Tour Down Under tech: A closer look at the pro peloton's best looking bike
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Astana have changed bike sponsors for 2020 from Argon 18 to Wilier. How good is that paint job?(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
There are only a couple of teams using the oversized Ceramic Speed pulley wheels. Will it pay off for the Spaniard?(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Sanchez's new Wilier is dressed in Shimano Dura-Ace complete with the crank based power meter(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
You mightn't have heard of Wolfpack tyres, but the man behind the brand, Wolfgang Arenz, was one of the people behind Continental's Blackchilli compound, Schwalbe's Addix rubber and Gripton for Specialized(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Among the Astana colours Wilier have hidden a few Italian easter eggs(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
With the slender tubing at the seat cluster, a bit of extra space is needed for the not so hidden seat clamp(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Sanchez is riding one of Prologo's new saddles, the Scratch M5(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Astana's Wiliers have by far the best paint job in the WorldTour this season(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Even the one piece bar and stem are painted to match(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Including the detaling(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
A K-Edge Splayed Racemount looks after Sanchez's Garmin(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
No cables to be found here(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Astana has continued its partnership with Corima(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Sanchez is running a 160mm Dura-Ace rotor at the front, complete with the black heat-shedding paint(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
The Spaniard opts for the adjustable Look Keo 2 Max pedals over the carbon leafspring driven Keo Blade(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
While they are a bit heavier than the Keo Blade, with a steel spring at the back the pedals settle ride side up(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Sanchez's bars have a compact drop and are finished in Prologo Doubletouch tape(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
The WS Black wheels are a relatively new addition to Corima's range, allowing riders to use disc brakes and thru-axles. The 47mm wheels here have 20 spokes front and rear(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Wilier has licensed Mavic's Speed Release axle system for speedy wheel changes(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
Sanchez has always been a glutton for pain, and he's still pushing a 54t big ring(Image credit: Colin Levitch)
It was recently announced that, for 2020, Astana Pro Team would be switching away from Argon 18 bikes in favour of Wilier. With it came the news that they would be riding the Zero SLR, one of the best lightweight bikes, which was launched in June 2019.
The Wilier Zero SLR is an out-and-out high-performance race bike, designed to be lightweight while still, featuring a modicum of aerodynamic sympathy.
The entirety of the Astana team was riding aboard the Zero SLR at the recent Tour Down Under, and we got up close and personal with Luis Leon Sanchez's race-day whip.
Despite the change in bike brand, Corima remained on board and has continued to supply the team with its range of carbon wheels. For most race days, Sanchez is running the 47 WS Black wheels, which are disc-brake ready, and are home to tubular tyres from Wolfpack.
The Wolfpack brand has nothing to do with Deceuninck-QuickStep's self-proclaimed nickname. Rather, it's a brand set up by Wolfgang Arenz - one of the people behind Continental's Blackchilli compound, Schwalbe's Addix rubber, and Specialized's Gripton.
Like 13 other WorldTour teams, Astana's shifting comes from Shimano's Dura-Ace Di2 groupset, although in a bid to save 2.4 watts, the rear derailleur is modified to include CeramicSpeed's OSPW.
The touchpoints include a Prologo Scratch M5 saddle, Shimano Dura-Ace R9100 pedals, and Prologo Doubletouch bar tape.
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Click through the gallery above for a closer look at Luis Leon Sanchez's Wilier Zero SLR.
Luis Leon Sanchez's Wilier Zero SLR full bike specifications
Frameset: Wilier Zero SLR, Size Large
Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace R9170 Hydraulic Disc caliper
Josh is Associate Editor of Cyclingnews – leading our content on the best bikes, kit and the latest breaking tech stories from the pro peloton. He has been with us since the summer of 2019 and throughout that time he's covered everything from buyer's guides and deals to the latest tech news and reviews.
On the bike, Josh has been riding and racing for over 15 years. He started out racing cross country in his teens back when 26-inch wheels and triple chainsets were still mainstream, but he found favour in road racing in his early 20s, racing at a local and national level for Somerset-based Team Tor 2000. These days he rides indoors for convenience and fitness, and outdoors for fun on road, gravel, 'cross and cross-country bikes, the latter usually with his two dogs in tow.
