Marino Vanhoenacker’s Scott Plasma 3

Vanhoenacker’s Plasma 3 is littered with little tweaks and changes to make it his own.

Although the Plasma 3 isn’t new, the Belgian with a 7:45 Ironman PR has made this Team Commerzbank Scott Plasma 3 his own with an assortment of rare add-ons.

Vanhoenacker’s top tube is painted to commemorate his 7:45 performance at Ironman Austria. 46 minute swim, 4:15 bike and 2:39 run.

Vanhoenacker’s SRAM Red rear derailleur has an extra-long carbon pulley cage that fits massively oversized derailleur pulleys. This larger pulleys spin slower than the standard smaller pulleys at a give speed to reduce bearing friction.

Vanhoenacker has gold braided housing to match his Commerzbank kit and paint scheme.

He has SRAM Red derailleurs and shifters, but uses a Shimano Dura-Ace 7800 rear caliper and Dura-Ace pedals.

Vanhoenacker uses two round bottle cages on the frame and a Profile Design Aerodrink Bracket to carry a bottle between his bars.

He races Zipp 808 wheels with their new-for-2012 hubs built with wider flanges to increase stiffness.

Instead of using standard quick releases, Vanhoenacker has ultra-light Tune version with a thin carbon lever.

Vanhoenacker uses a zero rise stem but elevates his aerobars above his basebar using two risers.

Vanhoenacker uses pieces of electrical tape around the valve stems to prevent them from rattling against the rim.

Marino rides an SRM power meter with a Power Control 7 head unit.

Story and photos by Triathlete senior tech editor Aaron Hersh. Follow him @triathletetech.