Bikes of Two Volcano Sprint 2020

Adrien Liechti

Age: 35

Location: Geneva, Switzerland

Cap number: 15

Your bike: I’m riding the 2VS on my GRADE9 titanium road bike with a Shimano Ultegra groupset, Hunt Wheels, SON Dynamo hub, Exposure lights, Sinewave USB charger, Brooks C15 saddle.

Your key items of kit: I'll take my Patagonia nano puff jacket as usual for cold nights and power naps. I'm not going to take a sleeping system like in my last 3 races. For navigation I’ll use a Garmin eTrex 30 and a Garmin edge 1030.

Ana Orenz

Age: 39

Location: Cantabria, Spain

Cap number: 18

Your bike: 2017 Argon 18 Gallium, size xs, Dura Ace groupset with R8000 rear derailleur to allow a 34 tooth cassette, Dura Ace C24 wheels, Pirelli Velo tyres (will change to Schwalbe Durano DD for 2VS), SQLab 612 saddle, Stages power meter. Lovingly assembled by the bearded artisans of Independent Bike Works in Cirencester/UK.

Your key items of kit: Barnabe the Dinosaur, who watches my back at all times.

Bruno Ferraro

Age: 32

Location: Bassano del Grappa, Italy

Cap number: 42

Your bike: I’m riding my Wilier Triestina 101NDR with carbon wheels, disc brakes and Shimano 105 groupset.

Your key items of kit: My Pasol jersey which I consider lucky and Miss Grape bags set to carry all the necessary for the adventure. I will navigate with my trusted Garmin eTrex. I'm planning to bivvy anywhere possible in order to finish the race within three days.

Bryan Averre

Age: 43

Location: UK

Cap number: 14

Your bike: I will be riding my Cannondale Synapse fitted with dura ace groupset. I have A Hunt dynamo wheelset which will power supernova lights.

Your key items of kit: I use a random selection of bags from Apidura, Alpkit and Restrap. I like to carry food in the handle bar bag, clothing and tools in the frame bag, and sleeping bag and hygiene stuff in the seat pack.

Cristian Auriemma

Age: 46

Location: Campania, Italy

Cap number: 32

Your bike: I'll will ride on FARA Cycling model "all roads", is a new norwegian cycling brand, groupset etap Sram Force I chose a 46X33 head 10X33 back, disc brakes Sram Force, carbon wheels hight profile with 32 tubeless, areo 3T, my navigator gps is Wahoo element, I'll carry whit me 2 powerbank Ankor pretty heavy but I want my phone always charged for take photos and video. I'll use a Lupine Alpha light whit a battery just for it, with 2 tube bags and one big bag saddle back Apidura, my configuration bike will be pretty much heavy!

Your key items of kit: I'll be wearing SAS with also warm jacket for the night, plan to sleep some hours in hotels along the way, I'll carry my survival food "taralli" typical from south Italy (salt biscuits).

Gerco Beekhof

Age: 32

Location: Utrecht, The Netherlands

Cap number: 65a

Your bike: Optimum Orbis, Compact - shimano 105, front 50/34, back 11/34; Mavic wheels with 30mm tyres with tubes.

Your key items of kit: Base layer; Castelli speed suit Sanremo, because of the comfortable fit. On top a lot of layers depending on the cold and possible rain. Navigation: Garmin edge 830. All is packed in the Apidura bikepack (L), and apidura top pack. I have the possibility to pack 4 bidons of water. Front light Lezyne macro drive 1300XXL, back light Lezyne KTV pro Alert drive.

Additional info about Gerco: I am a PhD Student and a Rowing coach, last September my crew finished 0.23 behind the bronze medal (4th place) at the European Rowing Championships U23 in the Lightweight Women's Quadruple. Last year I have also coached Anouk (cap nr65b), she was not in the European's crew, but since Corona we have discovered our mutual love for long distance cycling. We are not in for the win, but want to finish, and if possible finish 2nd last instead of last. Follow her on instagram.

