Giro d’Italia overall leader Steven Kruijswijk will tackle Sunday’s stage 15 mountain time trial on an adapted Bianchi Specialissima, the Italian company’s lightweight climbing machine.
Rather than go full pink, Kruijswijk’s bike has subtly added touches of pink to celebrate the Dutchman’s position in the maglia rosa: bar tape and Pioneer power meter.
Photo: LottoNL-Jumbo/Twitter
Photo: LottoNL-Jumbo/Twitter
Otherwise, the Specialissima has been left in its natural colours: black with celeste decals. The only other notable addition are the short aero bars.
A full Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and C50 wheels are also installed, as per team specification.
.@s_kruijswijk’s @BianchiOfficial Specialissima is ultra light, celeste & #pink! @pioneercyclo @tacx @ShimanoROAD pic.twitter.com/LhRZWZ8GfE
— LottoNLJumbo Cycling (@LottoJumbo_road) May 22, 2016
The big question, of course, is whether Kruijswijk will don a full pink skinsuit, helmet, gloves, glasses and socks for the tough test against the clock. A picture of the 28-year-old adjusting his Bell helmet would suggest he might not, as it only features pink highlights.
Guess what colour @s_kruijswijk's new @BellBikeHelmets is today?! pic.twitter.com/G5RPZCN9Jg
— LottoNLJumbo Cycling (@LottoJumbo_road) May 22, 2016
LottoNL-Jumbo also posted photos of Kruijswijk on his way to recon the 10.8km route from Castelrotto to Alpe di Siusi this morning.
After Saturday’s explosive stage in the Dolomites, Kruijswijk sits 41 seconds ahead of general classification rival Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), with stage 14 winner Esteban Chaves (Orica-GreenEdge) in third at one minute and 32 seconds.
It’s highly likely that the top order of the GC will be significantly different after the mountain time trial, and could play a significant part in shaping the final podium.
As race leader, Kruijswijk is last man off in the time trial. Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo) is the first rider up the mountain at 1.30pm local time.
