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Jan Ullrich's 2003 Team Bianchi EV3

Celeste is back
Photo ©: Bianchi International

A modern day beauty for a modern day champion

By the Cyclingnews technical team

CNC-machined front...
Photo: © Bianchi
Click for larger image

Coppi, Gimondi and Pantani are all names associated with Bianchi, and in recent months, another name was added to the list: that of Jan Ullrich. With the demise of Team Coast and its metamorphisis into what is now known as Team Bianchi, we see the marriage of one of the most famous names in cycling and one of its most famous colours, known ubiquitously as "celeste".

Edoardo Bianchi started making bikes in 1885 in his small shop in Via Nirone, Milan. His "Safety Bicycle" was the first real modern bicycle, and became the basis for the bikes the ordinary consumer and the extraordinary champions ride today.

... and rear
Photo: © Bianchi
Click for larger image

Ullrich's custom built (measuring 565 x 580mm centre to centre) Bianchi EV3 is based on the production model EV3 that is made from a new aluminium tubing known as EV3 Evolution. The frame differs from its predecessor with its oversized downtube and redesigned top and seat tube profiles, with a CNC-machined head tube housing the FSA integrated headset. A Reparto Corse-designed forged shell houses the bottom bracket, with CNC-machined rear dropouts and a new rear brake bridge rounding out the package.

As with any bike from a classic European upbringing, Campagnolo are the proud parents of Jan's EV3, with the Vicenza firm's 10 speed group turning the bike into a modern day beauty. Up front, a Bianchi 1.125" full carbon fork and ITM's oversized Millenium Super Over bars and stem take care of the steering duties. Depending on the race and weather conditions, Jan's rotating mass of choice is the Mavic Ksyrium or Cosmic Carbone, wrapped in a Vittoria EVO KX tubular tyre.

Seating duties go to Selle Italia, with the Turbomatic 4 awarded the task of keeping Jan's tush comfy on those six hour plus rides in the mountains. Ullrich has long been a Time pedal user, so it was no surprise to see their lightweight Impact Mag-Ti flippers tapped into the ends of his lovely-jubbly 177.5mm Record cranks. And weighing in at just 7.5 kilograms, Jan's sure to be floating on the pedals come July 5.

Photos

Images by Bianchi International

  • Jan Ullrich sporting his new retro-style team jersey and his Bianchi EV3.
  • The new EV3 features heat-treated and aged EV3 aluminum tubing, with a MegaPro Evolution oversized downtube.
  • The full carbon Bianchi RC fork slots into a CNC-machined headtube.
  • The rear end of the EV3 utilises CNC-machined rear dropouts and new rear brake bridge.

Full specification

Frame: Bianchi XL EV3 Aluminium
Fork: Bianchi RC full carbon
Colour: New Celeste

Cranks: Campagnolo Record
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Record
Chain: Campagnolo Record 10 speed
Front derailleur: Campagnolo Record 10 speed
Rear derailleur: Campagnolo Record 10 speed
Brakes: Campagnolo Record
Levers: Campagnolo Record
Rear sprockets: Campagnolo Record

Wheels: Mavic Ksyrium
Skewers: Mavic
Tyres: Vittoria EVO KX tubular

Bars: ITM Millenium Super Over
Stem: ITM Millenium Super Over
Headset: FSA

Pedals: Time Impact Mag-Ti
Seat post: Campagnolo Record carbon
Saddle: Selle Italia Turbo Matic 4
Bottle cages: Elite Patao