Alison Powers (UnitedHealthcare) isn't just a US national champion; she's a triple national champion, holding concurrent road, criterium, and time trial titles. She's the first American rider (man or woman) to have done so too.
Naturally, then, team sponsor Wilier Triestina has supplied the affable Coloradan with a custom painted Cento1SR to race on the road – and soon there will be a time trial rig to match.
Paintjobs like this can be bought but they're far better when earned
Out of Wilier's trio of top road models, Powers' new Cento1SR seems a fitting choice for her all-around capabilities. The huge frame tubes are well bolstered for stiffness, there's a bit of aero shaping, and our own tests have proven it to be surprisingly comfortable. Chassis weight may not be the bike's strongest suit but perhaps save for the most mountainous races, it clearly hasn't held Powers back much.
Powers' bike is dressed with a capable, workhorse build that includes a Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 mechanical group and pedals, an all-aluminium Ritchey cockpit, and a crank-based power meter from new player Pioneer. Many of the accessories get in on the custom party too: there's red, white and blue handlebar finishing tape; a blue anodised chain catcher and computer mount from K-Edge; and a blue electronics box cover from Pioneer.
There are some serious watts being measured by the Pioneer power meter
We caught up with Powers' bike while she was briefly home in between races, so the bike was set up for training with Shimano RS-81 aluminium/carbon wheels and thick Maxxis clinchers. As a result, the bike is somewhat heavy – 8.08kg (17.81lb) as shown here – but would be slightly lighter in its proper race trim – plus, keep in mind that Powers rides an XL frame size.
The Shimano RS-81 wheels and Maxxis Re-Fuse tyres are used just for training
While that extra material adds a few more grams, it also provides plenty of surface area for the fetching patriotic paint. And while colorschemes like this can certainly be bought, they're far better when earned properly.
Wilier had a banner year in that sense, too, at least on the American front. In addition to Powers' wins, SmartStop rider Eric Marcotte also took home the men's road championship on a Wilier – and he's got a custom painted Zero.9.
"I love the paintjob," Powers told BikeRadar. "I feel really special to get to ride that bike. I'm so happy and honoured that Wilier sent me this and the new TT bike. Eric's better not be cooler than mine!"
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: Wilier Triestina Cento1SR, size XL
- Fork: Wilier Triestina Cento1SR
- Headset: Ritchey Pro Drop-In, 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in tapered
- Stem: Ritchey WCS 4-Axis, 110mm x -7degrees
- Handlebar: Ritchey WCS Logic II, 42cm (c-c)
- Tape: fi'zi:k
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-9000
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace FD-9000
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace RD-9000
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace STI Dual Control ST-9000
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000, 11-25T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000 w/ Pioneer SGY-PM 900 power meter, 175mm, 53/39T
- Bottom bracket: Wilier Triestina BB386EVO
- Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-90000
- Wheelset: Shimano WH-RS81-C24-CL
- Front tyre: Maxxis Re-Fuse, 700x25c
- Rear tyre: Maxxis Re-Fuse, 700x25c
- Saddle: fi'zi:k Vitesse w/ braided carbon rails
- Seatpost: Ritchey Superlogic seatmast topper for Wilier
- Bottle cages: Tacx Tao (2)
- Other accessories: Pioneer SGX-CA500 computer, K-Edge computer mount, K-Edge chain catcher, K-Edge number plate holder
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.78m (5ft 10in)
- Rider's weight: 68kg (150lb)
- Saddle height from BB, c-t: 761mm
- Saddle setback: 75mm
- Seat tube length (c-t): 525mm
- Seat tube length (c-c): 515mm
- Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 565mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop: 85mm
- Head tube length: 173mm
- Top tube length (effective): 570mm
- Weight: 8.08kg (17.81lb)