Italian Lidl-Trek rider Jonathan Milan has kicked off the 2026 season with remarkable back-to-back stage wins at the AlUla Tour, showcasing his dominance in sprint finishes.Beyond MilanS performance,observers have noted adjustments to his equipment,specifically his Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8,and the potential for updated components from Bontrager. This has led to speculation about a new iteration of the Aeolus RSL wheelset, with team mechanics reportedly testing a pre-production model during the race.
Jonathan Milan of Lidl-Trek has opened the 2026 season with back-to-back stage wins at the AlUla Tour, sprinting to victory in both opening stages of the race. The Italian rider has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the early season.
The 25-year-old from Buja, Italy, left his rivals behind in both stages, showcasing his impressive speed and power. A key element of Milan’s success appears to be his equipment, specifically his Trek Madone SLR 9 AXS Gen 8, with attention paid to both wheels and handlebars.
Technical details reveal adjustments to the handlebars focused on optimizing aerodynamics. The team is also evaluating potential upgrades to the Bontrager Aeolus RSL wheelset.
Is a New Bontrager Aeolus RSL Range on the Horizon?
The high-end Bontrager Aeolus RSL wheels, first introduced in April 2021, may be due for an update. Find more details on the original wheelset here.
From training camps in Spain and Australia to the current racing in Saudi Arabia, Milan and his teammates have been spotted using wheels lacking graphics. This suggests the team is testing a “zero lot” – a pre-production run used to validate a design before mass production.
Milan at the AlUla Tour: No Integrated Handlebars
In Saudi Arabia, Milan secured his victories while using a semi-integrated setup with exposed cables, a configuration that feels somewhat outdated.
- – Traditional carbon fiber stem with a four-bolt front plate (model RSL Blendr);
- – carbon fiber handlebars RSL Aero and external cabling.
These high-end components seem to defy the current trend towards aerodynamic efficiency that drives development in cycling technology.
The Two Reasons Behind This Technical Choice
To get to the bottom of this, we spoke with Giuseppe Campanella, chief mechanic for the Lidl-Trek team.
1 – Adaptation and Customization
The “two-piece” solution, while facilitating maintenance and repair, isn’t directly related to the team’s trip to Saudi Arabia or, more generally, races in the Middle East, which present significant logistical challenges.
Last year, we reported on the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team transporting over 700 kg of equipment between the AlUla Tour and the Tour of Oman. Read more about their logistical efforts here.
The traditional stem and handlebar setup allows riders to adjust stem length and handlebar angle to suit their personal preferences.
2 – Custom RSL Handlebar Coming (For Milan Only)
Milan has a proven relationship with his Madone, but has made adjustments to his position on the bike to optimize aerodynamics during sprints.
Compared to last year, the Italian rider is now using:
- – a smaller frame size, moving from XL to L (Milan is 6’4”);
- – a wider handlebar (moving from the standard 130/370-400 mm Aero RSL to a setup of 130/410-440 mm).
There have been no changes to the crankset.
The smaller frame encourages a lower position and a more closed frontal area. The wider handlebar provides stability and control, particularly during maximum effort.
The differences in setup are visible in the images below, though taken from different perspectives.
The Trek catalog does not offer the 130/410-440 mm handlebar combination. Milan has therefore opted for the two-piece solution to test the new setup in racing, pending the integrated handlebar that the Waterloo brand has put into production exclusively for him.
A new handlebar, a new position, and hopefully the same dominant sprints seen in Saudi Arabia.
