FDJ-SUEZ SL8 Project
What does one of the world's top bikes do in the life of a knowledgeable enthusiast?
Not madness, but a dream that took on international dimensions.
The Tarmac SL8 had been in my heart long before I even thought about getting a new bike. But I knew for sure that one day, this would be the bike that would accompany me on my rides. It took two years of planning and dreaming, weighing different options, and, to be honest, wondering... am I "good enough" to ride a bike like this?
Then August 2025 arrived, and the decision was finally made. The frame is an S-Works Tarmac SL8 Team FDJ–SUEZ, the same model that Demi Vollering rides. Thanks to the VO2 team's contacts, I managed to find the only frame in Europe that was the right size, which I decided to go for myself.
I didn't really have any internal struggle when it came to choosing a groupset. My gravel bike, a Specialized Crux, already has SRAM, and I'm "used to" that logic – it works intuitively and quickly for me. And if there's one red detail in the cycling world that a woman can wear with pride, it's SRAM RED.
Top-of-the-range bike for enthusiasts – madness or simply an informed choice?
But still – why such a top-of-the-line bike when I'm just an "amateur athlete"? For me, cutting-edge technology isn't just for professional cyclists. It's also for amateurs who want to make informed choices and experience the limits of technology. This season, I have a modest 5,500 kilometers of cycling under my belt, thanks in large part to my collaboration with the Moomoo cycling club in Tallinn and Harju County and my work with Tiina Rekand to promote women's cycling. Our goal is to offer women a safe learning environment, conscious group riding, and a sense of belonging to a community where no one is too much of a beginner.
Specialized Tarmac, VO2Cyclab, and Kokomo – the birth of an ideal trio?
Not a "classic" bike delivery, but... how is the frame unpacked? How does each cable and part find its place? How does a box full of parts gradually turn into something that will carry me for miles to come? The bike was assembled at the Kokomo roastery, because coffee and cycling – for me, the two go hand in hand. The entire process was recorded frame by frame to become my personal memory. It is precisely this kind of service that sets VO2Cyclab apart from other bike shops. It's not just a case of "here are your keys, have a nice ride," but rather a tailor-made service from start to finish. The best selection of parts, top-notch workmanship, and the feeling that not only the bike, but also the entire process is truly my own.
What next?
To be completely honest, I will ride my first kilometers on this bike at a spring training camp in Spain in 2026. But even now, the bike is exactly as I imagined it:
