Calm blue ocean | Cyclingnews

Pro bikes, February 26, 2006

Xavier Tondo Volpini's Relax-Gam Gios Carbon V-107

Despite being only 27 years of age, 'Tondo', as his friends call him, is in fact the fourth eldest member of the 15-man Relax-Gam outfit. Last year, the lanky rider from Olot, a hillside town not too far away from Barcelona, enjoyed his best season to date after stage wins in the Vuelta Asturias and Volta ao Alentejo as well as overall victory in the latter. And with such a young team, team managers Augusto de Castañeda and Jesus Suarez Cueva will be counting on him for some big results in '06.

Head mechanic Carlos Ortiz told Cyclingnews that despite the unseasonally bad weather in Spain, Tondo's been training quite hard this off-season - even riding in the snow, a far cry from the near 40 degree Celsius temps coupled with the high humidity of the tropics. Asked what his objectives were the day before the race began, Ortiz let out a modest chuckle before saying: "Same as every rider - to win!"

2006 marks Gios' second year of sponsorship for this team who were previously known as Relax-Bodysol in 2004 and rode Ridley bikes as consequence of their Belgian co-sponsor. However, Bodysol and any Belgian influence has now gone, while mattress manufacturer Relax continues to stay on board as the team's primary sponsor. Apart from Russian neo-pro Denis Kudashev and young Czech Lubos Pelanek, the rest of the team is Spanish.

As its name implies, Tondo's Gios Carbon V-107 employs Dedacciai's V-107 aluminium tubing produced specifically for the Italian frame manufacturer and for this frame only. Mated with wishbone carbon seat stays and featuring a gradually tapered head tube, the frame's not earth-staggeringly light at a claimed 1,280 grams/ 2.8 pounds for a size 54, which would almost certainly go over the 1.3 kilo mark for Tondo's bike that measured 55.5 centimetres centre to centre.

Xavier Tondi Volpini looking tranquillo behind his Gios Carbon V-107.
Tondo's even got Gios blue eyes to match!
Many riders like Tondo sit their hoods up high for a very stable and comfortable riding position.
Deda's Magic 46 centimetre bars.
The Gios branded stem is also made by Deda.
Tondo's need for speed is monitored by his Polar cycle computer.
Campy's Record carbon cranks are now available in a range sizes, including 175mm length cranks used by Xavier Tondi Volpini.
For the Record - Campagnolo's shapely rear derailleur.
Hubba hubba - a close-up of the hub of the Campagnolo Eurus wheel.
Campagnolo's dual-pivot Record brakes provide plenty of stopping power.
The well-padded Selle Italia Flite Gel saddle is a popular choice among pros.
Tondo's the name, cycling's my game.
Chillin' by the pool at the end of a hard day.
The tropical heat of Malaysia was even getting to the bike by the end of the week.