Jörg-Ingo Scheffel

Age: 48

Location: Munich, Germany

Cap number: 49

Your bike: riding a custom build MOOTS VAMOOTS SL titanium frame, equipped with a mechanical 11s CAMPAGNOLO SUPER RECORD with rim brakes and tube type tires (25mm front and a 28mm rear) on aluminum rims.

Your key items of kit: SON dynamo to supply the SUPERNOVA front light and USB CHARGER to load the GARMIN EDGE 1030. PETZL headlight and battery rear lights. In the APIDURA saddle pack there are clothes for rides in the dark, Bivvy for emergencies, rainwear that I have with me, but do not want to use it. APIDURA frame pack and top tube pack for jacket, powerbank, tools, food and accessories. To the start I bring the will to take a room if the weather or lack of motivation requires it. I‘m wearing my tried and tested Merino jersey, which will hopefully allow me to enter a bar even on the last day without having to believe that people close their noses in disgust behind their masks.

Manuel Truccolo

Age: 29

Location: Padova, Italy

Cap number: 37

Your bike: Canyon Endurace CF SL Disc 8.0 Di2 with Shimano Ultegra Di2 52/36-11/34 and Mavic Ksyrium Pro Carbon UST rims. I choose for 28mm tubeless tires and Fizik Aliante R5 saddle to give me as much as possible comfort.

Your key items of kit: For navigation I use a Garmin Etrex 30 and smartphone as backup. No sleeping bag because I want to sleep in hotels/B&B’s (only Sol emergency bivvy). Powerbank to charge front and rear lights. My Patagonia Down Sweater is the perfect warmth for just about everything. Keep it minimal, keep it light. I hope everything will fit into my Revelate Design bags.

Marina Sonzogni

Age: 44

Location: Native Italian living in Munich, Germany

Cap number: 50

Your bike: Canyon Endurace CF SLX ( 2018) with SRAM eTap gears and discbreaks, DT Swiss Wheels ( 28 Conti Grandprix 5000 tires) with SON Deluxe Dynamo Hub connected with Supernova front light and USB Werk.

Your key items of kit: I think I’m starting with a short/short kit, with merino base layer and merino windblock jersey. During the day should be still quite warm. I’ll take Leg & Arm wormers, Rainjacket and Long sleeve for the night. I’m taking an "Emergency" bivy bag with me, but I will try to sleep in hotels or ride through. I’ll store all the clothes in my Apidura Expedition saddle pack (9l) For the tools, spare parts ecc I’m using the apidura racing frame pack (3,5l) and top tube pack (1l). I navigate with my Wahoo Elemnt which is connected with the USB-Werk to the dynamo hub. (Happy that I don’t have to worry about the short days & long nights).

Markus Kroell

Age: 57

Location: Neustadt, Germany

Cap number: 12

Your bike: I'm riding my Cervélo R3 (2013) with a Shimano Ultegra 6700 10s Groupset. For Transpyrenees I've choosen a 12-32 Casette, Chainrings are 50/34. Tires are Continental GP5000S 622/25. Lights are connected to a SONdelux dynamo in the front hub and additional a set of battery powered Lights.

Your key items of kit: I'll wear a LaPassione PSN cycling kit and Giro Empire ACC Cycling Shoes. I'll take some smal and lightweight sleeping equipment, a bivvy bag and some bits of warm gear. I want to keep it as minimalistic as possible. For Navigation purposes I'll use my Garmin and in addition my Smartphone. All the clothing and sleeping gear are stowed in the Seat Pack. Tools, Pump, Food etc are stowed in the Frame Pack and Top Tube Pack. And of course there will be a Powerbank in my Frame Pack to feed the Phone, the Garmin and the Lights if necessary.

