The imminent return of Vincenzo Nibali to theAstana-Premier Tech brings to light all his greatest successes experienced with the Kazakh team jersey. In addition to the colors he will wear again from 2022, The Shark will find again most of the staff, who were said goodbye in 2016 with a farewell that later turned out to be a see you laterAmong these is the team's mechanic, Gabriele Tosello, as well as the tailor who will sew the Wilier Triestina tailor-made for Vincenzo.
“Toso” experienced victories and defeats from 2013 to 2016 (opening during the last stage of the Tour won in 2014), only to find himself on the eve of the next season at dust off the measurements he kept in the drawer and put the Sicilian champion back in the saddleA déjà vu that Gabriele describes to us with professionalism and enthusiasm, in finding the champion Nibali to assist again with requests, advice, and anecdotes.
The Astana team climbers will also use the Wilier Zero SLR in 2022 
The Wilier Zero Slr is the lightest model for the mountains
The Astana team climbers will also use the Wilier Zero SLR in 2022 The Wilier Zero Slr is the lightest model for the mountains
You've been in Astana since 2010. Do you already know Vincenzo?
Certainly. I was present at his arrival from Liquigas in 2013 and at his departure in 2016 for Bahrain-Merida. In the four years with us then the bike used was Specialized.
Now your technical partner is Wilier Triestina.
Yes, next year will be our third year together. The transition from Argon was natural and painless. Wilier is an Italian company that is investing a lot in research and materials, one of the few if I may sayIt works very well because it is run at a family level, If you have any requests they listen to you, you know who to talk toIt's a quality you can feel when you have it in your hands, not just in words as sometimes happens in this industry.
For Houle and the fastest men, Wilier provides the Filante 
The Filante was launched in 2021 and is Wilier's fastest bike yet.
For Houle and the fastest men, Wilier provides the Filante 
The Filante was launched in 2021 and is Wilier's fastest bike yet.
Let's go back to Vincenzo, what's his relationship with the bike?
He is someone who understands us, he's a rider who would be a great mechanicHe's quite fussy; if he had all the tools of the trade, he could disassemble and reassemble the bike. He can do small repairs and adjustments completely independently.. Assembling it from scratch, no, because he doesn't have the equipment, but he would be able to. No problem.
What bike will you provide him with?
This year we used two models the Wilier Zero SLR for climbing and the Filante SLR, the more aerodynamic one for fast races. His technical characteristics would make him suitable for the first, but knowing him he will surely also want the FilanteWe've already calculated that both models will be available for him, as for other riders. Then there are those who will only have one or the other. But we prefer to give a leader like Vincenzo every opportunity to pamper and stimulate him.
With the Turbine prepared by Tosello, Sobrero raced in the world time trial in Bruges The Turbine is the time trial bike of the team, tricolor with the same Sobrero in Faenza
With Turbine, Sobrero raced in the World Time Trial in Bruges The Turbine is the time trial bike of the team, tricolor with the same Sobrero in Faenza
Has the first meeting between Tosello and Nibali already taken place?
We will see each other around mid-November for the delivery of the bike, then we'll discuss things day by day. For now, he can't use our equipment due to his contract. We're taking this opportunity to wait for the new groups. We don't know yet whether the first one she'll receive will be the Filante or the Zero SLR.
Do you already have the measurements?
Yup, we have the ones he had in 2016 in his last year in Astana (in the photo below, ed.) and we also have the ones he used recently at Trek-SegafredoThey'll need to be adapted to the Wilier's geometry, but we're talking about only a few adjustments. It's still the same. He's an old-fashioned rider, he has his measurements, he can play with a few millimetres, but he doesn't move awayOf course, we'll have to change a few things when we move to a new model, but its references are still the same as always. Then Vincenzo will help us tailor the bike to him. Between moving backwards, forwards, and various saddle shifts,.
What size is he?
He doesn't like oversized classics. With a fair amount of out of the saddle he has always been a size L, a 56. He doesn't need to be small to drive better. Also because we tell him that no one can teach him anything in terms of confidence with the bike.
Are you picky about any particular component?
He is very fussy about the saddle. When you switch to a new saddle from another brand, it always takes a while to adjust.i. It takes a couple of months for him to feel comfortable. Unless he hasn't changed over the years with age (joking, ed.). At first he will play a little with the millimeters, then he will adjust the position himself..
What will you propose regarding brakes and wheels?
We're completely on disc brakes. For better or for worse. For better because of innovation, for worse because there's more work for the mechanics (laughs, ed.). Until 2016, Astana preferred low-profile wheels with 32mm profiles. With the transition to disc brakes, they switched to mounting wheels with higher profiles of 47/50mm.I saw that he was also riding these size wheels this year, so I think the choice will be the same. Obviously, the decision will then be adapted based on the needs of the race, whether it's uphill or flat.
What will your choice be between clinchers, tubulars, or tubeless?
We assemble Vittoria tubulars. We'll probably use tubeless tires in some races next year. that we haven't tried this year with CorimaWe tested the clincher tire in the time trials. We'll delve deeper into the tubeless and clincher tires issue during the season, because there seems to be some improvement in terms of wattsThen we'll also see based on the type of rider and the type of race, because maybe not everyone will adapt. Vincenzo will also be a point of reference for these decisions.
What bike will you have for the time trial?
The Wilier Turbine. When it comes to chronometers his attention to detail is totalFor road bikes, you can sometimes find a compromise. On the chrono, every word of his must be listened to with the caliper in hand.. Always in a good way. He's not the kind of guy who asks you for the moon. The improvements and tricks he indicates are also useful for understanding the materialsHe has a unique sensitivity. What he says has real implications; he never spouts nonsense. The beauty of Vincenzo is that you're talking to a rider who knows about mechanics.If he tells you something that could lead to an improvement, you have to listen. Always.
Does it also help you in your work?
Yup, when there is new or testing material, it is one of the few you can rely onAnd he is a point of reference for the team and his teammates in this respect too.
