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."

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.