It looks like a new Specialized Diverge will be abound at Unbound Gravel this weekend, after four-time Marathon and one-time XC world champion Annika Langvad shared some footage of herself recceing the Unbound course on a previously unseen Specialized-branded gravel bike. 

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Specialized Diverge leak May 2025 - mounts.png, by Annika Langvad

At first glance, there's not a whole lot of difference between this bike and the current Diverge, the standard version last revamped in 2020 (though we did see the launch of the STR version with a radical rear suspension system in 2022) - but a clearer giveaway is the three mounts on the fork, as opposed to two on the current version. This should increase the carrying capacity, while the fork itself looks sharper and more angular - we suspect this is a nod to aero, although it looks wider too, which should allow for even wider tyres than the 47mm limit on the soon-to-be-outgoing Diverge. 

Specialized Diverge leak May 2025 - UDH.png, by Annika Langvad

Another key giveaway is the universal derailleur hanger (UDH) on the back of Langvad's bike. The current Diverge isn't compatible with this - limiting riders to SRAM's 12-speed groupsets - but a UDH will mean the new bike will be able to run SRAM's 13-speed Red XPLR groupset. 

Obviously there is no suspension at the rear on Langvad's bike, so we're unsure what this means for Specialized's Diverge STR platform. Our man Stu Kerton rated it highly in his review of the STR Expert, saying the marriage of the front and rear Future Shock system gave a "super comfortable ride" - clearly Langvad doesn't feel she needs that extra comfort, so it remains to be seen if the Diverge STR will get an update too. 

Specialized Diverge leak May 2025 - cockpit 2.png, by Annika Langvad

Moving back to the front, this grainy screenshot (it's the best we could do, soz!) shows a semi-integrated cockpit with Langvad's computer sitting pretty much flush with the stem. That'll be another aero move, although the presence of some exposed cable indicates that Specialized weren't prepared to sacrifice the Future Shock front suspension in the name of those sweet marginal gains. It wouldn't be possible for the suspension cable to run internally, so Future Shock and the bonus bouncy comfort it offers to the front end will almost certainly remain on the new Diverge. 

Specialized Diverge leak May 2025 - rear.png, by Annika Langvad

Previously known as the Dirty Kanza, Unbound Gravel has become one of the biggest - if not the biggest - gravel events in the world, and therefore a place where plenty of exciting new gravel tech has debuted in recent years. Specialized-sponsored elite riders including Langvad herself are often seen using the Crux race-orientated gravel bike, but the savage 200-mile distance of the premier Unbound race is as good a place as any to showcase the brand's more versatile, endurance-friendly model. 

The Unbound Gravel event is already underway, the main races starting bright and early on Saturday with the elite men and women going off first at 5.50am and 6.05am respectively (the UK is six hours ahead, so the action starts just before noon on Saturday this side of the pond). Hopefully, we'll get some more info on this mysterious new bike, or at least some clearer images of Langvad and other Spesh-sponsored athletes ragging it over the dusty Kansan gravel.