Cannondale Synapse was the frame of choice for many of the riders of Team Liquigas at last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, including Filippo Pozzato and eventual podium-finisher, Luca Paolini.
The frame offers a number of features which make it well suited for the cobbled classics, the most physically demanding races of the calendar, both for the riders and their equipment.
High modulus carbon unibody construction results in a strong and lightweight frame while the optimized tube shapes of the S.A.V.E. chainstays and fork blades, and Triaxial Hourglass seatstays provide the vibration reduction that is crucial for these demanding races.
S.A.V.E. (Synapse Active Vibration Elimination) is a Cannondale-exclusive technology. The carbon fiber chainstays and fork blades have been strategically molded into a unique, tapered shape. When combined with varying wall thicknesses, fiber layers and fiber angles, it creates enough flex to dampen road vibration.
In addition, when compared to the System Six that Team Liquigas has powered to victory many times this season, the Synapse has a 5mm longer wheelbase which aids in tracking over the cobbled roads.
Team Liquigas riders Manuel Quinziato and Roberto Petito have chosen the Synapse as their primary race bike for the 2007 season.
Their feedback was positive and resulted in the team’s choosing the Synapse for their Northern Classics campaign. Petito states: “For longer races and the cobbles, it’s perfect. The Synapse is comfortable, but still very competitive.”
Quinziato, who was seen on the attack charging up the Cipressa at Milan-San Remo, echoes his teammate’s sentiment: “The Synapse really impresses with its comfort and light weight, and the integrated crank keeps it responsive under power.”
Paolini crashed mid-race on Sunday, damaging his derailleur and forcing a change of bikes back to his System Six, which he then piloted to a fine third-place finish.
Pozzato was in the front group as well, and even put in a strong attack with just 12 km to go, but was pulled back just as the main group shattered into pieces, leaving Paolini to bridge up to the remnants of the chasers and outsprint them for the final podium spot.
In last Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix, Team Liquigas riders had two hyper-competitive products to choose from, the System Six and the all-carbon Synapse, as they sought to win the toughest race on the calendar. Here at VeloVeritas we don’t think we’ve seen the last of these boys!
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