Museeuw

In 2004 Johan Museeuw retired from International Cycling. It was a chapter of his life that brought him much success, from winning 11 World Cups to Paris-Roubaix not once, but three times. Indeed, he dominated Belgian cycling during the ’90s. He was reknowned as being an incredibly strong sprinter, but he also had the stamina to last the duration required to win such one-day Classics as he has done so.

We may not see his strength put to the test on the race circuit again, but the launch of his own brand of frames means he’s going to avoid quietly slipping into retirement and taking up golf, or whatever it is that pro cyclists do when they retire. He’s launched two frames, which we brought you the first look at a while ago.

The two models, MF1 and MF3, will be available in six colours to commemorate Johan’s six most memorable victories. The MF1 and MF3 Carbon/Flax frames are the result of extensive research and development by Museeuw and his associates, IPA Composites in Belgium and Billato in Italy.

We asked importers Omnipex what flax is (honest, I’d never heard of it before) and it turns out it’s sourced from a plant – hence the plant decal on the frame – which is added to the carbon when it’s being mixed up. It promises increased strength without any weight penalty. Hopefully we’ll get one on test soon…

For more information and dealer enquiries please contact Onimpex (UK) Ltd Tel: 01925 570916 or email: [email protected]

Billato

The Northern Italian company started out in 1954, when Silvio Billato put his name, and craft, into producing racing frames for many of the top Italian cyclists of the time. This desire for producing frames of the highest quality has continued, and there’s now nine frames in the range. The Criterium pictured combines DedaForce 7005 aluminium with Black Tail2 carbon seat stays, resulting in a 1320g frame weight. The carbon framed Competizione uses 4k and 5k multi-directional carbon for a frame weight of 1050g.

Museeuw and Billato frames are imported by www.onimpex.co.uk.