True. Spillage from chain lubing. Its a junior affectation that they lube chains before every race.
There are several things and power was the least of these (@teanrider thought it important).
The skewer was a standard steel shaft skewer tightened as in the video and every other video I saw like Shimano and SRAM tighten them.
They have hardened steel plates on dropouts that angle forward a bit.
I am addressing with Specialized and so far very happy with their immediate response. I was looking for similar experience by posting here.