The curious case of Jasper Philipsen's Canyon Endurace

Cor Vos, Alex Hunt

Paris-Roubaix saw a number of tech developments across both the men's and women's pelotons, from hybrid groupsets to gravel tyres. But only one bike was officially launched in the week leading up to the race – Canyon’s latest Endurace CFR. And to be honest, although Jasper Philipsen was riding the bike at Roubaix, his choices left me scratching my head. And no, this isn't a reference to his prototype Shimano pedals.

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While three-time Roubaix winner Mathieu van der Poel had been spotted on the bike earlier in the spring, at races like E3 Saxo Classic and Dwars door Vlaanderen, he reverted to his familiar Aeroad for both Flanders and Roubaix. However, the rest of his Alpecin-Premier Tech team, including two-time runner-up Philipsen, raced on the new bike at the Hell of the North.

Philipsen and teammates during a course recon earlier in the week.

Given the Endurace's aero-inspired makeover and increased tyre clearance, it appears – on paper, certainly – to be an ideal bike for the race; however, at least in the configuration Philipsen was using, it actually didn't make all that much sense over the Aeroad.

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