Diego Ulissi lined up at the Tour Down Under alongside former world champion Rui Costa as joint team leaders of UAE Team Emirates.
Built from the original Lampre-Merida set-up at the end of the 2016 season, UAE Team Emirates have one of the strongest Italian contingents in the peloton despite being registered in the United Arab Emirates.
The Italian connections continue with the team equipped with bikes from the legendary frame builders Colnago — and have the choice of the C60, Concept or V2-R road models.
A closer look at the Campagnolo Super Record EPS front derailleur - Colin Levitch/Immediate Media
UAE Team Emirates pair their frames with Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupsets, Campagnolo Bora Ultra wheels, Vittoria tubular tyres, cockpits from Dedacciai, bottle cages from Elite and saddles from Prologo.
Look pedals, a Power2Max power meter and a Garmin computer mount — from France, Germany and the United States respectively — were the only components on the bike not from Italy.
Ulissi opts for the V2-R frameset from the Colnago line-up, which sports direct mount rim brakes and a semi-aero design. Launched last June, the bike also features a threaded bottom bracket and a proprietary D-profile seatpost.
