Blink and you will have missed it – but the eagle-eyed among you may have spotted Vacansoleil-DCM’s limited edition Bianchi Oltre in the peloton during the opening three stages of the Giro d’Italia.
The bike matches Bianchi’s trademark celeste colourway with the dark blue and white of the Dutch team, with a hint of pink detail on the top tube, down tube , seat tube and chainstays to celebrate the first Grand Tour of the year.
The limited edition machine also has a commemorative logo featuring the Tour de France’s maillot jaune and the Giro’s maglia rosa to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fausto Coppi winning both races in the same year.
This year marked the return of Bianchi to the WorldTour peloton, with the Oltre, launched in 2011, dubbed the Italian manufacturer’s advanced bike to date. Technologies include Bianchi’s X-TeX headtube design, which features an internally molded cross-weaved carbon fibre structure, said to improve front end stiffness. The bowed top tube, super-skinny seatstays, and aero seatpost and fork all make for a fine looking machine.
Vacansoleil-DCM’s nine riders are also sporting limited edition BBB Select sunglasses with pink temple tips. The glasses will be available to the public next year.
