You may not recognize the name Zachary Bernier-Michaud, but the smallest Ironman ever (!) to run under 8 hours — and an eye-catching custom Ku TF1 — should be on your radar in 2026.
(Photo: Travis Mundell/Triathlete)
Updated March 27, 2026 at 11:24 p.m
if Last year’s Men’s Ironman World Championship If there is any indication, it is crucial to pay attention to new arrivals. And no one comes faster (literally) from Canada Zachary Bernier Michaud. Although the 22-year-old has achieved almost no notable long-term results before 2025, he has been on a tear in the past year, eventually culminating in a sub-8 hour finish at Ironman Arizona in November.
You’d be forgiven if you missed the fact that Bernier Michaud became the youngest Ironman ever in under 8 hours with his 10th-place finish in Arizona, but it’s only a matter of time before the Canadian is training to swim to get into the main group and take advantage of his powerful bike and run.
For his first race in 2026, Bernier Michaud will ride a stunning custom-sized Ku TF1 built for all costs. Take a look at the gorgeous Next Generation Commander 70.3 Oceanside below:
Zachary Bernier Michaud 2026 70.3 Oceanside Co TF1
Inspired by Formula 1 racing, the Ku TF1 is certainly one of the most eye-catching designs in the transition zone – especially at a time when other brands are curiously abandoning funky aerodynamic designs for UCI-legal frames (see: Ventum’s Tempus).
Like many other pros, Bernier Michaud chose to use a 1x drivetrain and a 165mm Sram Red crank (with built-in power metering) to convert the 54T chainring.
Bernier Michaud complements his drivetrain with a Sram Red AXS 12-speed rear derailleur, a CeramicSpeed Aero OS derailleur, and a 10-33t cassette.
Bernier Michaud is rarely seen in the US, and he will be using a disc wheel from the CES show in the UK on race day, with a CES .3 three-spoke wheel up front. It will use 25mm Continental GP5000 TT TR tires on the rear and 26mm Continental Aero 111 tires on the front.
Here we get our first close look at the Ku TF1’s unique tall head tube section. Using a set of spacers, a long carbon head tube (with an internal pivot steering box), and a large 3D-printed cockpit, Ku’s design seeks to reduce “dirty air” between riders’ arms.
Bernier-Michaud’s cockpit setup includes a Ku base bar with Fast TT aero extensions, and an internal Ku mount between the hydration mount for the arms. From this view, we also get a glimpse of its unique base bar grip and a look at the unique pivot steering box that helps create the Ku’s special front aero profile.
Here we see another custom touch to Bernier Michaud’s ride, but also the small “window” in the TF1’s head tube section.
Bernier Michaud added a 3D printed cabin to aid aerodynamics and provide more feed storage options.
Here we take a look at Bernier-Michaud’s EZ Gains behind the saddle hydration buffer – something that has become almost ubiquitous in the pro ranks. On race day, he will also use the ISM PN3.0 saddle.