Matthieu Lifschitz

Age: 45

Location: Marseille, France

Cap number: 56

Your bike: I'm riding my 2019 made on mesure Victoire Cycles "Gaby" Handmade with Columbus Steel + Curve carbon fork. I have a Sram force 1 group set. a custom wheel set Mavic all road carbon rims + Son dynamo hub + Mavic MR801 rear hub + Teravail Rampart 700x42 Tubeless (just because "fat tires make me happy").

Your key items of kit: I have a full Helmut Equipement sport setup where I can have a proper sleeping system with bivy, sleeping bag, pillow and mattress. I usually try to never sleep in a hotel, just bivouac. If I can't do a 1100 km parcours with no sleep, I love to never cut the race and stay outside, Hotels, except for a "ravito", are only in case of no shelters in very bad weather or in case of illness. I especially love to have several little bags instead of one or two big. More useful, and easy to find something. I'll be wearing a full Café du Cycliste kit, especially with the Audax range which is dedicated for long distance ride and is great for it! Wahoo Roam for navigation and a iPhone 11 Pro as backup, camera and obviously sound system. My ultimate weapon is a range of playlists who mix discoid parts, some Stevie Wonder or Prince masterpieces with a bunch of golden age hip hop and a lot of other catchy curiosities as riding partner.

Max Riese

Age: 30

Location: Salzburg, Austria

Cap number: 45

Your bike: I’m riding a 2018 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 with a 2x Shimano Ultegra groupset. I’ll be running 28c Continental GP5000 Tires tubeless on Mavic Cosmic Carbon Pro Wheels. I am not running tri-bars as I can’t fit them.

Your key items of kit: I’m wearing my PEdAL ED Odyssey long distance kit pared with Tokaido thermal jacket plus rain gear. I will use my Quoc Night Mono Road shoes. I only carry an emergency bivvy and will rely on hotels in case I have to take a longer stop. This and food will take up my ORTLIEB frame bag. Spares are in the small saddle bag. In my Revelate Designs top tube bag will be all the electronics and a power bank charging my lights and Wahoo ELMNT Bolt. I might fit an additional Revelate Designs Food Pouch to the handlebar.

Pamela Cepparulo

Age: 39

Location: Vietri sul Mare, Italy

Cap number: 34

Your bike: GreenOpalia, handmade steel frame Forgione, with Shimano 105 groupset and Cantilever brakes.

Your key items of kit: saddle Packs, Frame packs, Handlebar packs, all Apidura, all waterproof, for any weather condition. Handmade wool jersey, specific Cyclingwear SL2 made for the event 2VS, Garmin GPS, supernova Lights.

Peter Batt

Age: 24

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

Cap number: 19

Your bike: Canyon Endurace CF 8.0 Disc. Ultegra Di2 Groupset with Absolute Black Sub-Compact 46/30 rings on the front and a 11-34 on the back to keep me spinning. 28mm Pro One TLEs sitting on 50mm rims from Farsports.

Your key items of kit: Apidura saddle/frame bag. Restrap top tube bag and a Moosetrek feed pouch. Supernova front light paired with a Moon-Nebula on the back, both powered with battery banks. Playing the role of Hansel & Gretel is an Element Bolt with the CAT S62 Pro reliably waiting in the wings - it's rugged, has a great battery life and is equipped with a FLIR thermal camera so I can see what's lurking out in the Aspromonte National Park after dark. The goal is to make it to Nicolosi before the party finishes!

Raphael Albrecht

Age: 31

Location: Berlin, Germany

Cap number: 63

Your bike: I’ll be racing on a brand-new Votec VRC. The bike is fitted with SRAM Force AXS and a 35/48t x 10-33t gearing. I upgraded with a Redshift dual-position seatpost, a saddle from SQlab, Profile Designs aero bars and Continental 4-Season tires.

Your key items of kit: Since I don’t plan to sleep too much I won’t carry any sleeping kit and rather focus on solid clothing. It will be a combination of Craft and Gore clothes. For navigation I will carry a Wahoo Element Bolt. A Zebralight headlamp will illuminate the roads at night.

