Bianchi L'Eroica and Specialissima

Bianchi has a new bike that is ready to go for L'Eroica, the L'Eroica model:

If full celeste in carbon is more to your liking there is the Specialissima:

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Best Private Bicycle Collection?

More than 600 track and road bikes, more photos and the story here. It's fun looking through all the photos and trying to identify all the brands, how the bikes are built up, etc. It's amazing. 

A roomful of Colnagos

A rare, complete, Bianchi C4

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Team Belkin Bianchi XR.2

Team Belkin has begun its training on their new 2014 Bianchi Oltre XR.2 bikes which are the next evolution of the Oltre (click on images to enlarge).  Later in the month the team will also receive Infinito CV bikes with the Countervail Vibration Cancelling Technology.

The team will make their season debut at the Tour Down Under, 19 to 26 January.

How countervail tchnology works:

Bianchi Infinito CV, no more vibrations: look the difference! from Bianchi on Vimeo.

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Bianchi Exhibition in Novi Ligure

Should you find yourself in or near Novi Ligure between January 2, 2014 and March 23, 2014 be sure to visit the Museo di Campionissimi where a Bianchi exhibition is being held; inauguration January 2nd at 4:00pm.

Among the curators of the exhibit are Paolo Amadori and Paolo Tullini, the authors of the recently released book "Le bici di Coppi" (The Bicycles of Coppi).

As a reminder, my latest list of cycling museums in Italy is here.Note that the Museo del Ciclismo is now closed until April.

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The Bicycles of Coppi, Part II

Part I (description of the new book, "Le bici di Coppi" by Paolo Amadori and Paolo Tullini).

My thanks to Troy for the following photographs he took of the book to give us a sense of the contents.

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Olympia and Bianchi Win EXPOBICI Innovation Award

Olympia and Bianchi have won the 2013 EXPOBICI innovation award in the road bike category.

The new "Leader" model for 2014 from Olympia features a from the ground-up aero design with disc brakes (photos courtesy of info@olympiacicli.co.uk):

Olympia website: www.olympiacicli.it

Bianchi won the award for its Infinito CV (Countervail) with anti-vibration technology:

Bianchi Infinito CV, no more vibrations: look the difference! from Bianchi on Vimeo.

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Belkin Pro Cycling Team to Ride Bianchi

The Belkin Pro Cycling Team riders will race on Bianchi bikes next season. The Dutch WorldTour team attracted the Italian cycling brand as its new technical sponsor and official partner for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, with an option to extend.

"Bianchi is one of the best known bike brands in the world and part of the legacy of cycling, building its future on the knowledge of its incredible history," Belkin Pro Cycling Team general manager, Richard Plugge said. "The match with Belkin is perfect; technical innovation is important for both Belkin and Bianchi. We are very happy to further build our team together with these two great partners."

Bianchi will supply the team starting from 2014 with its race proven Oltre XR.2 and the new exclusive Infinito CV with patented Countervail Vibration Cancelling technology. For races against the clock, Bianchi will provide the team with a new super aerodynamic time trial carbon frame that will be unveiled at the start of the season.

By partnering with the Belkin Pro Cycling Team, Bianchi maintains its place at the highest level of cycling. "We are excited to partner with the Belkin Pro Cycling Team and to work closely with its successful world-class riders to improve our product technology," Bianchi CEO Bob Ippolito explained.

Bianchi's dedicated product development in all disciplines will complement Belkin's well-balanced roster. "GC contenders, sprinters, time trialists and classics riders will all profit from our special types of bikes. For example, Bianchi will supply the classics team with our new Infinito CV endurance bicycle, the ideal machine to conquer cobbles and long distances thanks to our innovative Countervail technology,” Ippolito continued.

"The team's project, led by Richard Plugge, brings to cycling a new and global brand but at the same time, calls on experience and heritage. We are confident that the association between the Bianchi and Belkin brands will lead to a successful global partnership."

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2014 Bianchi Oltre XR2 Disc

Bianchi follows Colnago and Pinarello with a road disc model, for  2014 the XR2 Disc model is equipped with SRAM Red 22 with hydraulic brakes. 

Related stories:
March, 2012:Colnago C59 Disc, Disc Brakes the Next Wave?
May, 2013:Pinarello Dogma with Disc Brakes, Arriving When?

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  

Bianchi Unveils Retro Racing and Leisure Clothing

Bianchi, who is beginning a three year sponsorship agreement with L'Eroica this year, has developed a new line of retro racing and leisure clothing using the themes of a bygone era of cycling.

