Cyclingnews tech is already on the hunt for bikes and interesting kit in Spain, and we were handed Matej Mohorič’s custom, brand-new Bianchi Specialissima at the Bahrain Victorious team hotel on Wednesday.
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The team and brand were keen to show the bike off, and that’s understandable, as the recently updated Specialissimawas launched a few weeks back. We also asked about news on a new Oltre RC, but the brand remained tight-lipped on that front.
The bike has received some aerodynamic updates and new components to make it a faster all-rounder, and move it away from pure lightweight climbing bike territory, which, given the speeds pro riders are moving at, wouldn’t be of much use.
This model also had a special custom paint job, a dazzling greeny/blue that shimmered next to the team’s hotel swimming pool in the afternoon sun.
The bike is said to save around 16 watts over the old model; there’s a more aero frame, handlebar and fork, but a size 55 is still said to weigh around 750 grams, and this bike was under the 7kg mark. It did feel light.
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The bike had a few interesting details: a saddle slammed forward, a Chinese Elilee power meter crankset with Dura-Ace chainrings and Continental time trial tyres for maximum speed.
Stay tuned this week for more Tour de France tech stories and bike checks from the race.
Not a bad place for a bike check, Bahrain, Movistar and Visma were sharing the same hotel before stage 1. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The Specialissima is the Bianchi lightweight all-rounder; the front end is very different-looking from the brand’s Oltre RC aero bike. The bike uses ‘Countervail’ vibration-damping tech in its carbon layup. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The Specialissima recently got an overhaul, becoming more of an all rounder, it’s also said to be a good chunk faster than the old one. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
There’s also a new faster handlebar, it was nice to see some pristine white bar tape on this bike, something you don’t see as much of on pro bikes nowadays. It shone in the afternoon sun. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
Shimano di2 sprint shifter buttons for Mohorič. If you’ve ever been sprinting flat out and trying to change gear, these are a massive help. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
There’s a serious amount of history and heritage connected to this head tube badge. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The new bar has a claimed 25% aerodynamic improvement over the outgoing one. You can see elements of the Oltre RC bar in there. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The head and top tubes are both more angular, and deeper in places. Aero refinements seem to have been made. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The special paint on this bike glistened in the afternoon sun; it was hard to do it justice. This was a special colour that may be similar to the brand’s ‘Chameleon green’ custom colour. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The Acros bearing top cover integrates well with the bikes top tube for a clean fit. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
You can spot the sculpted seat tube here, the team told me this bike was fitted with new 47mm Vision Metron RS wheels. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The team has run this combination for some time. We assume they purchase their groupsets and don’t have to exclusively use Shimano componentry. This could be a money thing, a weight thing, or a power meter thing. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
An Elilee Chinese carbon power meter crankset paired to Dura-Ace 40-54 tooth chainrings. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
170mm cranks for Mohorič. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
This is a Specialissima RC model. Reparto Corse stands for racing department and is the classification top tier bikes receive. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
The bike was also fitted with Continental Grand Prix 5000 TT time trial tyres. Many teams are now racing on time trial rubber. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
We were told Mohorič may race this bike only on certain stages. (Image credit: Tom Wieckowski)
