Introducing the Peloton’s Latest Motorcycle: The Chinese X-Lab AD9 Takes on XDS Astana

We are busy bringing you as many professional motorcycle pictures as we will be able to from the Excursion Down Underneath, which kicks off the brand-new 2025 race season. 

A complete tech gallery is within the works, and you’ll already take a look at the brand-new Uno-X Mobility Ridley Noah Rapid 3.0 which is being ridden within the ladies’s race, however now we flip our consideration to the latest motorcycle within the WorldTour, one we’re all nonetheless getting acquainted with: the X-Lab AD9. 

In addition to being a producer, the Chinese language X-Lab model’s mum or dad corporate, XDS Carbon Tech, could also be a identify sponsor of the newly renamed XDS Astana Workforce. 

This actual motorcycle belongs to Henok Mulubrhan, the 25-year-old Eritrean and three-time African Continental Champion, and X-Lab has given it a customized paint process to honour his identify. 

It is virtually a turn of the group motorcycle’s blue and black color scheme, however the downtube has a beautiful white and gold marbling impact which makes you glance two times. 

Spec-wise, the group are just about the use of the similar apparatus they did final yr after they have been racing on Wilier motorcycles. The Shimano Dura-Ace groupsets stay, as do the Imaginative and prescient Metron 60SL wheels. Handlebars are the Imaginative and prescient Metron built-in style, which, you guessed it, could also be unchanged from final yr. 

Something that has perplexed us over the previous few weeks is a spread of press pictures appearing the X-Lab motorcycles with each Continental and Vittoria tyres. The group motorcycle is fitted with Vittoria Corsa Professional tyres right here, like final yr, however we marvel what the combination is set, possibly a switch is coming like the one who has long past on at Alpecin-Deceuninck as they transfer from Vittoria to Pirelli. 

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There is a slightly slim headtube on the entrance of the AD9 and what seems like various tyre clearance  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

A pleasing customized contact at the motorcycle’s most sensible tube for the African Continental Champion, Mulubrhan (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

There is a great carbon fibre weave at the one-piece Imaginative and prescient Metron one-piece handlebar  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

The gold accents within the customized paint are complemented through the Imaginative and prescient wheel stickers  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

The fork legs have a significant aero profile on the dropouts this is unmissable. It is not dissimilar to the fork tabs at the Pinarello Dogma fork, however on this case much more pronounced (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

The ground bracket shell appears chunky and forged, which has a tendency to lead to a stiff and environment friendly platform  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

There may be various color at the motorcycle, this seat keep association appears beautiful acquainted one way or the other  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

There may be not anything to shout about right here, it is simply just right to get a close-up take a look at a professional motorcycle we do not know an excessive amount of about presently  (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)

You understand the place you’re with Dura-Ace, even supposing this chain and cassette are having a look a little mucky if you happen to ask us. Word the open Di2 charging duvet too. (Symbol credit score: Chris Auld)