Pro bike: Robert Gesink’s Bianchi Oltre XR2

Belkin Pro Cycling start 2014 season with new bike sponsor

Robert Gesink's Belkin Pro Cycling team bike, the Bianchi Oltre XR2

David Rome / Future Publishing

David Rome

Published: January 31, 2014 at 9:00 am
Robert Gesink's Belkin Pro Cycling team bike, the Bianchi Oltre XR2 - David Rome / Future Publishing
At 6ft 2in, Gesink uses a long 140mm stem in conjunction with a 59cm frame - David Rome / Future Publishing
A aero seatpost holds the San Marco Concor saddle in place - David Rome / Future Publishing
The Tacx Tao cages cover hydration needs - David Rome / Future Publishing
Belkin are sponsored by Pioneer, yet Gesink's bike was completely free of any power meter when we saw it - David Rome / Future Publishing
One of the main changes from the original Oltre XR is the new integrated fork and head tube design - Bianchi claims this improves the bike's wind-cheating ability - David Rome / Future Publishing
The new colourscheme brings up a great debate - do Belkin green and Bianch celeste work together? - David Rome / Future Publishing
The Dutch GC contender is an often-mentioned name - David Rome / Future Publishing
The Bianchi head tube is a symbol of great cycling history - David Rome / Future Publishing
The ultra thin seatstays (UTSS) have been widened for greater frame stiffness - David Rome / Future Publishing
An eagle on the down tube shows this Bianchi is ready to soar! - David Rome / Future Publishing
Unused cableguides show all the wires are kept internal – it’s a neat look but was probably a nightmare for the mechanics - David Rome / Future Publishing
The Belkin logo sits ontop the flattened seatstay bridge - David Rome / Future Publishing

The Bianchi Oltre XR2 was first seen in the mid-2013 under the riders of Vacansoleil-DCM, and is now the bike of choice for Belkin Pro Cycling. Belkin made the move from Giant to Bianchi for the 2014 season.

An evolution of Bianchi’s original Oltre XR, the Oltre XR2 has moved to an integrated fork design for greater aerodynamics. Bianchi has also changed the bottom bracket from a BB30 to a wider press-fit BB386 and widened the seatstays for greater responsiveness. The choice of seatstays is still Bianchi’s UTSS (Ultra thin seat stays) though, the aim being to provide greater comfort without trading forward drive.

The ultra thin seatstays (utss) have been widened for greater frame stiffness: - David Rome / Future Publishing

Possibly the most discussed aspect of the Oltre XR2 is the new colourscheme. Opinion is divided on the merger of Belkin green with the classic Bianchi celeste colour, but we admit it’s growing on us.

The new colourscheme brings up a great debate - do belkin green and bianch celeste work together? : - David Rome / Future Publishing

We managed to get a close look at Robert Gesink’s bike during the Tour Down Under, where he finished sixth overall. Winner of the 2012 Tour of California, 2011 Tour of Oman and fifth in the 2010 Tour De France, the Dutch general classification contender is always a threat when climbs and time-trials are involved.

Sponsored by Pioneer pedalling systems, Gesink’s bike was missing a power meter altogether when we photographed it; yet we spotted him on another brand during the race. The team mechanics mentioned that they are currently testing a second version from Pioneer, and the team has had plenty of input into its development.

Belkin are sponsored by pioneer, yet gesink's bike was completely free of any power meter when we saw it: - David Rome / Future Publishing

Fred Morini, marketing for Bianchi, told BikeRadar that the Belkin team brought very few 23mm tyres to Australia. Instead, most of the team – including Gesink – were rolling on Vittoria Corsa SC 25mm tubulars.

Gesink’s bike is standard team issue with a complete Shimano Dura-ace 9070 groupset, including an internal race battery and an FSA cockpit.

Complete bike specifications

  • Frame: Bianchi Oltre XR2, 59cm
  • Fork: Oltre full carbon 1 1/8in- 1 1.1in
  • Headset: FSA Orbit 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in internal system
  • Stem: FSA OS-99, 140mm, -6 degree
  • Handlebar: FSA K-Force carbon, 42cm (c-c)
  • Tape: Celeste cork
  • Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
  • Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000
  • 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
  • Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CS-9000, 11-25T
  • Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
  • Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace 9000, 175mm, 53/39T
  • Bottom bracket: BB386 conversion
  • Pedals: Shimano 9000 Dura-ace
  • Wheelset: Shimano Dura-ace C50 tubular
  • Front tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm
  • Rear tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm
  • Saddle: San Marco Concor Racing Team
  • Seatpost: Bianchi Oltre full carbon aero + Shimano Di2 internal battery
  • Bottle cages: Tacx Tao (2)

Critical measurements

  • Rider's height: 1.87m (6ft 2in)
  • Rider's weight: 68kg (150lb)
  • Saddle height from BB, c-t: 827mm
  • Saddle setback: 92.5mm
  • Seat tube length (c-t): 535mm
  • Tip of saddle to center of bar: 630mm
  • Saddle-to-bar drop: 160mm
  • Head tube length: 180mm
  • Top tube length (effective): 575mm
  • Total bicycle weight: 7.17kg (15.77lb)
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