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Mathieu van der Poel’s bikes are close to the highest of our most-covered Professional Bike Checks’ listing, and he will get one other one with a brand new Canyon Inflite “CFR”. MvdP had a complete fleet of white Inflites to race for a sixth UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championship title in Tábor, Czechia over the weekend – on the identical course the place he earned his first Elite rainbow stripes virtually a decade earlier.
However whereas his bikes undeniably bought the built-in cable routing improve of the newest evolution of Canyon’s carbon cross Inflite, van der Poel’s frames appeared like they had been having a little bit of an identification disaster – every labeled Inflite CF SLX on the aspect of their seat cluster, however CFR on the highest of their toptubes…
So what provides?
Canyon Inflite CFR of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, startline](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_on-the-start-line.jpg)
Canyon formally launched a higher-spec, extra built-in CFR spec of their carbon Inflite cross bike firstly of this cross season. All constructed round their ultralight Canyon Manufacturing unit Racing carbon development.
And Mathieu van der Poel was racing on it from day one.
However on the skin, this nonetheless appears to be like so much like MvdP’s Inflite CF SLXes that we featured in 2018 & 2019. He’d already gained CX Worlds on this identical bike in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, and now provides a 2024 win. Solely his first Elite win, additionally in Tábor again in 2015, was on a unique bike – a camouflage Stevens Super Prestige.
So, why the Inflite CF SLX vs. Inflite CFR identification disaster?
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR is actually CF SLX cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, in the bus garage](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-but-really-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_in-the-van.jpg)
My first guess would have been that the brand new CFR body was merely not but on the UCI Checklist of Authorized Fashions of Framesets for street/cross/monitor racing. No less than not as lately because the February 1st replace – the day earlier than CX Worlds kicked off.
And all of van der Poel’s bikes featured a UCI-approved sticker with the quantity R059 – the quantity accredited for the CF SLX again in July 2017.
In reality, no Canyon bikes appear to have been added to that listing in any respect in 2023.
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, muddy CF SLX](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_actually-a-CF-SLX-frame.jpg)
However it appears that evidently all the CFR fashions on Canyon’s personal web site have that very same R059 designation. So there actually is nothing completely different between a CFR & a CF SLX body, it appears
The large new characteristic on the lately launched Inflite CFR mannequin was its clear totally inner cable routing. Now with cables directed inside via the Aerocockpit borrowed from the street, and through the headset into the fork. So the CFR frames shouldn’t want exterior cable routing ports, however there nonetheless are 3 of them on the perimeters of the headtube.
![Canyon Inflite CFR Aero Stem inside](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-Aero-Stem-inside-.jpeg)
What’s new although is the CFR fork.
The usual CF SLX had a 1.25-1.5″ tapered steerer. However the CFR makes use of a 1.125-1.5″ tapered steerer with a gap on the prime to permit the rear brake cable to enter the body internally. After which a 1.25″ sleeve extending down from the cockpit (kinda like an previous quill stem) fills within the hole to the identical 1.25″ higher headset bearing within the CFR/CF SLX body.
Race-ready CX bike
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, clean bike #1](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_clean-bike-number-1_Alpecinn-Deceuninck.jpg)
So presumably, that’s a minimal sufficient change to not warrant going via the effort of getting the UCI to approve a whole new body. And apparently, the UCI doesn’t ask too many questions on this fork – with Zwift logos and no exterior cable ports – not being individually on the accredited listing.
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, road training](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_with-28mm-Vittoria-road-training-tires.jpg)
So, basically the identical carbon Inflite as for his earlier 4 championship titles whereas using Canyon.
And, the identical Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 2x 12-speed wi-fi digital groupset that Mathieu van der Poel has raced since its introduction again within the summer of 2021. He’s been on the newest disc brake Di2 groupsets ever since his first Elite Worlds title 9 years in the past.
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, running in the mud](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_running.jpg)
All of it is a tough system to argue with. And Mathieu van der Poel continues to dominate skilled cyclocross racing on this Canyon Inflite CFR. And particularly so, in powerful circumstances just like the unrelenting mud of the Czech course for the 2024 World Championships.
A giant assist falls to an enormous fleet of bikes and a assist workers with a contemporary, clear bike each half lap. See van der Poel with a clear bike right here mid-race, after having simply exited the pits.
And dust-ready tires!
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, Dugast Rhino 33mm](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_unlabelled-Dugast-Rhino-33mm-tubulars-on-Shimano-C50-wheels.jpg)
And naturally, dependable mud traction. Like fellow Dutch World Champ Fem van Empel, Mathieu van der Poel was additionally racing on Dugast Rhino tubulars.
What’s completely different, his tires don’t have any labeling on them. Presumably, that’s to appease official Alpecin-Deceuninck tire provider Vittoria, although they really personal Dugast. Anyway, with no logos, we will’t ensure if his tires characteristic Monsoon rubber or neoprene sidewall therapy. However they’re the max 33mm width allowable for cross racing by the UCI.
