McLaren F1 experts give Noble the edge

IRISH triathlete Gavin Noble’s Olympic qualification quest has been turbo-charged after an unique partnership between bike manufacturers, Specialized, and Formula One team McLaren delivered him the world’s fastest bike.

The 30-year-old Enniskillen man, who is on course for the Olympic qualifying standard, is one of only a handful of triathletes globally who got to ride the Specialized S-Works Venge — dubbed the world’s fastest road bike and valued at €7,000 — before it goes on the market in Ireland and the UK next month.

The bike, which was also used by Tour de France Green Jersey winner Mark Cavendish, was manufactured by Specialized after they teamed up with engineers at the McLaren F1 centre to enhance aerodynamics and weight distribution.