Wilier Ironman Champions

Kate Major

“Major” Kate is a fixture of top women’s triathlon, as well as a perennial podium finisher – including at the Ironman World Championships in Kona. She is well respected for being strong in each of the three disciplines. In her work with aerodynamicist and biomechanics expert John Cobb, she became a superior triathlete by focusing on better bike positioning in order to be fresher for the run.

Career Highlights

Multiple-time Ironman Champion (IMAZ 2005, IM LAKE PLACID 2004) & 3-time Ironman World Championship podium.

Kate has completed 18 Ironman events and never finished off the podium in a professional Ironman race outside Hawaii.

2009

3^rd place – Ironman Arizona

2^nd place – Ironman Coeur d’Alene

4^th place – Geelong 70.3

5^th – Singapore 70.3

8^th – New Orleans 70.3

2008

1^st – Ironman Boise 70.3

2^nd – Ironman Australia

Why Kate Chose the Cento1 Crono

“The combination of John Cobb's design, Wilier's technology and the brand’s heritage makes for the perfect catalyst. I think it’s the world’s fastest, most responsive TT bike. The Ferrari red colour and Italian flag-highlights emphasize its sophisticated lines – it’s beautiful and yearns to be ridden. And ridden fast!”

2010 Objectives

“The two big races for me this year are Ford Ironman St. George (Utah) and Kona.”

Chris McDonald

Chris “Big Sexy” McDonald is one of triathlon’s hardest-working athletes and is also an accomplished bike racer. He has set multiple course records and is all about efficient cycling technique in order to be fast on the bike while being strong in all three disciplines. Now respected as one of triathlon’s better cyclists, Chris worked for years to become a good bike handler. One of the things he likes best about his Wilier, in addition to the brand’s illustrious heritage and the Cento1 Crono’s pure speed, is that it rides as well as any road bike.

Career Highlights

Multiple course & bike split record holder

2010

3^rd place – Ironman St. George

2^nd place/Fastest bike split – Ironman 70.3 China

2009

1^st place/New course record – Challenge Wanaka

1^st place/New bike course record/New course record – Super Frog 70.3

1^st place/New bike course record – Rockman 70.3

5^th place/Fastest bike split – Ironman Wisconsin

2008

1^st Place/New Course Record – Ironman Wisconsin

2^nd Place/New Bike Course Record – Ironman Louisville

4^th Place – Challenge Roth

Why Chris Chose the Cento1 Crono

“What I love most about my Cento1 Crono is the way it rides – I could not be happier. It climbs and descends like a road bike and is very fast in a straight line. It has the best of all worlds put into a sexy looking bike.”

Chris’s 2010 Objectives

“My biggest events this year will be Ironman Coeur d’Alene and the Ford Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. My ambitions are to always be consistent and to be in contention for the win every time I race.”

Hillary Biscay

One of professional triathlon’s most prolific competitors, Hillary Biscay is indefatigable. She spends most of her bike training time on a time trial bike, so it must be lightweight, fast and comfortable. When looking for the ideal athlete to showcase our Tri-Crono – a bike designed and priced to help any rider be faster and more confident – Hillary seemed the ideal champion. The Tri-Crono boasts virtually the same aerodynamic sculpting as the Cento1 Crono based on thousands of hours of wind tunnel testing and the latest research in waveform dynamics.

Career Highlights

The first triathlete to achieve six top-5 placings at Ironman events in a single season

2010

3^rd place – Ironman Malaysia

2009

3^rd place – Challenge Wanaka

6^th place – Ironman China

5^th place – Ironman Lanzarote Canarias

5^th place – Ironman Japan

3^rd place – Ironman Wisconsin

3^rd place – Challenge Barcelona-Maresme

2008

1^st place – Ironman Wisconsin

Why Hillary Chose the Tri-Crono

"In the past few months, I've been cycling better than ever on my Wilier Tri-Crono. It is an exceptionally fast and comfortable ride and I really think it is playing an essential part in taking my cycling to the next level."

Hillary’s 2010 Objectives

"I started off the 2010 season on my new Wilier with a third-place finish at Ironman Malaysia. I have seven more Ironmans on the calendar for this year and my goal is to record as many podium finishes as possible."

Wilier To Sponsor Pro Triathlete Hillary Biscay

Ironman Champion & 5-Time Iron Runner-up Rides Tri-Crono

Atlanta, GA (Feb 16, 2010) – Wilier Triestina USA has announced sponsorship of Ironman Champion and perennial Iron Distance podium finisher Hillary Biscay. She will be riding the 2010 Tri-Crono, one of three Wilier Triestina Crono time trial models designed by John Cobb, also supplied to ProTour cycling team Lampre-Farnese Vini. One of the most prolific female pro triathletes on the circuit, Biscay joins fellow Ironman Champions Kate Major and Chris McDonald in Wilier’s lineup of multisport athletes. Biscay is the first woman to record six top-5 Iron Distance finishes in a single year (2006). In all, she has twenty-one Iron Distance top-5 finishes in her palmarès.