![6x UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, Tabor, CZ 2024, photo by Maty Podroužek, stair run-up](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6x-Cyclocross-World-Champion-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-in-Tabor-2024_photo-by-Maty-Podrouzek_climbing-muddy-stairs.jpg)
Van der Poel’s mechanics glue his tires as much as deep Shimano Dura-Ace C50 carbon tubular wheels, the identical he usually races on the street.
Muddy sufficient to get a contemporary bike each half a lap
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, Dura-Ace levers](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_Shimano-Dura-Ace-Di2-R9270-levers.jpg)
And sure, there was loads of mud throughout the race, when mechanics needed to be fast getting the bike cleaned and able to head out once more. However throughout coaching, that they had a little bit bit extra time to spare. So we caught up with bike #1 getting a shower, for a better look.
The most recent Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset sees the R9270 levers mounted to the 3-piece adjustable-width Canyon Aerocockpit handlebar + stem + built-in carbon quill combo. It’s a tidy, aero setup. And no shows to distract Mathieu whereas racing – or warming up apparently.
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, muddy Dura-Ace Di2 2x with XTR pedals](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_Shimano-Dura-Ace-Di2-2x-and-XTR-pedal-under-mud.jpg)
His Inflite CFR will get a basic professional cyclocross 46/39T Dura-Ace double chainring crankset setup there underneath a full lap’s mud. An a trusty set of XTR SPD pedals. (Belief us, they’re underneath there.) No energy meter although. When you find yourself swapping bikes each half a lap – or roughly each 1.5km – amassing information throughout a number of bikes would merely be a multitude.
So van der Poel sticks with a easy Whoop wristband health tracker, as a substitute.
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, Morgan Blue chain roller cleaning](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_muddy-drivetrain-cleaned-with-Morgan-Blue-roller.jpg)
![MvdP Pro Bike Check: Canyon Inflite CFR (CF SLX) cyclocross bike of 2024 World Champ Mathieu van der Poel, Selle Italia Flite custom saddle](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Canyon-Inflite-CFR-CF-SLX-cyclocross_MvdP-Pro-Bike-Check_2024-World-Champ-Mathieu-van-der-Poel_MVDP-edition-Selle-Italia-Flite-Boost-Kit-Carbonio-Superflow-saddle.jpg)
The whole lot will get clogged up with mud & grass in a correct cross race. So when time permits earlier than the racing, MvdP’s mechanics use a Morgan Blue pulley that slides onto the 12mm thru-axle to essentially get in and clear each nook-and-cranny with the wheels off. There’s additionally a ton of mud caught up in that saddle. And with its ergonomic cutout – additionally van de Poel’s bottom.
He rides possibly the saddle with the longest identify within the trade, the Selle Italia Flite Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow MVDP edition. And no, this isn’t a customized saddle. We noticed a number of different racers sitting on Mathieu van der Poel’s initials to race.
Muddy kicks, and professional cleansing ideas, too.
![MvdP's Shimano S-Phyre XC9 muddy shoes](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6x-Cyclocross-World-Champion-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-in-Tabor-2024_fresh-Shimano-S-Phyre-XC9-shoes-for-each-lap.jpg)
![MvdP's Shimano S-Phyre XC9 shoes cleaned & dried](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6x-Cyclocross-World-Champion-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-in-Tabor-2024_air-dried-shoes.jpg)
Mathieu van der Poel has future the highest footwear in Shimano’s line-up. And infrequently will be noticed sporting improvement prototypes that don’t all the time make it to manufacturing. His footwear this yr are Shimano’s newest S-Phyre XC903 iteration of their prime mountain bike shoe. Now with a redesigned laser-perforated higher, the newest Ultread rubber sole, and tweaked lacing guides. And naturally, for muddy racing van der Poel is working a set of the optionally available toe spikes.
His professional group secret right here, apart from having plenty of contemporary footwear to vary into whereas coaching? Staff mechanics strain wash his muddy footwear after a course recon pre-ride. Then, they use an air compressor to blow all of the water out of them instantly after. With their artificial development, they arrive out surprisingly dry when the mechanic is completed with them.
2024 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel
![6x UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, Tabor, CZ 2024, photo by Maty Podroužek, muddy corner](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6x-Cyclocross-World-Champion-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-in-Tabor-2024_photo-by-Maty-Podrouzek_cornering.jpg)
And with that setup, MvdP stomped his strategy to one other emphatic World Championship win aboard his Canyon Inflite CFR.
![6x UCI Cyclo-Cross World Champion Mathieu van der Poel, Tabor, CZ 2024, photo by Maty Podroužek, post race](https://bikerumor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/6x-Cyclocross-World-Champion-Mathieu-van-der-Poel-in-Tabor-2024_photo-by-Maty-Podrouzek_post-race-mud.jpg)
And now with racing for the Dutch Nationwide Staff performed, he can return to a contemporary rainbow-striped Alpecin-Deceuninck skinsuit. And most definitely, it’s time for Canyon to determine a brand new rainbow-themed paint job for his Inflite CFR race bikes. It’s the fifth World Championship win on this Inflite platform. So, Canyon’s graphic designers are going to have to come back on with some artistic new concepts.
Any design theme ideas?
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