The jersey has pockets with button closures on both the front and back, a collar with button closure, Bianchi on both sides and sleeves. The shorts, have white embroidered logo in relief, a pocket in the back with button closure and buttons for suspenders. In Bianchi celeste...of course. The material is "Wool Yam Heritage".

For leisure there is a polo shirt and sweatshirt. These will be available in differenct colors in addition to celeste.

The new clothing line will be available for purchase in the near future.

The L'Eroica 2013 is scheduled for Oct. 6; registration is full for this year.

Related L'Eroica stories and videos previously published here:
2010 L'Eroica video
2010 Le Coq video series
2009 L'Eroica video by Brooks of England
L'Eroica adventure in three parts: Part I, Part II, and Part III
Riding L'Eroica on a 3 speed Pashley (includes a link to a video)
Riding L'Eroica on a fixed gear
2009 L'Eroica photos by Blufreccia

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. 

Bianchi Vibration Cancelling Technology

Bianchi Infinito CV, no more vibrations: look the difference! from Bianchi on Vimeo.

It would be fun to try a new Infinito CV wouldn't it? More about the technoloy in this previous blog entry.

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  There are now more than 2,800 stories in this blog. The search feature to the upper right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button of the page. 

Bianchi Introduces New Infinito CV with Vibration Cancelling Technology

Availability will be late 2013. No pricing as of yet.

From announcement:

The Bianchi Countervail® integrated system immediately cancels vibration while increasing frame rigidity. The Countervail® vibration cancelling composite technology is now exclusively introduced for cycling by Bianchi.

Revolutionizing the world of endurance cycling, and three days before Paris-Roubaix, one of the most legendary and toughest races in the world - Bianchi introduces the new Infinito CV.

Proven in the extreme conditions of NASA aerospace operations, Countervail® is now exclusively introduced for cycling by Bianchi.

 

The new Infinito CV with Countervail® vibration cancelling composite technology is Bianchi’s innovative solution to reduce muscle fatigue and increase bike control.

Bianchi collaborated with the USA’s Materials Sciences Corporation to develop the exclusive application of the Countervail® integrated system for the cycling world. With its special carbon fiber architecture, patented Countervail® viscoelastic material is embedded within the Infinito CV proprietary carbon lay-up to immediately cancel road vibration. "We are really excited to introduce a revolutionary vibration cancelling technology for cycling with our new Infinito CV model", Bianchi CEO Bob Ippolito said. "Thanks to our close collaboration with MSC's engineers we developed a new exclusive patented material technology that will deliver better performance with less fatigue and more control".
 
Bianchi and MSC's intense laboratory testing and the rigorous experiences of our professional test riders confirm, the Bianchi Countervail® integrated systemimmediately cancels vibration while increasing frame rigidity. Decreased vibration reduces muscle fatigue which improves handling, rider control, and maximizes energy savings under the spectrum of vibration loads. "MSC and Bianchi have entered into a license and trademark use agreement enabling Bianchi to utilize the Countervail® patented technology and registered trademark within the bicycle industry. MSC has collaborated with Bianchi to incorporate Countervail® technology in Bianchi bicycles, starting with the new Infinito CV model announced today”, Thomas Cassin, President/CEO of MSC commented.

Scientific studies* conclude that eliminating vibration benefits the rider with reduced muscle fatigue and maximizes energy savings.

The new aero shaped Infinito CV with Countervail® vibration cancelling technology is cobblestone proven by our UCI WorldTour professional riders, and will be officially used in competition by Vacansoleil-DCM’s Juan Antonio Flecha at Paris-Roubaix, on Sunday. Flecha attended today’s Infinito CV official presentation in Lille.


The Infinito CV carbon fiber frame keeps the optimal C2C (Coast to Coast) road endurance geometry that distinguished the previous Infinito, giving every rider the maximum level of performance and peak power output under normal to extreme vibration loads with more control during endurance rides.

2014 Infinito CV also available with the innovative Bianchi disc brake system.

* As noted by the Journal of Sciences and Medicine report.

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  There are now more than 2,800 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.     

The Bicycles of Fausto Coppi and Bianchi Reparto Corse Records

This Saturday evening the Museo dei Campionissimi in Nove Ligure (AL) is hosting a presentation focused on the bicycles of Fausto Coppi and those made by the Reparto Corse (racing department) of  Bianchi.

Two items of particular interests will be discussed:
- the discovery of the records, documents, and unpublished photographs kept by Pinella De Grandi, the most famous mechanic of  Fausto Coppi. The documents include the register of bikes made by the Reparto Corse department during the Coppi years and the final word of which were the Coppi bicycles.
-  Paolo Amadori and Paolo Tullini, who discovered De Grandi's papers, will dicuss how they arrived at the idea of writing a book just on bicycles used by Fausto Coppi, and during the evening the two collectors will give a preview of this ambitious project.

