Need a new bike? How about one that has already proved itself capable of winning a Tour de France stage, Vuelta a España, Amstel Gold or the Tour of Britain?
That is what Jumbo-Visma are offering deep-pocketed fans this Christmas thanks to a team-wide auction of the Cervélo bikes which carried their star riders to the team's biggest wins of the season. All funds raised will be reinvested back into the "further development of young cycling talent".
The listing says: "Through this special auction, cycling fans worldwide can literally become the owner of a piece of cycling history.
"Cyclists from Team Jumbo-Visma made history with their Cervélo bikes at various occasions throughout the 2021 season. You’ll be able to bid on these bikes thanks to this auction and become the owner of a piece of cycling history."
Wout van Aert's Mont Ventoux stage-winning machine is the star attraction here and has already reached €13,250 (£11,243) with eight days until bidding closes on December 27 at 7pm.
The size 56 R5 frame comes with Dura Ace C40 wheels, power meter, K-Force bars and team-issue finishing kit.
Van Aert's race-winning bike from Amstel Gold, Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Britain is also up for grabs at the slightly cheaper current highest bid of €7,000 (£5,940).
Perhaps surprisingly the second most expensive bike at the time of writing is not Van Aert's back-up, Primož Roglič's Vuelta-winning machine or the bike Jonas Vingegaard rode to second at the Tour.
That accolade currently goes to Tom Dumoulin's comeback bike at €9,625 (£8,167).
Elsewhere the aforementioned Roglič Vuelta-winning Cervélo, complete with red bar tape, has not even reached its €5,000 (£4,243) reserve price, but is estimated to finish somewhere between €10,000 - €15,000 (£8,485 - £12,727). Roglič's unlucky Tour ride has reached €6,100 (£5,176).
Also in the top-tier of estimates is Marianne Vos' Gent-Wevelgem and Amstel Gold-winning bike, although if you want to start the bidding at €4,900 (£4,158) you can, probably briefly, pretend it will be yours.
The bike which carried Vingegaard to second-place at the Tour, dropping Tadej Pogačar on Ventoux is estimated to go for somewhere between €7,500 - €12,500 (£6,364 - £10,607).
If you are looking for a 'bargain' then British rider Anna Henderson's R5 could be the best value having currently 'only' reached €3,700 (£3,140) but expected to land between €5,500 - €7,500 (£4,667 - £6,364).
The full list of pro bikes can be viewed on Dutch auction website Catawiki.
Unfortunately, you are right sir.
I agree. The officials probably earn a pittance or just get paid expenses. They do what they do for love of the sport. Without them the sport would...
Those rainbow bands look more like plaid at that speed.
Oxford from Emily Kerr "Anyone know anything about the THIRD major smash up on Iffley Rd in my ward in a year? "
What a surprise…
It may not be as bad as made out but it's not great. In fact it is frustrating because bits of it are actually quite good but it repeatedly does...
There also seems a constant requirement for public consultation about every change to three roads, but I don't remember there being any...
It's sad to see the likes of Milla under threat of disappearance, but the bike indrustry needs to sort itself out. Selling bikes that cost more...
This is correct, if we're going to invest in the criminal justice system we should do so on catching people and processing them through the system...
I think the frames are open mould so there will be others exactly like it around the world decked out as another brand. I saw a few comments on...