Switching from one bike to another for a professional It's like changing clothes, going from one designer to the nextCimolai knows this well. The design, the fabric and the fit itself change, to the point that When you change bikes, the first step is to trust someone who is able to put you on the new one as good as or better than the previous one.
For this, when in Denia we saw Davide tinkering with his mechanic on the new look, complete with a tape measure to adjust the brake levers, we were curious to see more clearly. Then, when we happened to follow him on his Instagram profile a small portion of the work done with the center that follows it, the 4performance2.0 of Pederobba, we decided to pick up the phone to hear what he had to say.
Four days until Christmas
He answered us Enrico Licini, owner of the center together with Alessio CamilliThey both have degrees in Sports Science and since 2009 they brought the Retul method to Italy, before Specialized took over the company, changed its policy and made it the system of which Giampaolo Mondini told us a few days ago.
Enrico and Alessio have been collaborating with Cimolai since 2018, initially also for preparation, given that the center deals with bike fitting and training. From this year however theCofidis Team He asked him to use an in-house trainer, and the Friulian changed direction. The French team switched to Look bikes: a return that the company (also French) celebrated with a video.
«The new Look – says Enrico – was given to him during the retreat in Spain before Christmas. After the first few days, he sent us a message saying that he wasn't getting anywhere.So, even though we were almost closing, we had him come here on his way back from Denia. It was December 21stWe got to work right away. As we're used to, I think Retul is a useful system, but we also rely heavily on the eye and sensations of the athlete. He has to get on the bike in the end. And I have to understand who's in front of me and what he's looking for."
The eighth bicycle
Since he turned professional, Cimolai has raced with seven different bikes: with the Look he reaches eightThere were Cannondale from Liquigas, Wilier, and then Merida from Lampre, Lapierre from FDJ. Then De Rosa from Israel, who then moved to Factor. De Rosa again at Cofidis, and now Look.
«Translating the measurements of the old bike onto the new one – explains Enrico – is something we never do. The athlete changes and the materials change, so he and his needs come first and consequently the measurements come second.. This Look fitted with the Shimano 12V, the new lever shape, the much updated frame and the new handlebars are a big step forward. We started from scratch, going to look at the corners».
The video on Instagram shows Davide pedaling hard, just like Retul…
See how the athlete responds during exercise. Sitting, standing, the way they sit, the spot they sit on. Work at different wattages and see its responseWe also combined a part of the work with Leomo, to more completely evaluate pelvic rotationIt's a system that Adam Hansen also uses a lot in his new role.
Does everything take place in your center?
We start in the studio, then follows a road trip to analyse what has been achievedWe work on corners and, most importantly, we don't have standard deadlines. It ends when the result has been achieved.
To achieve the result, is it also necessary to know the bike you are working on?
If it is already on the market, I study it. But this was a prototype, so we started working on it when Davide arrivedSince we had no time constraints, we took everything we needed. The Combo Aero handlebar has a short reach, so it is not easy to mount the brake leverThe saddle remained the SLR Superflow by Selle Italia, just more advanced.
How did Cimolai feel about the new bike?
As soon as he got on, he said it was really cool. I know Davide well by now; he's beautiful to watch on a bike. Yet over the years he too has changed, just as cycling has evolved.He gained weight and started working out differently in the gym. It has changed in the upper part of the body and also in the lower part.
Once the fitting is finished, is the position then subject to change?
We don't touch it anymore, the rider is as if he were screwed onto the bikeIf anything, I might change something based on the race schedule, but these are rare events.
Have you also thought about the length of the cranksets?
The trend toward shorter cranksets has been around for years abroad. Studies have shown that a shorter crankset offers advantages, but not excessively. Not everyone finds it convenient to mount the 165s, to be clear.We embraced this theory, even though people called us crazy. Davide is tall and has long legs and holds his 172,5. In fact, such long legs are a problem for keeping him low in front.
Is Cimolai satisfied with his position?
The day after I used it, he sent me a voice message. Want to hear it? "Hi, old man, are you okay? I wanted to tell you something. I always believed that perfection didn't exist.. Actually, I'm practically perfect in the saddle!
Handsome…
Much!