Also presenting will be cycling historian Carlo Delfino who will discuss the history Bianchi's Reparto Corse department. Several bikes belonging to Coppi will be on display and Delfino will discuss the Coppi-Bianchi relationship.

1948: Coppi's Bianchi on display during the Giro d'Italia

Among the speakers will also be Alberto Masi who father, Faliero, built frames for Coppi.  (Note as per a friend: It should also be pointed out that Faliero Masi never built any Bianchi-branded frames for Coppi.  Faliero did build frames carrying the Coppi brand after Coppi left the Bianchi team. He even built a jig for Coppi's frames; the jig was later lent/rented to Bianchi when Coppi returned to ride for Bianchi.)

Note: Many Coppi related stories in the blog; use custom search in the upper right to find them.

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  There are now more than 2,800 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.     

Bianchi to Unveil New Version of Infinito Model Tomorrow

Bianchi plans to unveil a new version of the popular "Infinito" model tomorrow.

www.road.cc snapped this photo of Juan Antonio Flecha during the Tour of Flanders on what appears will be the next Infinito:

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  There are now more than 2,800 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.    

ProTour Teams: Italian Frames, Components and Wheels

The use of Italian frames, components, and wheelsets among the 18 2013 ProTour teams are as follows:

Astana Pro Team: Campagnolo components
BMC Racing Team
Cannondale Pro Cycling
Lampre – Merida: Fulcrum wheels
Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team
ORICA GreenEDGE
Sky Procycling:  Pinarello frames
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team: Bianchi frames, Campagnolo components (w/FSA crankset)
Movistar Team: Pinarello frames, Campagnolo components, Campagnolo wheels
AG2R La Mondiale: Campagnolo components, Fulcrum wheels
Euskaltel Euskadi
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
Garmin Sharp
Team Argos–Shimano
Team Saxo – Tinkoff
FDJ
Lotto Belisol: Campagnolo components, Campagnolo wheels
RadioShackNissan

Notes:
1) Lampre switched from using Wilier frames to Merida.
2) Colnago is missing as Europcar was not named as a ProTour team.
3) All the teams using Campagnolo are using the EPS (electronic) version.
4) Five teams are using Campagnolo components while ten teams are using Shimano and three are using SRAM.
5) All the Shimano equipped teams are using Di2; SRAM is the only mechnical group.
6) other wheelsets being used are Shimano, Zipp, Mavic, Corima, Vision, FFWD and Bontrager.

Leave a comment with corrections....

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, racing, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com.  There are now more than 2,700 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Bianchi Café & Cycles Opens in Tokyo

The second of Bianchi's "Bianchi Café & Cycles" has opened in Tokyo. The first Bianchi Café &Cycles opened in Stockholm, Sweden, in May, 2011.

Located in the Jiyugaoka shopping area the two-story store has a complete line of Bianchi bicycles on display on the first floor, and along the staircase leading to the second floor. The coffee area is located on the second floor, where visitors can enjoy a real espresso and taste typical Italian dishes such as pasta, panini, and dolci in a large room with 38 seats.

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For Gimondi & Bianchi Fans: Bianchi Oltre XR "Gimondi 70" , Part II

We previously had photos and information here from the evening in which the Bianchi Oltre XR "Gimondi 70" was unveiled. Today we received the official information about the limited edition of 70 units as follows:

"Bianchi has developed a Special Edition Oltre XR model in celebration of Felice Gimondi's 70th Birthday. Only 70 units of this unique and exclusive Gimondi 70 bicycle will be produced; click on photo to enlarge.

The 70 numbered units will be built and customized at Bianchi headquarter in Treviglio (Italy).

Attributes:
- Celeste Bianchi color which matches up the blue of the Bianchi jersey worn by Felice Gimondi in the 60's and the blue of the Sapphire, the amulet stone distinguishing the people born in September.
-Multicolour stripes along the tubes to remind us of Gimondi's leader jerseys of Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana, World and Italian Championships.
-the names of Gimondi's main victories on the down-tube, inside the Bianchi eagle graphic
-Gimondi 70 logo on the headtube
-Vintage Bianchi logo used in the late 60's/early 70's

With Campagnolo Super Record groupset EPS electronic, the bike is characterized by four customized components with the "Gimondi 70 logo":

Campagnolo Bora high-profile carbon wheelset (with Veloflex tubolars)
Selle San Marco Concor carbon FX saddle
La Spirale white grip
Elite Corsa bottle

There will also be prepared a list of customized items (accessories) to include in the sales of the Gimondi 70 limited edition bike.

