One-time team Sky rider Russell Downing will be back racing on the UK domestic circuit in 2014, riding for a team that's intent on cycling domination: NFTO.
Since the squad was formed at the back end of 2011, NFTO – Not For The Ordinary – has grown from a local trade squad offering youngsters a chance to ride competitively to capturing high calibre riders such as Russell Downing, who rode for NetApp-Endura in 2013, his brother Dean from Madison-Genesis, and Adam Blythe, picked from BMC Racing.
It's an indication surely, that the team means business.
Last week, most of the squad gathered at The Shed bike shop near Hereford – which also doubles as the service course – for the dreaded pre-season ramp fitness tests. BikeRadar went along to watch the torture, and between sessions, we saw 35-year-old Downing's brand new Swift Ultravox TI being built up.
It's an impressive, WorldTour-level ensemble with a custom paint job. The 11-speed Shimano Dura-Ace handles the braking and transmission so there'll be no problems on that front.
The riders are allowed to pick their choice of finishing kit, hence the mix 'n' match approach to stem, bar and saddle on Downing's Swift.
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There's some relative exotica in there too, such at the cultish deep-section ENVE tubulars rolling on pro-issue Continental tyres and a Stages Power Meter left crank.
But it’s the artwork that sets the bike apart. There a great big nod to Downing's status at National Criterium Champ and it constantly references the new squad.
BikeRadar is indebted to Larry Hickmott at VeloUK for the great photos – they really are worth a look.
Complete bike specification:
Frame: Swift Ultravox Team Issue – 490mm XS Fork: Swift Ultravox Team Issue Stem: ENVE 130mm -6 degrees Handlebars: Deda Newton Anatomic 400mm c-t-c Tape/grips: Pro Microfibre White Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 ST-9070 Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070 Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070 Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 ST-9070 Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 11-25 Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 170mm 53/39 Bottom bracket: Praxis Works PF30/BB30 Converter Pedals: Speedplay Zero Stainless Wheelset: ENVE SES 6.7 Front tyre: Continental pro issue tubular Rear tyre: Continental pro issue tubular Saddle: Prologo Zero II Seat post: ENVE 27.2mm with 25mm Layback Bottle cages: Arundel Sport (2) Computer: Garmin 510 Other accessories: Stages Cycling power meter, Shimano Dura-Ace Sprint Shifters
Critical measurements:
Rider's height: 169cm (5ft 6in) Rider's weight: 67.4kg (148lb) Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 673mm Saddle setback: 37mm Seat tube length, c-t: 49mm Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 607mm Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 49mm Head tube length:107mm Top tube length: 521mm Total bicycle weight: 7.25kg (15.9lb)
Sam started as a trainee reporter on daily newspapers in the UK before moving to South Africa where he contributed to national cycling magazine Ride for three years. After moving back to the UK he joined Procycling as a staff writer in November 2010.
