2013 Oltre XR in matte black (offered in US in Dura Ace Di2), courtesy of Road Bike Action
"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.
PID graphics (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
UMS40 and 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 UTTS
technologies, 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."
Sunday, January 15th marked the start of the 2012 Pro Tour with the Prologue for the Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia.
It also marked the debut of Vacansoleil-DCM astride their 2012 Bianchi Oltres. Here is a short, 6-minute YouTube video recapping the prologue (double-click to launch in full screen format). The team's Romain Feillu finished an impressive 13th.
From Pez Cycling; "The bike race was good. Tour organizers said it was the fastest race to
date... I also saw the aftermath
of Vacansoleil-DCM’s Kenny van Hummel’s crash.He had some bad road
rash, but it didn’t look like anything too serious." Read more at Pez Cycling...
