Classic Italian marque Wilier are bringing out two new road racing models for 2010, the aero Imperiale complete bike and super-light Cento Superleggera frameset.
We gave you a first look at the Imperial back in August but now we've seen it in the flesh and got some photos for you to drool/argue over.
This striking carbon machine aims to combine time trial style airflow with classic road bike handling, and is aimed at racers, sportive riders and triathletes.
It features a three-piece monocoque frame made of high modulus unidirectional carbon with integrated back end and aero seatmast.
The frame alone costs £2,500, or you can pick up a complete bike with Campagnolo Chorus 10-speed, Fulcrum R3 wheels and Ritchey Pro finishing kit for £4,250.
Cento SL
The Superleggera is a new, even lighter version of Wilier's Cento Uno chassis. It's already won gold and silver world championship medals for the Lampre pro cycling team.
Results like this don't come cheap – the frame, full-carbon fork and a Ritchey WCS Carbon headset will set you back £4,299. For your money you get a special layup with Mitsubishi high modulus unidirectional carbon fibre, with a raw carbon 'snakeskin' finish. The SL is said to be 130g lighter than a standard Cento Uno.
Other developments
Wilier's existing models continue for 2010, with tweaks and spec changes across the range. The entry-level Escape Xenon at £799 gets a new colour scheme – black/white/red – and comes with a Campagnolo drivetrain plus Miche Excite wheels and brakes.
The £999 Lavaredo Mirage gets a lighter double-butted aluminium frame, full 10-speed Campag Mirage drivetrain plus Miche Reflex wheels and Veloce brakes. It's available in red/white or silver/black.
The La Triestina rises in price from £999 to £1,150 but features a triple-butted frame with carbon seatstays, full Campag Mirage drivetrain plus Fulcrum R7 wheels.
Wilier's entry-level carbon bike, the Mortirolo, comes in three flavours for 2010 – Mirage (£1,500), Ladies (£1,549) and Veloce (£1,800, pictured below). All boast the same full-carbon frame which weighs just 1,270g for a medium.
Next in the hierarchy is the Izoard, available in Centaur (£2,499) and Athena (£2,899, pictured below) versions, or as a frameset (£1,549). The women's equivalent is the £2,195 Mimosa. They're what Wilier's UK distributors ATB Sales describe as "high-class sportive bikes".
Topping the range is the Cento Super Record, based around the Cento Uno frame. At £6,250 this comes with Fulcrum R0 wheels, Campag Super Record 11-speed groupset and Ritchey WCS finishing kit. A version with Shimano's new Dura-Ace Di2 electronic groupset will set you back a whopping £7,850. The frameset is £2,795.
Last but not least, the Cento Crono is only available as a frameset but this aero time trial machine was described as "probably the most perfect tri frame available" by our sister publication Triathlon Plus. It'll set you back £3,499 including aero fork.
Alessandro Ballan specials
At their 2010 product launch, ATB Sales also had a couple of 2008 world champion Alessandro Ballan's Cento Uno bikes on display. Click on the thumbnail gallery at the top of this page for more images.