Biscay explained that choosing the right bike is key: “I am really excited about my partnership with Wilier. I spent a long time searching for the ultimate ride. Making a change in the vehicle I use to make my living was not something I took lightly, so I am thrilled to have found a bike and a company whom I can trust to ensure that I have every technical advantage on the road.” After her first weekend on the new rig, Biscay went on to say, “I love my new bike! The Wilier Tri-Crono is an amazingly smooth and responsive ride. It seems to take a whole lot of the shock that I previously absorbed in my lower back. The Wilier really is an awesome ride.”

Wilier Triestina president, Angelo Cilli, who spearheads the company’s sponsorship activities, again emphasized the importance of finding and partnering with the right triathletes. “Hillary is both well liked and well respected in the world of triathlon,” Cilli said. “She represents well as a person, as well as a strong athlete, and complements our sponsorship of other Ironman champs Chris McDonald and Kate Major.”

“The Tri-Crono is a new model for us this year, priced for a broad range of competitive multisport athletes,” continued Cilli. “Hillary will be an important part of our message that there is world-class aero bike – for everyone – capable of competing at the highest levels.”

Like the other Wilier Crono models, the Tri-Crono is based on John Cobb’s wind tunnel research over two decades, including serving as a past adviser of Lance Armstrong and many of professional triathlon’s top competitors. The Tri-Crono is founded on the principles of wave form dynamics, with tubing shaped to optimally diminish turbulence by directing airflow past bike and body parts. In addition to its aerodynamic qualities, the Tri-Crono provides road bike feel, control and comfort, which distinguish all Wilier Triestina road models.

Lino Gastaldello Memorial Services Thurs, Jan 28

Entrepreneur, Bike Industry Personality, Family Man & Cyclist

Memorial services will be held to honor and celebrate the life of Lino Gastaldello, president of Wilier Triestina Spa, on Thursday January 28. The viewing will take place in Wilier's hall of champions, where bikes of past campionissimi are displayed. The memorial service will be held at 3pm in the Rossano Veneto Cathedral.

Instead of flowers, the Gastaldello family asks that donations made to benefit orphans in Haiti.


Giovedì il funerale di Lino Gastaldello

L’estremo saluto a Lino Gastaldello sarà dato giovedì 28 gennaio. In mattinata la salma sarà trasferita dall’ospedale di Castelfranco Veneto alla sede aziendale di Wilier Triestina, in via Fratel Venzo a Rossano Veneto, dove verrà allestita una camera ardente. Il funerale sarà celebrato con inizio alle 15 nel duomo di Rossano Veneto.

I familiari invitano le persone che vorranno partecipare alle esequie a non lasciare fiori ma donazioni, che saranno destinate tramite la Caritas ai bambini orfani di Haiti.

In questi momenti di profonda sofferenza la famiglia Gastaldello intende ringraziare tutti coloro, e sono stati moltissimi, che hanno manifestato il loro sincero cordoglio e il loro dolore sin dalle prime ore dopo la disgrazia. Una toccante dimostrazione di affetto che dà la misura di quanto Lino sia entrato nel cuore di chiunque abbia avuto la fortuna di conoscerlo.

A man who truly walked the walk

Many people may not know that Lino's father worked in the original Wilier factory. That the modern era Wilier Triestina is a true family-run business all'italiana. Or that the Gastaldellos installed an elaborate set of solar panels at their main facility in Italy to be a greener company. Lino also led group rides when Wilier dealers would come to visit each year during the Giro. It's difficult to say goodbye to a man who truly "walked the walk".

Respect.

Lino Gastaldello - in memoriam

We have some very sad news to share: Lino Gastaldello, who revived the Wilier Triestina brand and has run the company along with his sons over the past three decades, was killed while out riding his bike earlier today in San Zenone degli Ezzelini, Italy.

We will always remember him as an indefatigable and passionate figure in the bicycle industry, a staunch supporter of amateur and professional cycling, a caring family man and a person of great integrity. He is survived by his wife, his children Enrico, Michele, Andrea and Valeria as well as five grandchildren. His memory will remain forever in our hearts.

Purtroppo dobbiamo condividere con voi una tragica notizia che ci ha sconvolto. Sabato 23 Gennaio il nostro presidente Lino Gastaldello è stato vittima di un incidente mentre faceva il suo solito, amato giro in bicicletta. E’ stato travolto da un’auto e dopo i primi soccorsi è morto in ospedale. Aveva soltanto 71 anni.

