TAYLOR PHINNEY RETURNS TO RACING

What seemed like just another Friday posting random web items took a quick turn when a press release touting the partnership between iconic American champion and former WorldTour star Taylor Phinney with the iconic Italian brand Cinelli for a Spanish adventure race arrived. Wow, didn’t see that one coming!

TAYLOR PHINNEY TEAMS WITH CINELLI

Press Release

Cinelli is proud to announce its support of iconic American ex-professional Taylor Phinney’s participation in the 2022 edition of Badlands, the unsupported ultra-cycling gravel race that departs from Granada this Sunday 4th September.

For the race Taylor Phinney will be debuting a prototype of the 2023 Nemo Gravel, the company’s flagship Made in Italy steel bicycle. In addition to new technical features such as an integrated suspension fork and proprietary chainstay yoke plate, the bicycle is characterized by a fully-custom geometry developed in conjunction with Phinney reflecting the shifted ambition of his return to “racing” (i.e. it’s not about winning, it’s not even about competing!).

The idea behind the geometry lies in an evolution of Phinney’s cycling philosophy, characterized by a more relaxed open-shouldered position and the influence of late-80s early-90s mountain bike design.

Phinney will be joined by three other Cinelli-sponsored athletes participating in the race using the brand’s equipment: Luisa Werner (Italy Divide and Three Peaks winner), Sophie Jail (French nomad and adventuress) and Davide Belfiore (Cinelli trade marketing manager).

Whilst these four athletes will interpret Badlands in their own way, according to their personal goals, they all share a common interest in exploring cycling outside the realm of competition, focusing on self-discovery, adventure and togetherness.

Taylor’s Bike Specs:

Hiride suspended fork with 20mm travel
Cable routing in the down tube
Improved clearance up to 700 x 47mm (27.5 x 2.1)
27,5 Fulcrum Rapid Red 3 wheels
Cinturato Pirelli Gravel M (650B x 50) tyres
BCA disc brakes (160)
Mechanical TPR brakes
Mechanical SRAM Eagle cx 12ss (with a 10-52 tooth cassette and FSA Gossamer 40T crankset
Special flat handlebar.
Brooks Cambium saddle
T47 bottom bracket
Factory color: Copper (matte finish with white decals).

For more: Cinelli

THE TAYLOR PHINNEY OF OLD

 

 

 

 

Photos: Bettini