Until the 13th stage, Alejandro Valverde was considered one of Vicenzo Nibali's toughest rivals in the battle for the yellow jersey. The experienced Spaniard is having a strong Tour, but Nibali has no weaknesses so far this year and has torn an even bigger gap in the overall classification in the Alps.
Valverde's Movistar racing team is supplied with frames by the German manufacturer Canyon. The brand has been an international name ever since it entered the professional peloton, and the Koblenz-based manufacturer has been fully represented in the ProTour for eight years. Riders and mechanics say they are also satisfied, and the Ultimate CF SLX has already scooped up a number of test wins in Tour tests. The lightweight frameset is well suited to climbing specialists; aerodynamics were less of a focus during development. Alternatively, the team riders also use Aeroad CF frames, which are mainly used on the flat stages. The bike is expensively and cleanly equipped with components and wheels from the Italian manufacturer Campagnolo, with the team captain riding an electric Super Record EPS groupset, the traditional company's top-of-the-range ensemble. The wear parts chain and cassette come from the slightly cheaper Record groupset, handlebars and stem are made of aluminium and also help to keep the weight above 6.8 kilos. The Movistar wheels are also one of the more harmonious looks in the peloton: the lettering on the Campagnolo Bora Ultra Two wheels is in matching Movistar green, while the thick handlebar tape from Lizard Skins is dark blue.
The riding position of the Ultimate with standard components is comparatively upright compared to other road bikes in the peloton. Valverde counteracts this with a low frame height, plenty of seatpost extension and a steeply sloping stem, which is probably a special design for the pros due to the rare clamping dimension - the steerer tube has a diameter of 1-1/4 inches instead of the usual 1-1/8 inches. In contrast to the standard models, the pro canyons have a very flat headset from Acros, also from Germany, which is clamped with a classic expander. The lightweight Acros Ai headset of the standard bike is also high and the clamping with special tools is poorly suited for use in racing teams. The 22 millimetre narrow tyres are handmade in Germany by Continental. Two other German companies have also contributed to the construction of Valverde's bike: since this year, Movistar has been riding with power meters from the Saxon company Power2max on the Campagnolo cranks, while the computer comes from O-Synce. Pictures of the bike and further details can be found in our gallery and the equipment list:
Frame: Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
Wheels: Campagnolo Bora Ultra 2 with ceramic ball bearings
Tyres: Continental Competition Pro Ltd. 22 (tubular tyre)
Brakes: Campagnolo Super Record
Gear system: Campagnolo Super Record EPS
Sprocket: Campagnolo Record
Chain: Campagnolo Record
Bottom bracket: Campagnolo Super Record with power meter from Power2Max
Pedals: Look Kéo Blade 2 Ti
Handlebars: Canyon (aluminium)
Stem: Canyon
Handlebar tape: Lizard Skins
Saddle: Fizik Antares
Seatpost: Canyon VCLS (carbon)
Bottle cage: Elite Cannibal
Computer: O-Synce Navi2Coach
