WorldTour team bikes: Ag2r La Mondiale's Focus Izalco Team SL
Focus Bikes will return to the WorldTour peloton in 2013 and this, the Focus Izalco Team SL, is the machine to be used by Ag2r La Mondiale.
Focus signed a three-year deal to become the French team’s bike supplier, replacing Kuota and signalling a return to the top tier of the sport for the German brand having previously supported Katusha in 2011.
The Focus Izalco Team SL in Ag2r La Mondiale colours
The team, which inludes sprinter Yauheni Hutarovich, Jean-Christophe Péraud, ninth in the 2011 Tour de France, and promising young German Julian Kern, will use the Izalco Team SL for one-day and stage races, switching to the Izalco Chrono for time trials.
The Izalco Team SL is the top-of-the-range offering from Focus and the frame went on a diet for 2013, with the claimed weight dropping below the sub-kilo mark to 960g.
A revised carbon fibre layup has helped drop the weight, as has the move to all-carbon headset cups and the switch from BB30 to a PressFit bottom bracket.
Steering is handled by a Focus T4 Carbon fork, while shifting is taken care of by a complete Campagnolo Record EPS electronic groupset. The team will use wheels from Campagnolo’s in-house brand, Fulcrum, with the bike above pictured with their top-of-the-range Racing Speed XLR wheels: a full carbon, 50mm-deep hoop (with a claimed weight of 1,324g for the wheelset).
The wheels are shod with Schwalbe Ultremo HD tubular tyres, while LOOK supply the team with Keo Blade pedals. Otherwise, Fi’zi:k are best known for their saddles and Ag2r riders will be able to choose from the Arione, Antares and Aliante models, but the team will also be testing the Italian firm’s all-new handlebars and stem in 2013.
Fi’zi:k launched in 1996 with a range of saddles, and unveiled their first seatpost (which Ag2r will also use) in 2009, before moving into shoes in 2010. Now, with handlebars and stems on the production line, Fi’zi:k will have all contact points covered. Ag2r riders will test a number of models, including the Cyrano ‘bar and stem, throughout the season, providing feedback before a consumer range is announced later this year.