Fanny Bensussan

Age: 35

Location: Paris, France

Cap number: 38

Your bike: Jolie Rouge Cycles / Columbus Life steel frame, Columbus Futura carbon fork, Shimano Ultegra, hydraulic brakes, White Industry 50/34 crankset, White Industry rear hub, Dynamo Son 28 front hub, DT Swiss RR421 rims, Sinewave front light, Thomson X2 stem, Thomson Masterpiece seatpost, Ergon ST ProWomen saddle, 3T Ultimate Performance Tbars.

Your key items of kit: Rapha & Gore kit, Fizik shoes, Alpkit dry bags, Helmut Equipment bags.

Ulrich Bartholmös

Age: 34

Location: Munich, Germany

Cap number: 16

Your bike: I´m riding on a OPEN U.P.P.E.R. – a custom build 2020 setup which I call “LA MACCHINA” with Lightweight Meilenstein EVO Rims powered by a Rotor 2inPower with 52/36 and 32-11 Shimano Dura Ace Groupset. All the stuff I need I carry in Apidura Race Series Kit. To light up the night I swear on Supernova Lights. Without luggage my bike has less than 7kg – helps me to love climbing the volcanos a lot 😊

Your key items of kit: The main aspect on my whole setup is to keep it light and simple! On the bike I consequently use only the lightest parts – but already proved in harsh conditions. I use a minimalistic and also super lightweight Apidura Kit for my luggage with clothes in the saddle bag, food and spareparts in the Top-Tube- and Framepacks. Most I love the new Apidura Musette which a carry on the seatpost – I use it a lot on the quick refuel-stops to grab as much food as I can 😊

India Landy

Age: 23

Location: Bexhill-on-Sea, UK

Cap number: 10

Your bike: GT Grade Carbon pro 2020. Switched out the stock wheels very last minute (in fact they haven't actually arrived in Italy yet!) to some Scribe Race-D's. Part of my left di2 shifter is broken, but have done a makeshift fix and hoping it'll hold through the race!

Your key items of kit: Gore-tex shakedry because rain has followed me absolutely everywhere recently! Only sleeping kit will be an eye mask and emergency blanket after my bivvy let me down during badlands. Also, my Karoo which I have used religiously for the last few years has suddenly packed in, so I will be using a garmin that James Hayden has really generously lent to me. (Thank you James!)

Robbie Britton

Age: 33

Location: Coggiola, Northern Italy

Cap number: 58

Your bike: Flanders Forte frameset with 2x Shimano GRX group-set with 48mm Orb Sparta carbon wheels and Continental GP5000 Tubeless tyres.

Your key items of kit: I’ve got some lovely Apidura race bags, with the main one being a 5l saddle pack. Then I’ll have one or two top tube bags, mainly for my phone, a power bank and as many packs of Mentos as I can fit in there, and a additional 1.5l downtime bag for some spares. My kit is mostly Odlo cycle clothing, with some additional bits like windproof leg warmers to make cycling though the night a bit more pleasant. I’ve got a Wahoo Element Bolt for navigation as I’d like to actually know which way I’m going this year and see if that helps me go a little quicker. I’ll have two one litre Precision Hydration bottles as I’m a thirsty bugger.

Derek Gamblin

Age: 54

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Cap number: 30

Your bike: I will be riding my Scott CR1 with Shimano 105 group set, with 700 x 28 tubeless Bontrager wheel set.

Your key items of kit: I will use Apidura, top tube, frame bag and saddle pack. Sleeping and Bivvy bag I will carry in the saddle pack, with additional clothing, tools and food in the top tube and frame bag. I will use a USB power bank to charge my lights, Wahoo Bolt and my phone.

