Training camp is always like a late Christmas for the riders, with so many new toys one can barely be contained. Being around the new equipment and all the excitement of starting a new season takes me back to when I was one of the riders at training camp. It feels a little odd for my equipment to now be a camera, tape recorder and laptop instead of a bike, helmet, and shoes. I guess I’ll just have to embrace change, and in that case I'll have that second pasticcino and glass of vino.

Liquigas-Cannondale will be back on the same frameset they won two Grand Tours on last season. The Super Six's racing geometry has been perfected from years of feedback and R&D from some of the top teams in the sport, such as; Saeco, Barloworld, and Liquigas. While the frameset doesn’t see any changes from the 2010 model the rest of the bike has a major shift in components. Gone are the iconic Campagnolo branded components and in comes American manufacturer SRAM.  It’s interesting to see Italy’s only Pro Tour team switch from the Italian component maker to SRAM but it would seem to make sense due to the fact Cannondale spec’s a large number of their bikes with SRAM components.

Liquigas-Cannondale Super Six frames waiting to be adorned with the team's sponsored goodies. 

SRAM Red chainrings are mounted to Cannondale's Hollowgram crank which includes an SRM powermeter. The SRAM Red front derailleur has a steel cage rather than the stock titanium one to ensure crisp, fast shifting. Speedplay Zero pedals are custom colored for the team. 

Cannondale introduced the BB30 to the bike world 11 years ago and although it took a while for the industry to realize the benefits of the large diameter spindle with bearings that are pressed into the frame, it's now becoming accepted as the industries bottom bracket standard.

The addition of SRAM components to the Liquigas-Cannondale Super Six is the biggest change to and has been well received by the riders. SRAM Red levers mount to any FSA handlebar of the riders choice while Fizik wraps things up.

Mavic is back as a wheel provider but also adds their tires to Liquigas-Cannondale's weaponry. The durability of the Ksyrium SL make it the perfect training wheel coupled with the Yksion clincher tire. For racing, the team has the full Mavic wheel line at their disposal. One of the most popular wheels will be the sub-1200 gram Cosmic Carbone Ultimate's with Mavic tubular tires. 

Like the FSA handlebars, riders have their choice of Fizik saddles. The Aliante and Arione seemed to be the two models most popular with the riders. 

Look for a breakdown of the Liquigas-Cannondale Team Slice time trial bike coming soon.