According to leaked documents online, Specialized's new Tarmac, known as the SL8, will be "the fastest race bike in the world," lighter, faster, and boasting improved stiffness to weight compared to the current SL7 model.

But we don't need leaked documents to know that. Specialized's tarmac has added an SL to every update for over a decade, with the SL7 replacing the SL6 in 2020, and the SL5 replacing the SL6 before that. Furthermore, lighter, faster, and stiffer are probably the industry's favorite buzzwords of the last half-century, along with "vertically compliant" and "integrated."

As reported in a Road CC article, which has since been removed, a leaked document was recently published on the Weight Weenies forum. The document was a PDF, hosted on Specialized's web domain, and included what was apparently a sales sheet that revealed images and details of various build options. It included weights, geometry, and the latest marketing claims by Specialized, but the document was subsequently blocked, presumably to prevent Specialized from leaking it.

"We do not comment on the accuracy or authenticity of information not officially released by Specialized," Kelly Henningsen, the brand's global PR and media relations leader, told Cycling News in a statement.

Indeed, because the source of these leaks is unverified, the documents appear legitimate and are widely considered authentic, but we cannot rule out that this is not a complex and thoroughly hoaxed and very well put together fake list.

The rest of Henningsen's statement was brief, well thought out, and said very little."

"While we are pleased to see such excitement and energy among riders regarding the potential of new Specialized products, all product information is communicated through official channels.

If this document is indeed genuine, it would suggest that the launch of this bike is not far off, especially following the recently leaked new race bike in Sudar Quickstep colors.

Naturally, Specialized is unwilling to confirm the accuracy of the leaked document and is therefore unwilling to divulge further information about the release date of the next Tarmac, or any future product.