UAE Team Emirates riders benefitted from huge aero innovations at the season’s opening GrandTour.

The 2022 Giro d’Italia has provided three weeks of excitement, entertainment and innovation, the latter seen explicitly on stages 2 and 21. 

These, of course, were the two time-trial days where UAE Team Emirates became the first team to utilise revolutionary Campagnolo equipment.

Campagnolo and Colnago, plus expert insight from the riders and staff of UAE Team Emirates, collaborated to create Colnago’s prototype TT1 time-trial bike that enjoyed its first aerodynamic airing in Italy. 

The TT1, that’ll be used by Tadej Pogačar at the Tour de France, is the first time-trial bike from Colnago to feature disc brakes, and that’s thanks in part to the world-class team at Campagnolo who’ve designed and created a quartet of cutting-edge gear to help elite and recreational riders achieve their goals. (Currently, the TT1’s only approved for racing but, after a few modifications, will be available on general sale this autumn.)

First up, Campagnolo’s forged new time-trial brake-lever controls utilised on the TT1. 

The stealth and lightweight controls effortlessly operate the electronic-only gearing (Super Record EPS) without the rider having to ease an inch out of their aerodynamic position.

The addition of disc brakes also cranks up both braking power and the rigidity of the entire bicycle due to the use of thru-axles.

The TT1 also features Campagnolo’s Bora Ultra WTO 80mm front wheel that weighs just 740g and integrates seamlessly with the frame design of the TT1 for streamlined speed. 

A full disc version nestles outback to further maximise the efforts of UAE Team Emirates’ riders at the Giro and, going forward, WorldTour events all around the world including July’s Tour and August/September’s Vuelta a Espana.

There will also be the rear Bora Ultra WTO 80mm in order to have the pair available.

The unparalleled drag-reduction delivered by this game-changing set-up and integration’s been proven thanks to use of computational fluid dynamics and wind-tunnel testing. 

This wind-tunnel testing took place at Politecnico di Milano University and, according to Colnago, resulted in “unprecedented results in terms of performance at high speeds”.

Finally, away from the world of time-trial, the eagle-eyed among cycling fans might have spotted Campagnolo’s new climbing wheel help the likes of Almeida swiftly ascend the Blockhaus on stage nine of the Giro d’Italia. 

More details will come but highlights including a wider rim shape than the WTO range, featuring a wide and almost flat sidewall that transitions into a U-shaped profile close to the spoke bed for improved aerodynamics and better handling. 

Also, a traditional 2-cross and radial spoke pattern helps to shed weight.

With this collection of fast, lightweight, beautiful products, Campagnolo’s stayed true to its philosophy of helping riders to dream bigger and ride stronger.

Discover the new full carbon Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO 80 wheel

Discover the new full carbon Campagnolo Bora Ultra WTO TT Disc Brake wheel

Discover the Campagnolo Super Record EPS Disc Brake triahtlon - time trial groupset