Even a quick glance at Joris Nieuwenhuis’ Instagram or Twitter feed illustrates just how successful and prolific this 21-year-old Dutchman is on the world cyclocross circuit.
Best birthday gift! pic.twitter.com/Y9C8VdmoT8
— Joris Nieuwenhuis (@jorisnieuwenhui) February 11, 2017
He’s been on a gold rush this season, clinching almost all of the Telenet UCI World Cup titles: Zeven, Namur, Heusden-Zolder, and Hoogerheide. He narrowly missed the top step of the podium in Valkenberg in a sprint finish, and was on-track to win at Fiuggi before catapulting himself. Oh, and he rallied to nab the Dutch National and World U23 titles, too.
With the death-rattle of the Rabobank Development Team this past December, Nieuwenhuis and his legacy of U23 domination were not without a team for long. He signed with Sunweb for 2017, another Giant team, and utilized his Giant TCX Sunweb Team edition bike to completely crush the competition at the 2017 Cyclocross World Championships in Bieles. Let’s give this World Champ’s race bike a once-over:
It may have a lot of stock parts, but this Giant TCX is nothing but ordinary when commanded by Joris Nieuwenhuis. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
Joris pushed a huge 38/48 around Bieles, whereas the Elite winners Wout Van Aert and Sanne Cant opted for a 36/46. Katie Compton took 2017 US National Championships by storm on a 34/44.
A winning ring combination: Joris cranked to victory using a 38/48 double, and an 11-28 cassette. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
For a mud-plastered race, of which Nieuwenhuis has had plenty this season, the Giant TCX has ample clearance, and would, according to Giant, accommodate a monster 50mm tire up front and a 44mm in the rear.
Tons of clearance up front – for mud or for a big gravel tire or monster cross setup. Joris Nieuwenhuis’ Giant TCX cyclocross bike. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
Nieuwenhuis opted for 32mm A. Dugast Rhino tubulars mounted on his wheelset. Joris has previously been seen running Dura-Ace wheels, but adjusted to these Giant logo’d wheels with the change to Sunweb.
A. Dugast Rhinos were a popular choice at Bieles, and served Joris well in the deep mud and slick off-cambers. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
Giant has been selling aftermarket wheels since 2011 but don’t appear to offer a carbon tubular currently, so we’re not quite sure what exact wheel this is, and whether it is even a Giant product.
Perhaps since the bike, along with his team contract, were relatively new for him, the Giant TCX held onto many stock components: saddle, seatpost, bars, stem, and bar tape.
Joris’ cockpit has that “straight from the factory” look about it. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
One thing that did not look new was his name badge sticker, posted toward the rear end of the drive-side top tube. It showed signs of wear, implying it had seen a lot of time against Nieuwenhuis’ leg, or had been transferred from another bike.
One way to spot a pro: sticker name badge. Nieuwenhuis’ has seen better days, showing signs of wear. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
It’s not a huge stretch to expect to see Nieuwenhuis on the top step of the U23 podium again later this year. We’re excited to check in with Nieuwenhuis and see what kinds of changes he’s made to his Sunweb Team edition Giant TCX Advanced Pro.
See the full photo gallery below the specs, and stay tuned for more pro bike profiles from Cyclocross Worlds!
Joris Nieuwenhuis’ 2017 Cyclocross U23 World Championship-Winning Giant TCX Pro Specs:
Frame: Giant TCX Advanced Pro Carbon (Sunweb Team edition), 12mm thru axles front and rear, post mount disc brake mount front, 22mm rear, internal routing
Fork: Advanced-Grade Composite, Full-Composite OverDrive 2 Steerer
Wheels: Giant carbon tubular, Centerlock Disc
Tires: A-Dugast Rhino tubulars 32mm
Shifters: Shimano R785 hydraulic Di2, 11-speed
Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 9070
Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2
Crank: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000 172.5mm
Chainrings: Shimano Dura-Ace 38/48 11-speed
Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 11-28
Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 11 speed
Saddle: Giant Contact SL Ti rails
Seatpost: Giant Contact SL
Handlebar: Giant Contact SL
Grip tape: Giant, stock
Pedals: Shimano XTR
Stem: Giant Contact SL
Headset: FSA Integrated, cartridge bearing, sealed, Overdrive 2 1-1/4″ top, 1.5″ bottom
Brakes: Shimano hydraulic disc BR-RS785, Shimano XTR 140mm rotors centerlock
More info: www.giant-bicycles.com
Joris Nieuwenhuis’ 2017 Cyclocross U23 World Championship-Winning Giant TCX Photo Gallery:
Joris Nieuwenhuis’ Giant TCX cyclocross bike features “Race Only” carbon tubular wheels, which curiously, feature a maximum psi, which usually is constrained by the tubular tire, not rim. 2017 Cyclocross World Championships bikes. © Cyclocross Magazine
