The Fastest Pro Bikes at the 2023 Ironman 70.3 World Championships
We take a look at the bikes ridden by the five fastest cyclists in the women's and men's pro races at the 2023 70.3 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
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It goes without saying that if you want to be the best, you need to ride with the best, and nowhere was that more true than in last weekend’s 70.3 World Championships in Lahti, Finland: All of the top five women overall had top five bike splits (though fourth-place Emma Pallant-Browne shared her bike split with ninth-place overall finisher, Daniela Ryf); the same stat was true for the men. Today, it’s no longer possible to swim well, ride OK, run really fast, and expect to be on the podium.
With that in mind, we looked at the bikes that the men and women in the top five fastest cyclists rode at the 2023 70.3 World Championships. Of course the bike isn’t the thing that makes these men and women fast, but it’s worth knowing what these speedy triathletes were riding en route to a top-five bike split (and overall finish).
Missed the action in Finland last weekend? Read our recaps of the women’s and men’s pro races, or catch the Ironman 70.3 World Championship replay on Outside Watch.
Section dividerThe Fastest Bikes at the 2023 70.3 World Championships: Pro Women
#1 Bike Split (2:07:52) Taylor Knibb (USA), 1st overall
Trek Speed Concept SLR 9
The race champion for a second consecutive year, Taylor Knibb, used a crushing bike split over two minutes faster than the rest of the field to win. Knibb rode a metallic silver Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 with a SRAM Red AXS 2x drivetrain and an extreme rarity among pro triathletes: a brand-mismatched 60mm deep Bontrager Aeolus front wheel paired with a Zipp Super 9 Tubeless Disc Brake disc wheel.
#2 Bike Split (2:10:00), Imogen Simmonds (CHE), 3rd overall
Canyon Speedmax CF 8
Simmonds had the second fastest bike split of the day en route to a podium place overall. She piloted a Canyon Speedmax CF 8 with a custom Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12-speed 1x drivetrain and a DT Swiss Arc 1100 Disc rear wheel combined with a 62mm front.
#3 Bike Split (2:11:42), Kat Matthews (GBR), 2nd overall
Canyon Speedmax CF 8
Matthews was another podium finisher who rode the svelte Canyon Speedmax CF 8 with the same DT Swiss Arc 1100 wheelset setup as Simmonds, but she opted for a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12-speed 1x groupset with an 11-30 rear cassette.
#4 Bike Split (2:11:45), Paula Findlay (CAN), 5th overall
Specialized Shiv TT
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Fan favorite Paula Findlay rode a Specialized Shiv TT with a Zipp 858 NSW front wheel and a Zipp Super 9 Tubeless Disc Brake Disc rear wheel combined with a SRAM Red AXS 12 speed 1x drivetrain.
#5 Bike Split (2:11:47), Emma Pallant-Browne (GBR), 4th overall
Giant Cadex Tri
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Long heralded as one of the best runners in the sport, Emma Pallant-Browne has upped her bike game to turn in the fifth fastest bike split at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships this year. Pallant-Browne piloted a Giant Cadex Tri bike paired with the unique Cadex 4-spoke aero front wheel and a Cadex disc in the rear and a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12-speed 2x drivetrain.
#5 Bike Split (2:11:47), Daniela Ryf (CHE), 9th overall
Felt IA 2.0
One of the Ironman all-time greats, Daniela Ryf, tied Pallant-Browne with the fifth fastest bike split. Daniela piloted a Felt IA 2.0 with the deep 80mm front DT Swiss Arc 1100 and the full disc in the rear. Daniela raced a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 2x drivetrain.
Section dividerThe Fastest Bikes at the 2023 70.3 World Championships: Pro Men
#1 Bike Split (1:55:14), Frederic Funk (GER), 2nd overall
Cube Aerium C: 68X
Frederic Funk posted a race best sizzling 1:55:14 bike split aboard his Cube Aerium C: 68X. He rode VisionTech Metron wheels with an 91mm front and a full TFW disc in the rear. Funk used a SRAM Red 1x drivetrain.
#2 Bike Split (1:55:43), Mathis Margirier (FRA), 4th overall
Cervelo P5
Margirier was truly the flying Frenchman at 70.3 World Championships, and he rode a Cervelo P5 with another mismatch: a Reserve 50mm front wheel paired with a Zipp Super 9 Tubeless Disc Brake Disc. Margirier used a SRAM Red 2x drivetrain.
#3 Bike Split (1:55:56), Jan Stratmann (GER), 3rd overall
Cervelo P5
The Germans were out in full force on the bike course and the third fastest bike split belonged to Jan Stratmann aboard his Cervelo P5. He rode a DT Swiss Arc 1100 Disc rear wheel and Diecut DB 62mm front wheel. Stratmann used a Shimano Dura Ace Di2 12-speed 2x drivetrain.
#4 Bike Split (1:56:14), Josh Lewis (GBR), 5th overall
Trek Speed Concept SLR 9
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Josh Lewis piloted a Trek Speed Concept SLR 9 with CES Sport wheels. He chose an RC 60 front wheel and a full, RC Disc, as his rear wheel. Lewis used a SRAM Red AXS 12-Speed 1x drivetrain.
#5 Bike Split (1:56:17) Rico Bogen (GER), 1st overall
KU Cycle TF1
The men’s champion only needed the fifth-fastest bike to use his run prowess to charge across the line in first. Bogen piloted a rarely seen KU Cycle TF1 with a 35mm KU front wheel and full disc rear. He chose a SRAM Red AXS 12-speed 1x drivetrain.