Dominik Roels

Age: 33

Location: Cologne, Germany

Cap number: 51

Your bike: Red Bull Pro SL Aluminium (2006). Original groupset was Dura ACE 7800-only STIs remaining. Now Shimano mix with SRM-FSA Crankset. LEEZE carbon clinchers. Cinelly aerobars with selfmade wood bridges to hold the Wahoo Bolt (thanks H.W.) and other devices... Lights and bags are all pretty cheap, mostly second hand.

Your key items of kit: Hot legs and some sugar in the handlebar bag!

Clement Mahe

Age: 34

Location: Switzerland

Cap number: 67B

Your bike: I’m riding a Passoni titanium bike with Campagnolo Wheels and groupset. Full Italian. I have Rim brakes because I’m old school!! I’m using exposure lights, Apidura bags and Garmin GPS.

Your key items of kit: I will have the same jersey of my mate! Matchy-Matchy. Otherwise, I will try to be simple and light because we will have a bit of Climbing 😜 Otherwise, I will have some Snickers for my brain and emergency food.

Jordan Gueguen

Age: 27

Location: Cherbourg, France

Cap number: 67A

Your bike: I will be riding the 2VS on my Cube cross race 62 pro. Mechanical Ultegra groupset, and a pair of Fulcrum racing zero. Wearing a criterium Rapha kit which is reflective, and some more Rapha rain jacket, arms and leg warmers.

Your key items of kit: Exposure/lezyne will bring me lights and a powerbank for all the electronics.

Julien Gravaud

Age: 28

Location: Biarritz, France

Cap number: 60

Your bike: A MR4-S from 2-11 Cycles with a Shimano GRX 800 groupset powered by the dreamy Ewings crankset by Cane Creek. I'll be riding a Custom carbon wheelset with a SON dynamo hub feeding my Sinewave Beacon and other electronic devices.

Your key items of kit: I'll be wearing my Rapha explore cargo bib, filling up those wide pockets with sweet and salty italian treats. Also, I'll take my Patagonia down jacket, keeping me warm in descents and going through nights and cold mornings. These two already proved their value on last year's Lost Dot's inaugural Transpyrénées. For the navigation, I am sticking to my simple and reliable Wahoo ELEMNT, with maps also downloaded on my phone, just in case.

Thomas Chateau

Age: 44

Location: Paris, France

Cap number: 22

Your bike: I'm riding my 2014 GENESIS Croix de Fer, a Reynold 725 frame rebuilt with new Genesis CGR1 carbon fork, Shimano 105 R7000 with Praxis Alba X 48/32 crankset and Ultegra 11/34 cassette, Ultegra PD-A600 pedals, HAYES mechanical brakes with JAGWIRE pads, DEDA Parabolica, LIZARD SKIN 3.2mm bar tape, BROOKS Cambium C17 All Weather Carved, custom wheels (H+SON The Hydra rims, DT SWISS 350 rear hub with 32 Alpina spokes / SON 28 dynamo hub with 28 DT Swiss CX-Ray spokes), CHALLENGE Strada Bianca Pro 30mm tires with latex tubes, SON Edelux front light, B&M Secula rear light, GARMIN 1000 GPS.

Your key items of kit: HELMUT EQUIPEMENT Werewolf saddle bag for clothes (RAPHA merinos baselayer, BLACK YAK rainjacket, ENLIGHTENED EQUIPEMENT Apex jacket, DISSENT 133 gloves, ...) / MISS GRAPE frame bag for electronics, tools, money, small things / RAPHA x APIDURA front bag for full sleeping system - in a SEA TO SUMMIT dry bag - with OUTDOOR RESEARCH Helium Bivy, SEA TO SUMMIT ultralight mat, PAJAK Radical X sleeping bag / and a light string bag for fruits, bread, cheeses, coppa & mortadella (such a beautiful race doesn't deserve junk food)...

Nicky Shaw

Age: 30

Location: York, UK

Cap number: 20

Your bike: Rondo RUUT CF 2020. The first of many ultra adventures for this awesome bike. For 2VS we are dressed in Road Mode, with Continental GP5000 32mm Tyres along with a 38T Absolute Black front chainring for the many climbs. A Specialised Mimic is my saddle of choice.

