Pro bike: Domenico Pozzovivo’s Focus Izalco Max

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=45&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-332238 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967.jpg?quality=90&resize=556%2C723" width="556" height="723" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Domenico Pozzovivo's (Ag2r-La Mondiale) Focus Izalco Max will supposedly weigh exactly 6.8kg when the Giro d'Italia hits the high mountains" title="1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-ec57967" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Domenico Pozzovivo’s (Ag2r-La Mondiale) Focus Izalco Max will supposedly weigh exactly 6.8kg when the Giro d’Italia hits the high mountains James Huang/Future Publishing

Italian climber Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale) will be happy to have left the wet and slippery roads of Ireland behind him in favour of the more familiar tarmac of his home country. The slightly built, pure climber will look forward even more to the big mountains, especially with such a lightweight rig beneath him as this Focus Izalco Max .

Pozzovivo’s Izalco Max pushes aside any consideration of aerodynamic performance, instead concentrating on the traditional metrics of stiffness and weight. The tube shapes are nominally round throughout and just when it seemed like tube diameters were getting progressively bigger, Focus has instead downsized the ones on the Izalco. According to the German company, this decreases the weight (less surface area equates to less material) while high-stiffness fibres allow for thinner walls, too.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C338 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=1200%2C675 4x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C338 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=1200%2C675 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=355%2C200, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=710%2C399 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=1065%2C599 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=1420%2C799 4x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=90&resize=355%2C200, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=710%2C399 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=1065%2C599 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=1420%2C799 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=405%2C228, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=810%2C456 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=1215%2C683 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=90&resize=405%2C228, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=810%2C456 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=1215%2C683 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=408%2C230, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=816%2C459 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=1224%2C689 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(min-width: 768px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=90&resize=408%2C230, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=816%2C459 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239217-ndabxm1q4qrx-f111ed1.jpg?quality=45&resize=1224%2C689 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Focus officially launched its new izalco max just a few months ago, passing over aerodynamic shaping in favor of a more traditional design that prioritizes stiffness and weight: James Huang/Future Publishing Focus officially launched its new Izalco Max just a few months ago, passing over aerodynamic shaping in favour of a more traditional design that prioritizes stiffness and weight

The head tube is still tapered but with a modest 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in steerer housed inside, and the chain stays are shorter in height relative to the older Izalco Team but spaced further apart. In between is a PressFit 30 bottom bracket shell while hollow carbon dropouts anchor the opposite ends.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116331640-jwqqjffmujph-1000-90-e4c3b54.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The campagnolo super record eps battery and brain is installed inside the frame. the charge port is situated on the underside of the down tube: The Campagnolo Super Record EPS battery and brain are installed inside the frame. The charge port is situated on the underside of the down tube

At the bike’s launch early this year, a bare 54cm frame weighed just 720g on our scale and the matching fork was only 295g. Pozzovivo is using the smallest frame size available, though, so his is most likely well below 700g – a truly staggering figure.

Such low weight would normally be fantastic for heading uphill but with the UCI’s 6.8kg minimum weight limit, it actually creates a little more work for the mechanics.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239223-1bfkqu3c0uf81-1000-90-95b73d9.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> The focus izalco max may be super light but it also looks like it’s rather comfortable: The Focus Izalco Max may be super light but it also looks like it’s rather comfortable

Pozzovivo’s frameset is dressed with a comparatively standard build kit that features a Campagnolo Super Record EPS electronic group, Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR 35 carbon tubular wheels, an SRM power meter crank, a fi’zi:k Cyrano aluminium cockpit and seatpost, a matching fi’zi:k Arione saddle, and Look KéO Blade 2 Ti pedals.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239253-15qdhxz1xiz2p-1000-90-36ec745.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> While most riders seem to prefer their bars turned slightly upward, domenico pozzovivo (ag2r-la mondiale) likes it the other way: While most riders seem to prefer their bars turned slightly upward, Domenico Pozzovivo (Ag2r-La Mondiale) likes it the other way

As shown, we recorded a total bike weight of 7.1kg. Team mechanics told us, however, that the bike is well under the limit when Fulcrum’s shallowest Racing Light wheels are installed (which doesn’t quite add up by our calculations but so be it). To rectify this, they insert weights into the bottom of the seatpost as needed (up to 350g in some cases), and then seal them in with expanding foam.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116366636-ii56m8buvcqz-1000-90-bdb138f.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Team mechanics seat weights inside the seatposts as needed to bring bikes up to the minimum 6.8kg weight: Team mechanics seat weights inside the seatposts as needed to bring bikes up to the minimum 6.8kg weight

Once the Giro hits the real mountains, you can be sure that Pozzovivo’s Focus will weigh exactly 6.8kg – and not a single gram more. There’s a pink jersey on the line, after all.

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?webp=true&quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?webp=true&quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/webp"> <source media="(max-width: 320px)" data-srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?quality=90&resize=300%2C169, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?quality=45&resize=600%2C337 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/1400116239210-1wpa1bbmd0jpc-1000-90-3bfe98a.jpg?quality=45&resize=900%2C506 3x" type="image/jpeg"> Domenico pozzovivo’s (ag2r-la mondiale) focus izalco max will supposedly weigh exactly 6.8kg when the giro d’italia hits the high mountains: Complete bike specifications

Frame: Focus Izalco Max, size XXS Fork: Focus Izalco Max Headset: FSA integrated, 1 1/8-to-1 1/4in tapered Stem: fi’zi:k Cyrano, 110mm x -6 degrees Handlebar: fi’zi:k Cyrano R3, 40cm (c-c) Tape: fi’zi:k Microtex Front brake: Campagnolo Super Record Skeleton, dual-pivot, w/ Campagnolo carbon-specific pads Rear brake: Campagnolo Super Record Skeleton, single-pivot, w/ Campagnolo carbon-specific pads Brake levers: Campagnolo Super Record EPS Ergopower Ultra-Shift Front derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Super Record EPS Shift levers: Campagnolo Super Record EPS Ergopower Ultra-Shift Cassette: Campagnolo Chorus, 11-27T Chain: Campagnolo Record 11 Crankset: SRM PowerMeter Campagnolo, 170mm, 53/39T Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Ultra-Torque OS-Fit Pedals: Look KéO Blade 2 Ti Wheelset: Fulcrum Racing Speed XLR 35 tubular Front tyre: Schwalbe One tubular, 23mm, w/ wet-weather tread Rear tyre: Schwalbe One tubular, 23mm, w/ wet-weather tread Saddle: fi’zi:k Arione, carbon fibre shell, braided carbon rails Seatpost: fi’zi:k Bottle cages: Elite Cannibal (2) Other accessories: Garmin Edge 510 and/or SRM PowerControl 7 computers, weights inside seatpost Critical measurements

Rider’s height: 1.65m (5ft 5in) Rider’s weight: 53kg (117lb) Saddle height from BB, c-t: 670mm Saddle setback: 40mm Seat tube length (c-t): 480mm Seat tube length (c-c): 435mm Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 505mm Saddle-to-bar drop: 45mm Head tube length: 110mm Top tube length (effective): 521mm Weight: 7.1kg (15.65lb, as shown)