UniSA-Australia is an Australian cycling team sponsored by the University of South Australia. The team presented at the Tour Down Under is assembled anew for each edition of the race and is composite in nature. The composite squad has featured many riders over the years who have graduated into the professional ranks; names like Rohan Dennis, Jack Bobridge (we featured his bike earlier), Richie Porte (featuring his bike soon) and Caleb Ewan have made the leap.
The Avanti Corsa SL pictured above belongs to Anthony Giacoppo, ordinarily a member of the Avanti IsoWhey Sports team. Three of Anthony’s teammates joined him at the UniSA-Australia composite team for the 2016 Tour Down Under. Founded in 1985 in New Zealand, Avanti Bikes distribute to the Australian, Asian and European markets. With over 100 different models catering to all areas of the cycling market, it is only natural the brand produces high end road racing bicycles and framesets. The Corsa SL is the company’s flagship race machine, featuring Avanti’s ADT R6 carbon frame construction. Read more about Anthony’s Avanti Corsa SL, a bike unavailable to the North American market…
The Avanti IsoWhey Sports Team is an Australian UCI Continental cycling team with a focus on road racing. They may not be well known on the world stage, but they are supported by world-class sponsors. Like many of the WorldTour teams faced by the UniSA-Australia composite squad at the 2016 Tour Down Under, Shimano supplies their top-tier road groupset, the all-electric 11-speed Dura-Ace Di2.
The 9000 series Dura-Ace cranksets of the Avanti Corsa SL team bikes are fitted with Pioneer’s power measurement system, another sponsor associated with WorldTour level teams. Chainrings on the crankset are 53 / 39 matched to 11-25 or 11-28 on the cassette. While the Tour Down Under has some tough climbs, there is nothing steep enough to warrant seriously low gears.
Shimano’s sponsorship extends to wheelsets for the team, with the C50 tubular model being the common denominator among the four members from Avanti IsoWhey Sports.
Anthony’s C50 wheels are fitted with Kenda’s Volare tubular tire, an uncommon sight at this level of racing. The hand-made 300 tpi casing features Kenda’s Iron Cloak protection belt under the tread, and a latex inner tube for low weight and rolling resistance.
The cockpit of Anthony’s bike features Shimano’s Vibe Pro stem, and Zero brand Attack Pro aluminum handlebars.
Anthony is another rider who favors Shimano’s auxiliary Di2 sprint shifters.
Keeping with the theme of simplicity and accessibility, mechanics hang the Di2 Junction A box beneath the stem, with heat shrink tubing to guide the wiring along the rear brake housing until it enters the frame.
The Avanti Corsa SL isn’t marketed an aero bike, but it does utilize the wind-cheating properties of a Dura-Ace rear brake mounted below and behind the bottom bracket.
A standard Dura-Ace dual pivot brake caliper provides stopping power on the front.
Anthony’s carbon-rail Fizik Arione saddle sits atop Avanti’s setback carbon seatpost.
The UniSA-Australia team was among the most aggressive of all teams at the 2016 Tour Down Under, represented in just about every breakaway during the race. While the team didn’t make good on a stage win for 2016, it is probable several of their riders will go onto bigger and better things in the future.
With UniSA-Australia being a composite team, they were represented by at least two frame brands at the 2016 Tour Down Under. Coming in a future article is the bike of Steele Von Hoff, another member of UniSA’s composite team. Watch this space!
Photos and article by Gravel Cyclist.
Jayson O’Mahoney is the Gravel Cyclist: A website about the Gravel Cycling Experience.