Pricing and further information will be forthcoming."

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Bianchi Becomes L'Eroica Sponsor Beginning 2013

Bianchi signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with L'Eroica, the Italian foundation promoting the non-competitive L'Eroica ride on Tuscany's "strade bianche". Bianchi will link their name to the L'Eroica name beginning with the 2013 edition. The sponsorship agreement was presented in Gaiole in Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) on Saturday, October 6th. L'Eroica took place yesterday, October 7th.

Bianchi considers L'Eroica the perfect meeting point between cycling history and the new generation of bike fans from all over the world, the main target for Italian company's market strategies.

In the last few months Salvatore Grimaldi, Founder and CEO of the Grimaldi Industri AB (“Grimaldi Group”) and Chairman of Bianchi, met the event's founder Giancarlo Brocci in Gaiole in Chianti and understood the potential of the Bianchi and Eroica's marriage.  "Bianchi is the best possible partner for this event. Being here we aim to strengthen our brand and to show the importance of our successful history in the eyes of a global audience. Year by year, Eroica is even more famous and highly thought of all the cycling fans: this is why we decided to take this opportunity", said Salvatore Grimaldi.

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For Gimondi & Bianchi Fans: Bianchi Oltre XR "Gimondi 70"

Bianchi has produced a special Oltre XR in a limited edition of 70 bicycles to celebrate Gimondi's 70th birthday. The special bike, made unique by Bianchi in many details, was unveiled at the gala in honor of Gimondi in Bergamo, on Friday, September 28th.

The Oltre XR "Gimondi 70", with Campagnolo's Super Record EPS electronic gruppo , has four customized components with the "Gimondi 70" :

- Campagnolo Bora high-profile carbon wheelset (with Veloflex tubolars)
- Selle San Marco Concor carbon FX saddle
- La Spirale white grip
- Elite Corsa bottle

The graphics on the "Gimondi 70" feature personalized graphics: the mix of “celeste” Bianchi and light blue color, the latter referring to the Bianchi jersey worn by Gimondi and the sapphire, the amulet stone distinguishing the people born in September; the names of Gimondi’s main wins,  multicolor inserts along the tubes to remind all of the prestigious Felice’s wins: Tour, Giro, Vuelta, World and Italian Championships; a Bianchi logo like the one on Gimondi’s bike 40 years ago.

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Bianchi "Oltre XR" Launched in Pau

Bianchi launched the HoC (Hors Category) new Oltre XR frame at the Palais Beaumont in Pau today on the Tour de France's second rest day in the presence of 1965 Tour de France winner Felice Gimondi, testimonial and legend of Bianchi brand.

"Oltre XR is a monocoque carbon frame designed for extreme performance. Its increased rigidity and Bianchi’s unique racing geometry are combined to provide fast acceleration, maximum power transmission and enhanced handling. Pure Italian Design and performance merge in a technique-oriented design. Oltre XR’s increased lightness results in optimal climbing performance, and aerodynamics were focused in order to assure the highest speeds in both flat and downhill sections.

Bianchi Oltre XR’s most exclusive new feature is the combination of UMS40and CN60 Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers, allowing a 30-gr weight reduction while also increasing the frame rigidity by 20% compared to the original Bianchi Oltre model, that was also optimized to achieve the most efficient power transmission and the best rigidity-to-weight ratio. Featuring X-TEX, Carbon Nano Tech, Carbon Nano Tube Tech, WMP and UTTStechnologies, Oltre is the top model of the Bianchi Road range, and is widely regarded as one of the best racing bikes ever made by Bianchi."

Click on images to enlarge (visit www.bianchi.com for more information):

with Campagnolo Super Record EPS

with Campagnolo Super Record

with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2

Bianch Oltre XR features:
- Tapered headtube 1 1/8” - 1.5”, for improved rigidity on the front part, providing enhanced handling and power transmission
- BB30 improves stiffness and rigidity
- Aero shape and design
- Dedicated seatpost system with integrated look
- Internal cable routing
- UTSS Ultra Thin Seat Stay
- Carbon Monocoque technology
- UMS40+CN60 Ultra High Modulus carbon fibers
- Nano Tubes evolution of Nano technology applied to the carbon
- X-TeX Technology
- WMP Optimized molding process to reduce weight
- Unidirectional carbon woven
- 7 sizes: 47-50-53-55-57-59-61
- Weight: 895gr (size 55, +/- 5%)

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Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, touring, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are always welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 2,500 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.