The BMC Racing Team rider and former World Champion cyclist Philippe Gilbert has signed a two-year deal with the Italian saddle and shoe manufacturer fi’zi:k. As part of the deal, Gilbert will take on the 2015 pro cycling season wearing the new fi’zi:k R3B shoes.
Joining Gilbert on a two-year deal are four more BMC Racing Team riders who are now wearing the brand new fi’zi:k R3B: Rohan Dennis who’s been using fi’zi:k since last year and rode the R1 to the Gold TTT, together with the Italian trio Alessandro De Marchi, Daniel Oss and Damiano Caruso.
The full fi’zi:k shoes pro riders roster will be released later this month.
“I have really enjoyed working with fi’zi:k over the last years,” said Gilbert. “Together we developed the Volta saddle, a really innovative product that has, of course, become my favourite seat ever – so when they showed me the new R3B shoes I decided to give them a try.”
He continued, “I loved the shoes from the very first ride. I felt that my feet were perfectly supported by the upper, the really stiff outsole allowing me to transmit my power properly on the pedals both while pushing on the seat or when sprinting out of the saddle.
“The overall comfort is great and what amazed me is the fact that what I tried – and what I’m still using – are the standard shoes. You know, often pro riders receive special service from the companies who supply their equipment, but I’m really happy using off-the-shelf shoes.
“Lastly I enjoyed the new closure system, I can easily tune the fitting to suit where we are in the race: more aggressive when we are pushing hard, more relaxed when we are pedalling in the bunch,” said the Belgian Gilbert, who is one of only two riders to have won all three Ardennes Classics in a single season.
“We respect Philippe massively, as a champion and a racer,” said fi’zi:k’s Racing Manager Nicolò Ildos. “Furthermore as a racing brand we love the way he approaches competition; his aggressive style. But we also value him for his feedback and technical input, and his willingness to help the team at fi’zi:k in any way he can. It’s always nice to stop by with him for a talk at the training camps or at a race.”
fi’zi:k notes that the latest Boa IP1 closure system makes the fi’zi:k R3B shoes that Gilbert uses lighter, faster and more comfortable. Laser perforated Microtex uppers ‘translate seamless security into pressure-free power transfer for fatigue-free speed on the road.’
Custom unidirectional carbon soles mean every precious watt goes straight into the pedals. Sculpted footbeds and a supportive heel-forming keep feet securely cradled without any hot spots or crush zones.
