Alessandro Ballan at EXPOBICI for Wilier Triestina

Road World Champion Alessandro Ballan will be present at EXPOBICI in Padova on Saturday, September 19, to unveil the new Wilier Triestina 2010 models. These include the Superleggera, Imperiale, and Gioiello Ramato.

EXPOBICI will take place from 19 to 21 September at the Padova Fiere.

Photo: Wilier Imperiale

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Wilier Cento1 "Superleggera" at Tour de France

Team Lampre NGC is using a new model of the Wilier Cento1, the "Superleggera", at the Tour de France.

The characteristics of the Superleggera (Superlight) were described by Wilier's Andrea Gastaldello: "Identical to the Cento1 in form and technical characteristics, we have utilized the potential of carbon materials to reduce the weight of the Cento1 Superlight while ensuring the ride quality, efficiency and durability of a bike capable of taking both gold and silver medals at the World Championships.The Cento1 Superlight was 2009 Giro d'Italia by Team Lampre. It is constructed primarily of 46 Ton carbon fiber, while benefiting from the strategic implementation of its even stiffer cousin, Mitsubishi 60 Ton. Its unique and innovative carbon layup also makes it more impact-resistant than other ultra-lightweight materials, and we’ve even come up with a lighter, more svelte aluminum sleeve in the bottom bracket which is molded into the monocoque construction during the final carbon curing process. Research led us beyond materials all the way to paint. The final protective layer on a Cento1 Superlight is a specially formulated paint that provides the same elegant beauty that typifies Wilier Triestina bikes while reducing weight.The result is all the performance you expect from a Cento1 - minus 120 grams!"

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Wilier Triestina Cento1 Di2, $9,480

Wilier Triestina has now chimed in with their Shimano Di2 specific frame. Competitive Cyclist has the price as $9,480. Has anyone seen Di2 in person? Those battleship colors for the battery and front der. look really ugly. Here is the announcement from Wilier Triestina from April 27th:

Wilier Triestina USA has announced the special order availability of its reigning World Road Champion model, the Cento1, in a version modified specifically for use with Shimano’s acclaimed electronic drivetrain, Dura-Ace Di2. The Cento1 Di2 frameset boasts the same superlight 46Ton carbon monocoque construction and performance features, while enhancements have been implemented in the form of internal routing for wiring that connects the Di2 battery with its electronic shifters and derailleurs.

"While performance was the key pursuit in the development and use of the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 electrically actuated shifting system, the side benefit is the freedom and creativity afforded frame makers with respect to cable routing,” explained Devin Walton, Director of Media Relations for Shimano North America. “Wilier’s new frame design takes advantage of that benefit and with the special accommodations for the battery pack creates historically sought-after integration of frame and controls without any impact on shifting response.

Angelo Cilli, Wilier Triestina USA co-owner and founder, added: “We’re excited about the promising new age being ushered in by Shimano’s electronic groupsets for road and time trial bikes. In the past, attempts were made by other manufacturers to offer electronic shifting, but after extensive in-house testing we have become believers that this technology by Shimano has been refined to the point of being truly feasible and relevant. Campagnolo is promising release of its own electronic drivetrain in the near future, so it seems that the technology may finally be here to stay,” concluded Cilli.

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