Pro bike: Dylan Groenewegen's custom Bianchi Oltre XR4

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Pro bike: Dutch champion Dylan Groenewegen’s Tour of Britain stage-winning custom Bianchi Oltre XR4

LottoNL-Jumbo rising star rides new Bianchi, with Countervail tech, at the Tour of Britain - complete with custom paint job

Rising Dutch star Dylan Groenewegen proved his potential by winning stage four of the Tour of Britain into Builth Wells.

Groenwegen, not short on confidence in his own ability, claimed during the Tour de France he is as fast as the world’s leading sprinters and has certainly delivered some impressive results already.

Dylan Groenewegen won stage four of the Tour of Britain ahead of Dan McLay (pic: Sirotti)

The 23-year-old’s maiden year as a WorldTour pro points to a bright future, with the LottoNL-Jumbo man also winning the Dutch national road race in June – one of nine victories to his name since switching from Roompot-Oranje Peloton in the winter.

Groenewegen had already enjoyed success on British shores before his Wales’ success too, when he won the opening stage of this year’s Tour de Yorkshire.

– Bianchi launch Oltre XR4 aero road bike with comfort-enhancing Countervail technology –

LottoNL-Jumbo are sponsored by Bianchi and, as such, the team have the option to ride the newly-launched Bianchi Oltre XR4 aero bike, which featured the Italian firm’s vibration-cancelling Countervail technology.

We snapped Groenewegen’s bike in the paddock at the Tour of Britain, complete with a custom paint job to celebrate his Dutch national title. Let’s take a closer look…

Bianchi formally unveiled the Oltre XR4 during the Tour de France, where LottoNL-Jumbo were already riding the Italian firm's latest aero machine. The bike is a significant update on the previously flagship Oltre XR2, with the biggest change being the introduction of the comfort-enhancing Countervail tech. As a result Bianchi call the Oltre XR4 the most complete race bike they offer.
Groenewegen's team-mate, Tom Leezer, is still riding the Oltre XR2, making it possible to compare the two side-by-side as LottoNL-Jumbo prepared the bikes ahead of stage two of this year's race. The new Oltre XR4 features revamped aero tube profiles deeper than those of the XR2, while the seatstays are straighter and meet the seattube lower. Note also the introduction of an integrated seatpost clamp.
The biggest change is, without doubt, the introduction of the comfort-enhancing Countervail tech. What is Countervail? It's a patented viscoelastic carbon material incorporated into the layup of the bike which is said to reduce vibrations kicks up by the road. The tech was first introduced on the Bianchi Infinito CV endurance bike in 2013 and has since been added to Bianchi's Aquila TT bike, Specialissima climber's bike and Methanol CV hardtail mountain bike.
Groenewegen's Oltre XR4 stands out from the crowd thanks to the classy custom paint job to celebrate his Dutch national title. Featuring a ribboned image of the Lion of the Dutch Republic, in the red, white and blue of the national flag and with orange tails to represent the Dutch royal family, it is a simple but stylish design.
The Oltre XR4 features deeper tube profiles across the bike, most notably in the fork, to enhance its aero prowess. Curved blades on the fork are inspired by the Aquila CV time trial bike, while direct mount brakes at both the front and rear are designed to improve both braking power and aerodynamic performance. LottoNL-Jumbo are sponsored by Shimano, so the Groenewegen's bike gets a Dura-Ace Di2 groupset.
Countervail tech may not be as obvious a requirement on an aero road bike as a endurance/Classics bike, but Bianchi believe the more comfortable ride allows riders to keep a more aero position on the bike for longer, and also reduce fatigue caused by road vibrations.
Another notable change on the Bianchi Oltre XR4 is the integrated, aero-profiled seatpost, held in place by an internal, wedge-style clamp. All in all, Bianchi say the Oltre XR4 offers 20 watts in 'free speed' over the XR2.
Up front the bike still features the classic Eduardo Bianchi headtube badge. The headtube itself is inspired by the shape of the Aquila CV time trial bike in order to reduce the frontal area.
While the bike we tested at the Oltre XR4's launch featured a one-piece Vision Metron 5D handlebar and stem, Groenewegen uses FSA's K-Force stem and handlebar instead (the team is sponsored by FSA).
Groenewegen's personal touches also include a Pioneer power meter in the colours of the Dutch national flag. Groenewegen, alongside the likes of Mark Cavendish, was caught behind the crash on the final bend of the first stage of this year's Tour of Britain - consequently missing out on the chance to unleash his sprint but made amends in style by beating Dan McLay to win stage four in Builth Wells.
Finally, Groenewegen sits on a Selle San Marco Regale Racing Team saddle

Topics:

Tour of Britain 2016

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