Fraser Gough is a young New Zealand solo-specialist and one of the Avanti Racing Team’s newest recruits. For 2015, the Avanti Racing Team (FKA Praties) has moved its longstanding Tasmanian-base across the pond to New Zealand. Gough is one example of a new Kiwi direction for the Continental team as it aims to become a global force.
While still fairly unknown outside of New Zealand, Gough joins the team having previously raced for Belgium-based Team3M. Earlier in the year, Gough motored his 193cm (6ft 4in) frame to become the Under 23 New Zealand national time trial champion.
The Avanti Racing Team (Praties) has an undeniable track record when it comes to turning out world-class athletes. Riders such as Richie Porte (Sky), Nathan Earle (Sky), Nathan Haas (Garmin-Cervelo), Campbell Flakemore (BMC) and Jack Haig (Orica-GreenEdge) all received WorldTour contracts having ridden for the team (under various sponsor names). With this, talent such as Gough are naturally attracted to such a team.
For the 2015 season, the team will continue to ride a combination of Avanti Corsa SL (SuperLight) and DR (Drag Reduction) bikes – with Gough on the latter. With no changes to the team livery or the SL frame since its launch in 2014, the bikes remain mostly unchanged.
New brake mount style and position for the 2015 Corsa DR
The DR does however receive a slight tweak, in the form of a direct mount rear brake beneath the chainstays. This is done to further enhance the bike’s aerodynamic credentials.
Other aero features include a slightly skinnier 1 1/4in lower bearing in the tapered head tube, internal cable routing and an integrated seat clamp that bolts from the back.
Despite being designed with aerodynamics as a key factor, the DR boasts a sub one-kilogram frame weight in a medium size and is claimed to be stiff enough for the heaviest of sprinters. This is achieved with the use of ‘C6’ high-modulus carbon construction and such features as a wide down tube that uses the full width of the BB86 bottom bracket shell, which then feeds onto asymmetrical chainstays.
Interestingly, despite Gough’s tall stature, he only rides Avanti’s second largest size – a 58cm. As a time trialist, Gough is used to riding in a very aggressive position, with a 140mm stem and massive 158mm saddle to bar drop.
Gough has had this bike for less than two weeks, so his fit and related component choices may still change
With the team’s new recruits only just receiving their new rides and being fitted to them when BikeRadar paid a visit, some things weren’t yet set in stone. This is certainly the case with Gough’s bike, showing an uncut steerer and a possible stem and saddle change to come.
Pioneer is now recording the power data for the Avanti Racing Team
Where in the past team members would use their own SRM systems, Pioneer Cycling now sponsors the Avanti Racing team. Pioneer’s dual-leg power system is bonded directly to a standard Dura-Ace 9000 crank-arm, meaning team riders are able to use a full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset.
Just like Jack Haig’s Avanti Corsa SL bike, which we featured earlier in the year, Gough uses Di2 sprint shifters for gear control from the drops in addition to the standard shift levers.
Kenda clinchers are used as 'everyday' rubber
Similar to Team Sky rider Nathan Earle and his bike we recently featured, Gough’s steed is set up for training and so is fitted with Shimano Dura-Ace clincher wheels shod in 23c Kenda rubber. We expect Gough to race on Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheels and Kenda ‘SC’ tubulars (rebadged from another brand).
The rest of Gough's bike is built with a handful of alloy equipment from component team sponsor Zero and carbon bottle cages from Blackburn. The one exception away from team sponsor equipment is a PRO Vibe 7s stem, with Gough’s lanky build demanding a stem 10mm longer than what Zero offers.
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: Avanti Corsa DR CR6, 58cm
- Fork: Avanti ADT CR6 tapered
- Headset: Internal tapered (unbranded)
- Stem: PRO Vibe 7s, 140mm, -10 degree
- Handlebar: Zero Attack Pro alloy, 42cm (c-c)
- Tape: Zero micro wrap
- Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
- Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9010 direct-mount
- Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070
- Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070
- Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070 + SW-R610 sprint (on drops)
- Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 11-25T
- Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
- Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000 11-speed, 175mm, 53/39T + Pioneer dual-leg power meter
- Bottom bracket: Shimano BB-71 press-fit
- Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-ace
- Wheelset: Shimano Dura-ace C24 clincher (training-use)
- Front tyre: Kenda Kaliente Pro 23c
- Rear tyre: Kenda Kaliente Pro 23c
- Saddle: Zero Zealth Team
- Seatpost: Avanti Aero carbon
- Bottle cages: Blackburn Camber CF (2)
- Computer: Pioneer SGX-CA500
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
- Rider's weight: 78kg (172lb)
- Saddle height from BB, c-t: 848mm
- Saddle setback: 93mm
- Seat tube length (c-t): 550mm
- Tip of saddle to center of bar: 630mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop: 158mm
- Head tube length: 188mm
- Top tube length (effective): 580mm
- Total bicycle weight (with pictured training wheels): 7.32kg (16.1lb)