Your key items of kit: A lightweight set up for speed and efficiency; no dynamo or sleep kit. My key pieces of kit include Exposure lights to guide me through the night, Rapha Insulated Gilet and a GoreTex Shakedry for when the heavens open. A Wahoo Bolt will tell me the way with an iPhone as backup, keeping everything charged using battery packs. Apidura will be keeping my kit dry with the race saddle pack and frame bag. I also have a top tube bag and feed back for easy access essentials and food.

Thomas Ceyrowsky

Age: 37

Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Cap number: 13

Your bike: My bike named Argos is a GT Grade AL(uminum) 105 from 2016. The 30-46 crank and the 11-34 cassette should come in handy on this punchy course. Tires are Continental’s GP 5000 (clinchers) on rock-solid DT Swiss RR521 wheels. In the front wheel there is a SON 28 dynamo hub, powering the B&M IQ-X front-, the SON backlight and the Sinewave Revolution charger.

Your key items of kit: My favourite pieces of kit are armwarmers combined with a rain jacket - keep me cosy when it gets chilly. I plan to sleep in hotels but carry a sleeping pad and a quilt – just in case... GPS is a borrowed Wahoo Elemnt Roam (thank you, Frederic :)).

Niel Copeland

Age: 45

Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Cap number: 13

Your bike: I'll be on my Moots Routt RSL with a custom DuraAce/XTR Di2 groupset, Rotor 1x power cranks, titanium stem and seatpost from Moots, Salt Carbon gravel wheels running some GP5000 tubeless tyres in a fatter is faster 32mm width. Gearing is all about the hills with a 38T front chainring and 11-42 rear cassette. This bike is designed to be fast, comfortable and beautiful and has been with me on all my races since 2018.

Your key items of kit: The Tailfin is the best packing solution I've found yet (and I've been through most of them much to the horror of my wife as yet another bikepacking bag gets delivered. The plan is to take a flexible approach to sleeping and with the October start I'm planning on some cold bivy's with a superlight Big Agnes Pluton sleeping bag and pad coupled with an MSR E-Bivy incase it rains. Further protection from the cold and rain with a Big Agnes insulated gilet and a Gore Shake-Dry waterproof. Lighting by Exposure with a Diablo and spare battery cell. Navigation by Garmin, again with a spare battery cell. Then a 20,000mAh USB C PD powerbank that recharges in 3 hours should see me through a couple of days without needing a wall socket.

Lukas Neubeck

Age: 44

Location: Munich, Germany

Cap number: 43

Your bike: Rose X-Lite Sram Etap Disc, I choose Chainrings 48/33 and cassette 11/32 ,Dt Swiss Wheels 28 mm Continental 5000 tyres, Lupine Piko und Back Lights, Wahoo Element Roam (I Phone as Backup), Tune Saddle.

Your key items of kit: For lower temperatures I like the Castelli Ros convertible jacket, for rainy moments the castelli idro jacket, Assos Base Layer and shorts, mixture of Restrap, Relevate, Apidura Bags where I put also a bivy, mattress, sleeping bag and a down jacket (I don’t like to freeze); I will hopefully find the right places to sleep outside.

Omar di Felice

Age: 39

Location: Italy

Cap number: 39

Your bike: Wilier Triestina ZERO SLR equipped with Shimano Dura Ace di2 groupset, Mavic Ksyrium pro carbon Wheelset, Selle San Marco aspide supercomfort saddle, 52/36 and 11-30 gears, Powermeter to check power and calibrate my pace speed, Light bike to reach the best performance in a so mountain route, Tubeless tires to prevent punctures, Naked weight: 7 kg, I hope less than 10 with all buggages

Your key items of kit: Miss grape road series bikepacking bags, Garmin Edge 1030 Plus navigation system, Cateye lights