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Dauphiné Libéré
Photo ©: Sirotti
 
 

Team Coast's Bianchi Reparto Corse EV4

Blue or green?
Photo ©: Bianchi

A new start

By John Stevenson

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Campagnolo equipment
Photo: © Bianchi

Bianchi is the new bike sponsor for 2002 for 'the other German Division I team', and Team Coast must be hoping that between a new bike, lots of new riders – including Angel Casero – and new team manager Marcel Wüst, 2002 will be a better year than 2001.

Coast riders will certainly be well-equipped with bikes. Each rider gets at least five machines, according to Bianchi marketing guy Philip Addyman: an EV2 for training; EV4 for racing; two titanium bikes for Classics and general racing and one time trial bike. "Plus," says Addyman, "extra chrono bikes for team leaders and other 'special request' bikes – for instance a track bike for Frank Hoj, who did the Copenhagen six days recently."

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Integrated
Photo: © Bianchi

Built from Bianchi's own Dedacciai aluminium tube set, the EV4 is Coast's 'serious' frame, and Addyman claims a 56cm frame weighs just 980g. 20g of that is Bianchi's patented Structural Foam Injection, an addition to the bottom bracket area that is claimed to double frame life and increase rigidity by 15 percent.

Coast's frames are all custom-built for the individual riders. As Addyman puts it, "Geometry for all 27 riders has been painstakingly produced to their individual requests. This has pleased many of the riders, particularly Zülle, who commented to Bianchi President of Sporting Activity, Felice Gimondi: 'The EV2 is the best bike I have ever ridden.' "

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Tidy seat cluster
Photo: © Bianchi

As well as EV2 and EV4 bikes, Bianchi is currently busy building titanium frames for the Spring Classics. "These will be solid, reliable frames based upon a 1400g weight for a 55 frame, that should provide some comfort over the pavé, "says Addyman.

Once the season is underway, there will no doubt be some more tailoring for rider preferences: "As the major stage races draw closer we expect the team leaders to make specific requirements. One thing is for sure, major GC contenders like Casero will have two identical chrono bikes."

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Mavic wheels
Photo: © Bianchi

Keeping with the Italian theme, Campagnolo is Coast's main component supplier, with everything but the wheels coming from Vicenza. The Campagnolo parts pick includes the Record carbon seatpost and of course Record 10 transmission and Record brakes.

Bar and stem are ITM Millennium. Coast rolls on Vittoria tubulars, wrapped round a variety of Mavic wheels depending on the race and conditions. For road racing Coast will use Ksyrium SSC SLs and Classics, while for time trials there are Cosmic Carbons and Cometes in the quiver.

Finally, the team has a choice of Selle Italia seats. Casero goes for a Turbo Matic, and you can read the rest of his preferences at the foot of the page.

Full specification

Frame: Bianchi Reparto Corse EV4 hyperalloy - 980g/56cm claimed
Fork: Bianchi Reparto Corse carbon - 350g claimed
Colour: Bianchi celeste (blue/green)

Cranks: Campagnolo Record 53/39
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Record
Chain: Campagnolo Record 10
Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record
Brakes & levers: Campagnolo Record
Rear sprockets: Campagnolo Record 10spd 11-21 or 11-23

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL, Cosmic Carbon or Comete
Spokes: Mavic
Rim: Mavic
Skewers: Mavic
Tires: Vittoria tubulars

Stem: ITM Millennium
Bar: ITM
Tape: NA
Head set: Cane Creek Integrated

Pedals: Time
Seat post: Campagnolo Record carbon
Saddle: Selle Italia

More information: Cyclingnews teams database, Team Coast's website, Bianchi's website


Rider details

                Frame   Top    Frame   Crank   Saddle      Bar    Stem
                size    Tube   angles  length  model       width  length
 
Angel Casero    60cm    57cm   73/73   175mm   Turbo Matic 44cm   120mm