Lo ricorderemo come un uomo instancabile e appassionato al suo lavoro, sostenitore del ciclismo a livello amatoriale e professionistico. Una persona fantastica che ha dedicato tutta la sua vita alla passione per il ciclismo. Resterà nei nostri cuori per sempre.

Desgraciadamente tenemos que dar una noticia que nos ha dejados todos pasmados. El sabato por la mañana, Lino Gastaldello, nuestro Presidente, fué víctima de un accidente cuando paseaba en bicicleta. Él fué atropellado por un coche en un cruce en San Zenone degli Ezzelini y falleció al hospital de Castelfranco Veneto.

Tenía 71 años.

La cosa màs triste no es la desparición de un gran empresario, es la pérdida de un hombre como Lino, sereno y respetable, UN GRAN AMIGO DE TODOS que deja un vacío inmenso en todos nosotros. Lo recordaremos para siempre en nuestros corazones.

Nous avons malheureusement à vous communiquer une nouvelle tragique, qui nous laisse tous sans voix. Notre Président Lino Gastaldello est décédé samedi 23 janvier, à la suite d’un incident de vélo. Il a été heurté par un véhicule alors qu’il effectuait sa traditionnelle balade sur sa « tant aimée » bicyclette. Les secours n’ont rien pu faire et quelques heures après l’incident, Lino Gastaldello nous a quitté. Il avait 71 ans seulement.

Nous garderons le souvenir d’une personne infatigable et passionnée par son travail, mais surtout celle d’un amoureux de vélo. Une personne fantastique, qui a dédié toute sa vie au cyclisme. Nous le garderons présent dans nos cœurs pour toujours.

Leider müssen wir Sie über ein tragisches Ereignis informieren. Am Samstag, den 23. Januar 2010 ist unser Geschäftsführer Lino Gastaldello bei seiner täglichen Rennradrunde das Opfer eines Unfalls geworden. Er wurde von einem Auto schwer angefahren und starb kurz darauf im Krankenhaus im Alter von 71 Jahren.

Er bleibt uns als unermüdlicher und begeisterter Vorgesetzter und Mitarbeiter in Erinnerung. Als leidenschaftlicher Verfechter des Amateur- und Profiradsports, widmete er sein ganzes Leben dem Radsport. Er wird immer in unseren Herzen bleiben.

Kate Major takes 3rd at Ironman Arizona - IMAZ

Kate Major writes on her web page, "Turned out to have a pretty solid day at Ford Ironman Arizona. Here's a few pics for now. A full report will follow..."

And she had the following to say about her new Cento1 Crono: "The Wilier Cento1 Crono is a machine built for comfort and speed. It responds well to whatever you want it to and is great on all terrain. As well as being stiff, it is responsive and absorbs all the vibration/road shock there is. I rode the last 5 miles or so [of the Ironman Arizona bike segment] with a slowly leaking front tyre and it still handled well!!!"

Find out more about Ironman Champion Kate Major at www.majorkate.com. Learn more about the 2010 Cento1 Crono at http://www.wilier-usa.com/#/road/cento1-crono/ .

Wilier Triestina 2010 Imperiale – Features Summary

Like worldwide authority and Wilier collaboration partner John Cobb likes to point out, making a bike aerodynamic is more than just ovalizing tubes or trying to integrate components: it’s all about managing airflow.
The Imperiale draws from our Crono TT series technology then benefits from our celebrated road geometry. The combination of the right tubing shapes and directional carbon fiber layup orientations made it possible to reduce frontal area, more effectively directing airflow while ensuring lateral rigidity. The reinforced construction at strategic points along the Imperiale’s tubing, fork and rear triangle have made it possible to attain optimal frame stiffness characteristics while reducing weight.
With the principles of wave form dynamics guiding many aspects of the Imperiale’s design, our award-winning Cento1 (Le Cycle’s 2009 Bike of the Year) influenced considerations that would contribute to ride quality, including an integrated seatmast, which for the Imperiale has an aerodynamic airfoil shape.
The Imperiale also boasts the same bottom bracket design concept as the Cento1: reinforced, oversize dimensions and fuller integration of prominent industry standard cranksets.
The seat stays are joined at the aerodynamic seat tube, directing airflow around and past the rear wheel maximizing stability and contributing to the bike’s distinctive look. Meanwhile, the outer form of the bottom bracket has been influenced by the latest findings in aerodynamics research: the Imperiale’s chain stays are joined to the underside of the bottom bracket, forming two additional airflow management “splitters”. The chain stays have also been contoured to manage the frame’s final interaction with air as they guide it past the spinning rear wheel.
The head tube is reinforced for strength and, along with the fork crown, is shaped to reduce drag; their combined profile forms a minimalist frontal area.
The unmistakably unique downtube boasts the same innovative air management qualities of our Crono series. Combined with aerodynamic seat and chainstays, the comprehensive design means drastically reduced drag and superior management of airflow.