Launched originally in 2008, the SuperSix has always been considered a standout endurance racer, historically pegged as an ultimate do-it-all racer. Education First’s setup shows how well the bike can be put to the demands of modern racing.
Cannondale has boasted massive aerodynamic improvements for the SuperSix. In its wind tunnel testing, Cannondale claimed a saving of nine watts at 48.3kmh (30mph) over the Specialized Tarmac, and more than 40 watts saved over Trek’s Emonda.
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For long turns on the front of the peloton for domestiques or fast paced descents by GC contenders like Rigoberto Uran, that could prove a significant advantage.
The use of deep section wheels will help that all out speed, and the entire team will be using Vision Metron wheels, as specced with the commercially available bike. Major climbing contenders in the team have opted for shallow section Metron wheels in the mountains, though.
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The team has gone for wide 26mm Vittoria Corsa tubular tyres, which have proven a favourite in the peloton this year.
Interestingly, the team is continuing to use rim brakes, where many of the major teams are now siding for disc brakes, even major climbers such as Simon Yates.
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EF are using wider clearance and more powerful direct-mount Shimano Dura-Ace brake, which with a 10mm lower profile than a traditional single-mount brake offers slightly better aerodynamics.
For a domestique like Alberto Bettiol, it looks as though fast flat pace is an objective - aided by the rather sizeable 55-42 FSA chainset providing a massive 132 gear inches.
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That chainset has an integrated Power2Max power meter, which is provided at the point of purchase to buyers of the top tier SuperSix Evo, but raised some controversy as Cannondale charge €490 to activate it.
Bettiol has also opted for a long negative angle 120mm FSA stem, and a Garmin 820 head unit, which will offer Garmin’s highly detailed Cycling Dynamics data on top of traditional power metrics from the Power2Max power unit.
