Katusha will use SRAM’s new Red eTap wireless electronic groupset in 2016 after the team of Alexander Kristoff and Joaquim Rodriguez announced a partnership with the American firm.
SRAM launched the Red eTap groupset in August, finally joining Shimano and Campagnolo in offering an electronic setup. However, Red eTap marks itself apart from Shimano Di2 and Campagnolo EPS in being wireless, while SRAM say it is also the world’s lightest groupset.
Katusha used Shimano components in 2015 but the Russian team’s Canyon bikes will be equipped with SRAM Red eTap for the new campaign, which starts with the Tour Down Under on January 17-24.
– SRAM launch Red eTap wireless electronic groupset –
The team will also have the regular Red groupset at their disposal for mountainous races, thanks to the wide-ranging WiFli cassettes that can be used with the mechanical gruppo. The team will race and train on the SRAM Red Quarq power meter.
Canyon’s partnership with Katusha continues into 2016, with the German bike manufacturer providing the Ultimate CF SLX and Aeroad CF SLX frames, as well as the Speedmax CF SLX time trial bike.
– Nine of the top tech innovations of 2015 –
The latest update of the Ultimate CF SLX is also new for 2016, billed as a lighter, more comfortable and more aerodynamic version of Canyon’s existing climber’s frame.
Katusha finished the 2015 season ranked second in the UCI’s team rankings, with Kristoff winning the Tour of Flanders and Rodriguez claiming two stages of the Tour de France as well as second overall at the Vuelta a Espana.
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