We're in the middle of the cyclocross season and the World Championships are approaching, with the two phenomena of the discipline continuing to duke it out. As everyone knows by now, Jumbo Visma di Wout van aert he changed bikes from White a CervéloBut since the Canadian brand does not have a cyclocross bike in its range, Van Aert will continue the season with his new Bianchi Zolder Pro painted in the colours of Jumbo Visma (opening photo).
Unique configuration
Bianchi recently remodeled the Zolder Pro following the advice he received from Van Aert. Let's say right away that the three-time cyclocross world champion uses the Zolder Pro in a configuration that is not available on the marketFor us mere mortal amateurs the Zolder Pro is available with the groupset Shimano GRX600, wheels Vision Team 30 with tyres Vittoria and handlebars, stem and seat post signed by Bianchi Racing Department in the Celeste colorway. Bianchi also offers the frameset alone, in addition to Celeste, also in the Nero Purple/Rainbow colorway.
The configuration created for Van Aert sees the use of the Shimano Dura Ace Di2 as a groupset. The Belgian champion often uses the 39-46 combination on the front with an 11-28 sprocket set. Van Aert is one of the few who continues to use the double front crown, as Enrico Franzoi pointed out to us in an interview some time ago. As for the crankset size, Van Aert uses 172,5mm ones: here too a confirmation of the latest technical trends in the professional world, with shorter cranksets compared to a few seasons ago. As for the pedals, they are fitted with Shimano XTR new generation slightly thinner.
Integrated handlebar
At the level of handlebars Van Aert's Zolder Pro features the Vision Metron 6D. Even the carbon seatpost is signed Vision, while the saddle is a Physics Antares R1 with carbon chassis. Moving on to the wheels, we find again Shimano with the C40 made of carbon on which tubulars are mounted Dugast 33mm wide.
New wagon
As we said at the beginning, Bianchi has remodeled the Zolder Pro, improving some aspects. Let's start from the rear triangle that now features lowered seat stays for greater responsiveness and at the same time improved comfort. Furthermore, the bridge between the two seat stays has been removed. This choice was made to improve mud clearance, a key aspect in cyclocross.
The bottom bracket has been raised to improve the distance of the cranks from the groundThis ensures better sliding on twisty sections or with obstacles on the ground. The bottom bracket size remains generous, remaining a Press Fit BB86.
Few but significant, the changes in the fork, which is now more squared on the insideSolution that allows the mounting of tires up to 40 millimeters wide and allows mud to pass through better.
One last aspect that was specifically requested by Van Aert is the positioning of the second bottle cage. This It has been lowered to allow for easier shouldering of the bike. A detail that can make the difference in a race.
Stable and high-performance
In terms of geometry, the Zolder Pro features measurements typical of competition-oriented cyclocross bikes, with 42,5cm low seat stays, a fairly open head angle and an aggressive seat angle to improve pedaling power on the rough terrain typical of cyclocross.
| Seat tube length (cm) | Top tube length (cm) | Steering angle | Saddle angle | Rear chainstay length (cm) | Head tube height (cm) |
| 48 | 51 | 70,5° | 75,5° | 42,5 | 10 |
| 50 | 52,5 | 70,5° | 75° | 42,5 | 11,5 |
| 52 | 53,5 | 71° | 74,5° | 42,5 | 12,5 |
| 54 | 54,5 | 71,5° | 74° | 42,5 | 13,5 |
| 56 | 56 | 72° | 73,5° | 42,5 | 14,5 |
| 58 | 57,5 | 72,5° | 73° | 42,5 | 16 |
The result is a bicycle that favors handling and stability but with a pedaling setting aimed at the pursuit of performance.
