Pinarello KOBH 60.1

Information from Range re: the new Pinarello KOBH 60.1 which should be arriving in shops in July, 2010:

"Cycling fans were abuzz this week, as Pinarello officially unveiled the KOBH 60.1 frameset. It was seen during some of the more hardcore races, including the upcoming Paris-Roubaix, which punishes unprepared riders thanks to the cobble stone paths. KOBH is pronounced “cob”, which is short for cobblestones.

Apparently, the KOBH 60.1 has been developed in parallel to the Dogma. The 60.1 moniker means that it shares the same type of carbon fiber from Torayca.

The difference resides in the fact that the KOBH 60.1 was developed for some of the classic races of Northern Europe. The new geometry, which Pinarello have dubbed "CenturyRide", will provide more shock absorption. The KOBH has the same lateral stiffness as the Dogma. It’s got relaxed seat and head tube angles, as well as a longer head tube. The fork rake is longer too. The frame also has better wheel clearance, which means that it can accept 28mm tires.

The bike is designed to offer more comfort and be less harsh for longer races. Team Sky will be using the KOBH this year at the Paris-Roubaix. It will be sold starting in July and will be available with Shimano Dura Ace Di2-internal routing or traditional cable routing.

Visually, the bike differs from the Dogma most significantly by its seatstays. The Dogma has got a double s-bend Onda seatstays, whereas the KOBH has got flatter and radial curved stays. This is similar to the ones that are used by Cervélo in the R3, RS, as well as Ridley with their Excalibur. Pinarello calls them AFS, or asymmetrical frame system, meaning that they are asymmetric in order to maximize the KOBH’s resistance to flex under rider power.

According to Pinarello, the KOBH is 23% more impact-resistant than any other frame they make. Claimed weight of the frame is 1,100g. The frameset comes with a fork (360g), headset (80g), and seatpost (195g) for a total of 1,735g."

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Gilberto Simoni Returns to Lampre to Finish Career

Wearing the blue-fucsia jersey of Lampre-Daikin Gilberto Simoni won the 2001 Giro d'Italia. Today it was announced that the 38 year old rider from Palù di Giovo (Trento) will finish his career Lampre-Farnese Vini.

The climber and Lampre-Farnese Vini general manager Saronni signed the agreement that allows Simoni to take part in the last races of his career wearing the blue-fucsia colors. Giuseppe Saronni commented, "We've been talking for a long time about this project that would allow Gilberto to end his career in our team, surrounded by friendly people. The Galbusera family, owner of Lampre, always supported this idea and so the project was realized: Simoni will race for team Lampre-Farnese Vini starting in Giro del Trentino".

Simoni also won the 2003 Giro d'Italia with team SAECO.

The 2010 Giro d'Italia will be Simoni's last professional race.

Photo: Simoni back in the Lampre colors

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Ferrari and Colnago Release CFXX Limited Edition Bike

Colnago announcement: "Extending a collaboration that has existed for many years, Colnago have teamed up with legendary Italian car manufacturer Ferrari to produce the limited edition CFXX Fulcrum. The CFXX is everything you would expect from these two iconic Italian brands, matching stylish looks with state-of-the-art innovation.

This carbon fiber beauty draws on Formula 1 expertise and 3PRS technology to boost frame’s rigidity while keeping the weight down to just 6kg. Shimano’s Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupset and Fulcrum’s Racing Speed XLR wheels add to the extra-special look and feel of the CFXX.

To make the CFXX that bit more special, Colnago and Ferrari are limiting the series to just 50 models. These are available only through the store on the Ferrari website at a cost of €12,500 ($16,700).

For that equally impressive price, each purchaser will get a bike that has undergone the ultimate personalization process, ensuring they have the perfect ride on what is sure to be the most eye-catching bike of the year.

For more details on the CFXX visit Ferrari’s website."

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Paso GranFUNdo, Part III

WHOA. I need to recollect my thoughts and reconsider how I should write about this California adventure. I am overwhelmed from the entire experience.

Great people, great rides, wine tastings, late afternoon presentations, incredible dinners, and grappa nightcaps. It was, in its own unique Californian way, an opposite-side-of-the-planet "Ben Vivere" (the Good Life) which was chronicled by Buzz Yancich in 2009:
Ben Vivere, Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV

The 2010 Paso GranFUNdo is finished. I am already looking forward to next year's.

Over the next few days I'll organize photos and stories.

Photo: Cross Canyon Road scene near San Miguel (Droid cell phone photo)

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.

Paso GranFUNdo, Part II

April 10, 2010: Beautiful 60 mile ride with 2800 feet of climbing today to Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio, followed by Hare Canyon Road and then 10 miles into a very strong headwind for 10 miles along Indian Valley Road before reaching the city limits of Paso Robles. The day never really warmed up, remaining in the high 40s/low 50s, and and with the wind and some light rain in spots it wasn't "California Dreaming" for me. Especially since I packed T-shirts...what was I thinking?

Each morning begins with a rider assembly at 8:50 a.m. and we depart at 9:00 a.m. Today we also had the the rider introductions, which came from all parts of the USA, one Canadian, and Eros Poli from Verona.

Being a training camp the ride rolled along at a steady pace. There isn't time to stop for the best possible photos, unless you don't mind riding by yourself. The hills are still lusciously green and lush, it won't be long before they turn golden.

Back in time for quick shower and and a change of clothes and then off to a wine tasting.

Photos: coming in a few days

Paso GranFUNdo, Part I

April 9, 2010: Italy meets California in Paso Robles, California, where the Paso GranFUNdo is taking place. The GranFUNdo is a one week training camp organized by Californians that are friends with Eros Poli. The big surprise is that Eros Poli, from Verona, was invited and is here.

Tonight, over much wine and merriment, Eros entertained the assembled GranFUNdo riders during the evening explaining how many spacers should be used on a stem. "Zero".

Photos: coming later

Next: Not a Granfondo but the Paso GranFUNdo

I'm off for an adventure. Not sure how much blogging I'll do over the next days but stay tuned for some surprises!

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondos, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,300 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.