Belkin Pro Cycling start 2014 with new bike sponsor
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Robert Gesink's Belkin Pro Cycling team bike, the Bianchi Oltre XR2(Image credit: David Rome)
At 6ft 2in, Gesink uses a long 140mm stem in conjunction with a 59cm frame(Image credit: David Rome)
Unused cable guides show all the wires are kept internal – it’s a neat look but was probably a nightmare for the mechanics(Image credit: David Rome)
An eagle on the down tube shows this Bianchi is ready to soar!(Image credit: David Rome)
The ultra thin seatstays (UTSS) have been widened for greater frame stiffness(Image credit: David Rome)
The Bianchi head tube is a symbol of great cycling history(Image credit: David Rome)
The Dutch GC contender is an often-mentioned name(Image credit: David Rome)
The new colour-scheme brings up a great debate - do Belkin green and Bianchi celeste work together?(Image credit: David Rome)
One of the main changes from the original Oltre XR is the new integrated fork and head tube design - Bianchi claims this improves the bike's wind-cheating ability(Image credit: David Rome)
Belkin are sponsored by Pioneer, yet Gesink's bike was completely free of any power meter when we saw it(Image credit: David Rome)
The Tacx Tao cages cover hydration needs(Image credit: David Rome)
An aero seatpost holds the San Marco Concor saddle in place(Image credit: David Rome)
The Belkin logo sits on top of the flattened seatstay bridge(Image credit: David Rome)
The Bianchi Oltre XR2 was first seen in the mid-2013 under the riders of Vacansoleil-DCM, and is now the bike of choice for Belkin Pro Cycling. Belkin made the move from Giant to Bianchi for the 2014 season.
An evolution of Bianchi’s original Oltre XR, the Oltre XR2 has moved to an integrated fork design for greater aerodynamics. Bianchi has also changed the bottom bracket from a BB30 to a wider press-fit BB386 and widened the seatstays for greater responsiveness. The choice of seatstays is still Bianchi’s UTSS (Ultra thin seat stays) though, the aim being to provide greater comfort without trading forward drive.
Possibly the most discussed aspect of the Oltre XR2 is the new colour-scheme. Opinion is divided on the merger of Belkin green with the classic Bianchi celeste colour, but we admit it’s growing on us.
We managed to get a close look at Robert Gesink’s bike during the Tour Down Under, where he finished sixth overall. Winner of the 2012 Tour of California, 2011 Tour of Oman and fifth in the 2010 Tour De France, the Dutch general classification contender is always a threat when climbs and time trials are involved.
Sponsored by Pioneer pedalling systems, Gesink’s bike was missing a power meter altogether when we photographed it; yet we spotted him on another brand during the race. The team mechanics mentioned that they are currently testing a second version from Pioneer, and the team has had plenty of input into its development.
Fred Morini, responsibile for Product Marketing and Communication at Bianchi, told BikeRadar that the Belkin team brought very few 23mm tyres to Australia. Instead, most of the team – including Gesink – were rolling on Vittoria Corsa SC 25mm tubulars.
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Gesink’s bike is standard team issue with a complete Shimano Dura-Ace 9070 groupset, including an internal race battery and an FSA cockpit.
Complete bike specifications
Frame: Bianchi Oltre XR2, 59cm Fork: Oltre full carbon 1 1/8in- 1 1.1in Headset: FSA Orbit 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in internal system Stem: FSA OS-99, 140mm, -6 degree Handlebar: FSA K-Force carbon, 42cm (c-c) Tape: Celeste cork Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070 Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 11-25T Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000, 175mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: BB386 conversion Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-ace Wheelset: Shimano Dura-ace C50 tubular Front tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm Rear tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm Saddle: San Marco Concor Racing Team Seatpost: Bianchi Oltre full carbon aero + Shimano Di2 internal battery Bottle cages: Tacx Tao (2)
Critical measurements
Rider's height: 1.87m (6ft 2in) Rider's weight: 68kg (150lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 827mm Saddle setback: 92.5mm Seat tube length (c-t): 535mm Tip of saddle to center of bar: 630mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 160mm Head tube length: 180mm Top tube length (effective): 575mm Total bicycle weight: 7.17kg (15.77lb)
