Cervelo's latest R5 model weighs an impressively light 5.97kg; however, questions arise as to whether the Tour de France Femmes gave it premature attention before its official sale.

The cycling world is abuzz with excitement as Cervelo unveils its latest creation, the new R5. This sleek and lightweight bike promises to redefine performance for cycling enthusiasts everywhere.

Weighing in at an impressive claimed weight of 5.97kg, the new R5 is a staggering 100 grams lighter than its predecessor. This weight reduction is achieved through a meticulous redesign of every detail of the frame, from a significantly narrower down tube, thinner seat tubes, a revised bottom bracket area, and a lighter seat post clamp mount, to a fork that no longer has the prominent chin and features a direct-mount front brake, eliminating the need for an adapter plate.

The frame and fork of the new R5 weigh under 950 grams in a size 56, thanks in part to a lighter carbon layup and revised tube shapes. The inclusion of the all-new HB18 cockpit results in a further 150-gram weight reduction, while the new Reserve 34/37 SL wheelset helps drop another 60 grams from the R5's total weight.

The R5 can be ridden by the rest of us in a sub-6kg guise. For those seeking a more affordable option, the two bikes below the R5 in the range come with DT Swiss 240 hubs and are offered in Force AXS and Ultegra Di2 builds. These models retail at $9,950 / £8,500, while the frameset option costs $6,500 / £5,000.

The new R5 is equipped with the lightest groupset currently available, Sram's Red AXS, with a claimed total weight similar to the Dura-Ace Di2-equipped version. The R5 comes with a updated components that help reduce the bike's total weight by a claimed 326 grams.

The winning bike of choice for Pauline Ferrand-Prevot at the Tour de France Femmes was the new Cervelo R5, while Tadej Pogacar, despite leaving his featherweight climber bike on the roof of the team car for the entire Tour de France, even during the hilly stages, did not use the R5 during this year's TdF.

Cervelo's Engineering Manager, Scott Roy, has mentioned that the UDH hanger of the new R5 is sleeker-looking and nicely machined with a lower profile. The new R5 also boasts altered geometry to match the S5, with a stack and reach of 567.7mm and 391.1mm respectively for a size 56.

The new Cervelo R5 is available for purchase as a frameset, including the HB18 cockpit and the SP33 seatpost, or as a complete bike with the Red AXS or Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets. The Red AXS model retails at $14,250 / £11,500, and the Dura-Ace Di2 model at $14,000 / £11,000.

With its lightweight design, updated components, and sleek aesthetics, the new Cervelo R5 is sure to be a hit among cycling enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a weekend warrior, the R5 promises to deliver an unparalleled riding experience.

Cervelo's latest R5 model weighs an impressively light 5.97kg; however, questions arise as to whether the Tour de France Femmes gave it premature attention before its official sale.