World record holder and multiple-time world champion Jack Bobridge may have stated that he's returning his focus to the track this year with an eye on the 2016 Olympics but for the time being, he's back on the road with Budget Forklifts, an Australian Continental team where his track teammates will race too.
With an Hour Record attempt planned for the end of the month, Bobridge is clearly in form as he's currently leading this year's Tour Down Under.
Bobridge won the first stage at the 2015 Tour Down Under
Following a convincing win in the first stage of the Tour Down Under, Bobridge continues to wear the leader's jersey heading into the third stage. This was all made possible by riding for the UniSA team, an Australian national team that was invited to the Tour Down Under as a composite of non-WorldTour riders. This team has a long history of producing results at the race, and raising awareness for talented riders on a world stage.
With Cervelo missing from the 2015 WorldTour, the Canadian brand’s sponsorship has shifted to women’s cycling (Velocio-SRAM) and smaller, Continental-based teams – such as Budget Forklifts.
Bobridge is using a stock 54cm Cervelo 2015 S3 frameset. While this may not be quite as fast as the brand’s upper-level S5 aero-road model as far as the wind tunnel is concerned, the S3 is pitched as a more well rounded race bike. This is seen with thinner seatstays borrowed from the brand’s R-series, which offer a greater level of compliance at the rear – something that is greatly beneficial on some Australian roads.
Campagnolo Record 11 mechanical for Bobridge
That frameset is built with a Campagnolo Record 11 mechanical drivetrain and brakes. While Campagnolo does offer a marginally lighter Super Record groupset, Record offers all the same performance in a slightly cheaper package – something that is important given the tight budgets in Continental racing. Perhaps given Bobridge's track background, the lever bodies are set up with a pronounced inward angle instead of the usual inline position.
Showing no budget restraint, however, is the SRM Campagnolo 11-speed crank and matched SRM PowerControl 7 computer.
Equally as top-level to the SRM are the Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels. Although now superseded by the wider Bora Ultra 50, these 50mm-deep tubular wheels with ceramic bearings and a 1310g claimed weight certainly don't appear to be a disadvantage.
Bobridge's choice of tyres – the notably durable Veloflex Arenberg – is proof that Australia's roads aren't the finest
The Veloflex Arenberg tubulars are more commonly seen in the European classics where cobbles and extremely raw roads mean punctures are likely. Australia’s roads aren’t the best and so this choice is likely to be more durable and grippier than faster and lighter options.
Lastly, Prologo and 3T components round out the build. Again, the ultralight top-level parts are not present here which leads to a total bike weight of 7.4kg (16.28lb). This is reasonably heavy given the mechanical gearing and average frame size.
Complete bike specifications
- Frame: Cervelo S3 – size 54cm
- Fork: Cervelo S3
- Headset: FSA Orbit IS integrated
- Stem: 3T ARX II Team, 130mm x -6 degrees
- Handlebar: 3T ErgoSum Team Stealth, 40cm (c-c)
- Tape: Prologo OneTouch
- Front brake: Campagnolo Record 11
- Rear brake: Campagnolo Record 11
- Brake levers: Campagnolo Record 11
- Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11
- Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record 11
- Shift levers: Campagnolo Record 11
- Cassette: Campagnolo Record 11, 11-25T
- Chain: Campagnolo Record 11
- Crankset: SRM Campagnolo 11-speed, 172.5mm, 53/39T
- Bottom bracket: Wishbone BBRight BPF3025C
- Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-Ace
- Wheelset: Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two
- Front tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm
- Rear tyre: Veloflex Arenberg tubular, 25mm
- Saddle: Prologo Scratch Pro
- Seatpost: Cervelo Carbon
- Bottle cages: Elite Mio Sior (2)
- Computer: SRM Power Control 7
Critical measurements
- Rider's height: 1.80m (5ft 11in)
- Rider's weight: 65kg (143lb)
- Saddle height from BB, c-t: 750mm
- Saddle setback: 60mm
- Tip of saddle to centre of bar: 565mm
- Saddle-to-bar drop: 100mm
- Head tube length: 148mm
- Top tube length (effective): 548mm
- Total bicycle weight: 7.4kg (16.28lb, with SRM computer)