels, Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS trusts in the latest generation of Vision's superb METRON SL Disc wheel series, which were further improved in terms of rim shape and carbon structure. The METRON SL 40 Disc wheels are the first choice for days with plenty of climbing due to their weight of less than 1.25 kg per set. Sprinters and breakaway racers will opt for the METRON SL 60 Disc with a more deep-section rim-profile, offering an improved aero-performance and slightly higher stiffness at full-gas sprinting with somewhat trickier handling in heavy crosswinds as a trade-off. All wheels used by the team are hand-built, trued in Italy and spin on low-resistance ceramic bearings.
The 2021 season saw the team’s gradual switch from tubular to tubeless wheels, an experiment that has been a complete success and has allowed the riders to profit from increased traction and puncture protection without a trade-off in rolling resistance.
Only the best will do when it comes to tyres, so Team BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS continues to use Continental's GP5000S TR tyres for the 2023 season. Available in widths ranging from 25 to 32 mm, these tubeless-ready tyres combine ultimate grip, super-fast rolling speeds and high puncture resistance. FSA and Vision will carry on supplying the cockpits and seat posts with the team using the one-piece Vision METRON stem/handlebar combos, which offer superior aerodynamic performance and improve sprint stiffness during sprints. Vision is also the supplying partner for the one-piece METRON TT time trial cockpits and offers specific, 3D shaped handlebar extensions for the team leaders.
Finally, saddles are supplied by Prologo – all with carbon rails and carbon shells. Riders can choose between the PAS system (with a central recess) and closed-shell designs, plus they can also use Prologo's unique CPC anti-friction system on the covers. The brand-new Scratch M5 saddle will also be provided, offering a compact option that delivers a higher level of comfort and an impressive weight of just 140 grams.
