Pro bike: Wilco Kelderman’s Bianchi Oltre XR2

Pro bike: Wilco Kelderman’s Bianchi Oltre XR2

Unfussy race machine for rising Dutch star

Sam Dansie/BikeRadar

Published: June 10, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Wilco Kelderman has been touted as the next star of Dutch cycling. The label usually comes attached to a big bag of public expectation, but the 23-year-old Belkin rider appears to be carrying it lightly this season. He took seventh at the Giro d'Italia in May – only his second grand tour – and is currently third at the Critérium du Dauphiné where he was almost able to match the pace of Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Alberto Contador (Tinkoff Saxo-Bank) up the slopes of the Col de Béal yesterday.

Kelderman is riding the very stiff Bianchi Oltre XR2, an all-round race bike in a standard team setup. That means Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 throughout, FSA components and, for him, a San Marco saddle tipped slightly forward.

The frame – ridden by most of the team’s stage race group – is a size 57cm. The frame is designed to be as stiff as possible, but there are some nods to comfort: the Oltre XR2 is built with slim seatstays to reduce road vibration and reduce weight without losing power transfer.

Kelderman is built in the Dutch mould – tall and very slender – meaning most of the kit sizes are on the lengthy side too – especially concerning leg measurements. Saddle to the centre of the bottom bracket is 788mm for example.

The bike, though an all-rounder, makes a significant nod to aerodynamics. Cables are internally routed and the front end's sculpted tapered head tube keeps frontal area to a minimum.

Complete bike specifications

  • Frame: Bianchi Oltre XR2 (570mm)
  • Fork: Bianchi Oltre
  • Headset: FSA Orbit 1 1/8in to 1 1/2in internal system
  • Stem: FSA OS-99, 110mm
  • Handlebar: FSA K-Force Carbon 420mm
  • Tape: Celeste Cork
  • Front brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000
  • Rear brake: Shimano Dura-Ace BR-9000
  • Brake levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070
  • Front derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 FD-9070
  • Rear derailleur: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 RD-9070
  • Shift levers: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 STI Dual Control ST-9070
  • Cassette: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000, 11-28
  • Chain: Shimano Dura-Ace CN-9000
  • Crankset: Shimano Dura-Ace FC-9000, 172.5mm, 53/39
  • Bottom bracket: Shimano SM-BB9000
  • Pedals: Shimano Dura-Ace SPD-SL PD-9000
  • Wheelset: Shimano Dura-Ace WH9000-C50-TU
  • Front tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm
  • Rear tyre: Vittoria Corsa SC tubular 25mm
  • Saddle: San Marco Concor Team
  • Seatpost: Oltre full carbon aero + Shimano Di2 internal battery
  • Bottle cages: Tacx Uma Carbon (2)
  • Other accessories: Pinoneer Power Meter

Critical measurements

  • Rider's height: 185cm (6ft 2in)
  • Rider's weight: 65kg (143lb)
  • Saddle height from BB, c-t: 788mm
  • Saddle setback: 87mm
  • Seat tube length (c-t): 570mm
  • Seat tube length (c-c): 515mm
  • Tip of saddle nose to center of bars (next to stem): 576mm
  • Head tube length: 160mm
  • Top tube length (effective): 560mm