TL;DR
Van Rysel has officially introduced the RCR-R Pro, a climbing-focused race bike ridden by Paul Seixas. The company claims its 705-gram frame is the lightest it has developed, while aerodynamic performance matches the previous model; independent testing and full availability details were not provided in the source report.
Van Rysel has officially unveiled the RCR-R Pro, a climbing-focused race bike previously seen beneath Decathlon CMA CGM rider Paul Seixas. The brand claims the new frame weighs 705 grams, making it the lightest frame it has developed, while retaining aerodynamic performance on a par with the previous model.
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Van Rysel describes the RCR-R Pro as an all-round race bike intended to deliver speed on both steep climbs and flatter roads. Its claimed frame-kit weight is 240 grams lower than that of the outgoing model. The complete bike, built with SRAM Red AXS, is claimed to weigh 6.6 kilograms. Those figures are manufacturer claims; the source report does not provide independent weighing results.
The company attributes the reduction to slimmer tube profiles and changes to the frame’s junctions, carbon lay-up and material use. The frame uses a combination of super-high-modulus and high-modulus carbon fibre. Van Rysel has also revised the seatpost, seat clamp, computer mount and axles; it says the axles alone save five grams. The brand says the updated seatpost is more flexible, while the frame is designed with a stiffer front end and more rear flex.
Van Rysel is not claiming that the frame itself is more aerodynamic than its predecessor. The company has developed a separate aero bottle and cage, which it says can save up to 6.3 watts at 45 kph compared with the previous setup under its stated test conditions. Its simulations projected time savings on two race routes, but those are modeled results rather than evidence of a race outcome.
A Lighter Option for WorldTour Climbs
The new frame puts Van Rysel among brands pursuing lighter aero all-rounders: bikes intended to work across varied race terrain rather than serving only as dedicated climbing machines. The source report notes that the Ridley Falcn RS 2.0 has the same claimed 705-gram frame weight, though a matching figure does not establish that the bikes perform alike or were weighed under identical conditions.
For Decathlon CMA CGM, the launch brings a new frame into its race equipment range alongside the RCR-F aero bike. Seixas’s use of a prototype gives the model a high-profile racing connection, but his results do not by themselves establish how the production bike performs. Riders considering it will also need to weigh the advertised weight against fit, handling, price and the practical trade-offs of its geometry.
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From Race Prototype to Launch
The RCR-R Pro was first spotted under Seixas at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, formerly the Critérium du Dauphiné, and later at the Tour de France. A Cycling Weekly tech editor examined an unreleased prototype during the Tour. It was blacked out, but its slimmer tube shapes and “Road-Aero-Light” decal suggested a lighter all-round design.
The previous RCR-R Pro helped Van Rysel’s WorldTour programme record 50 professional victories since the brand entered the top-level peloton at the start of 2024, according to the report. Among the cited results were Ben O’Connor’s 13 days in the red jersey at the 2024 Vuelta a España, Nicolas Prodhomme’s 2025 Giro d’Italia stage win, and Seixas’s overall victory and two stage wins at Itzulia Basque Country. Seixas also rode the prototype to victory at Il Lombardia, the report says, becoming the race’s youngest winner.
Van Rysel says development included 13 CFD prototypes, five wind-tunnel prototypes and seven frame lay-ups, alongside rider feedback at training camps in Sierra Nevada. The report also highlights substantial geometry changes: the size M frame has a stated stack-to-reach ratio of 1.36, down from 1.40 on its predecessor, and a 78.6-degree seat-tube angle, compared with 73.5 degrees on the prior model. The size range grows from six sizes to seven, XXS through XXL.
“Developed to deliver speed across the varied demands of modern racing, from steep mountain climbs to fast, flatter roads.”
— Van Rysel
Price, Availability and Real-World Gains
The source material does not give the RCR-R Pro’s price, exact availability date or market-by-market launch details. It also does not report independent confirmation of the claimed frame or complete-bike weights. Van Rysel’s aerodynamic bottle figures and route-time savings come from company testing and simulations; the report does not establish that those gains would be repeated in races, where teams may prefer standard round bottles for practical reasons.
The new geometry is notably different, but the supplied material does not include rider-by-rider assessments of the production model or explain how the changes affect handling across all sizes. The press information gives little attention to geometry, according to Cycling Weekly’s report. Buyers should not assume the dimensions suit them based on weight claims alone.
Production Details and Race Use
Van Rysel is also offering a more affordable RCR-R with the same frame design but a different carbon lay-up. The company claims an 883-gram frame weight for that version in size M; both models are listed with a 360-gram fork. The source material does not provide pricing or a confirmed on-sale date for either model.
Further details to watch include regional availability, final retail specifications and whether Decathlon CMA CGM riders use the production RCR-R Pro in upcoming races. Independent weighing and testing would help establish how the bike’s claimed weight, handling and bottle-system performance compare with the company’s figures.
Key Questions
What is the Van Rysel RCR-R Pro?
It is Van Rysel’s new climbing-focused all-round race bike, officially unveiled after prototypes were raced by Decathlon CMA CGM rider Paul Seixas.
How much does the RCR-R Pro frame weigh?
Van Rysel claims a frame weight of 705 grams and calls it the lightest frame it has developed. The source report does not provide an independent measurement.
Is the new frame more aerodynamic?
Van Rysel does not claim aerodynamic gains from the frame itself; it says performance is on a par with the previous model. The separate aero bottle and cage are claimed to save up to 6.3 watts at 45 kph under the company’s stated conditions.
What is the difference between the RCR-R Pro and RCR-R?
The less expensive RCR-R uses the same frame design with a different, high-modulus carbon lay-up. Van Rysel claims its size M frame weighs 883 grams, compared with 705 grams for the Pro frame.
When will the new bike go on sale, and how much will it cost?
The source material does not state a price or confirmed availability date. Van Rysel’s retail details remain to be announced or confirmed.
Source: cyclingweekly.com
