Named in honour of Wilier's 100th anniversary, which fell last year, the Cento Crono is the time trial version of the Cento set-up that Lampre-Fondital, headed by 2004 Giro champion Damiano Cunego, was aiming to use to devastating effect at this year's corsa rosa in May. Well maybe he wasn't devasting but fourth overall isn't bad.
Like the Cento, the Crono has been stiffened up considerably where it counts most, in the headtube and bottom bracket, as the result of feedback from Cunego and co. Initial reports suggest the Lampre riders are more than happy with the new set-up, although those looking for a more forgiving and comfortable ride may want to look elsewhere. >Of course, in time trialling, most riders tend to be less concerned with comfort and more on pure speed, and this is where the Cento Crono scores in spades. The monocoque frame has been built mainly with high-modulus T60 carbon fibre, which has been reinforced with intermediate-modulus T30 carbon fibre in the areas most affected by stress in order to keep the frame's weight down to just 1.4kg, while the carbon aero monocoque fork adds another 390g.
Unlike the Cento road frame, which features a square profile headtube and fork, the front end of the Crono has been streamlined for aerodynamic efficiency. The rig is completed with Xentis Mark 1 wheels, also built with high-modulus carbon fibre and rated among the fastest in the world, Campag's Record groupset, a carbon aero seatpost and ITM's Nivola +101 bar and stem.