The Bianchi Oltre XR has been superseded by the Oltre XR2 in the Italian firm’s range but it will be some time until all Vacansoleil-DCM riders have a chance to swing a leg over the flagship machine.

We rode the Oltre XR2 at Bianchi’s launch in northern Italy back in May – a rare opportunity to sample the latest tech ahead of the pros – and a handful of riders from the Dutch team rode the new bike at the Tour de France but, for most, the Oltre XR remains the weapon of choice at least until the 2014 model enters full production.

There’s nothing second-rate above Frederik Veuchelen’s Oltre XR, however. The 2006 Dwars door Vlaanderen winner’s machine is one of the few pro bikes we’ve seen dressed in components from Campagnolo’s top-of-the-range Super Record EPS groupset. Most have to ‘make do’ with Record.

Vacansoleil-DCM are also sponsored by FSA and the K-Force Light chainset and SL-K brakes come from the Lombary-based firm’s catalogue to continue the Italian theme.

Otherwise, Veuchelen’s machine was equipped with FFWD F6R Celeste Team Edition wheels wrapped in Vredestein Fortezza Pro TriComp tubs, FSA finishing kit, a Selle San Marco Zoncolan saddle and a CycleOps Joule computer for our inspection.

Open the gallery above for a closer look at the machine the 34-year-old, who has been with Vacansoleil-DCM since the team’s inception in 2009, brought to the UK for the RideLondon-Surrey Classic.