Features Road One-off Italian machines for Paris-Roubaix By James Huang in Compiègne, France published 11 April 2008 Italian Lampre rider Alessandro Ballan has only been a professional since 2004 but it didn't take... Image 1 of 34The seat stay assembly was clearly borrowedThe fork crown is also equippedThis looks like a careless mistake, butLike most of the riders in Sunday's pelotonVittoria provides Ballan with 27mm-wide tubularsThere are no fancy 'wheel systems' to be found hereNot even alloy nipples make the cut here.Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) is set to race Paris-Roubaix with a special machine created just for the cobbles.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan has only been a professional since 2004 but is already a favorite to win.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan's frame bears no model designation and its construction is indeed unique from any frame in Wilier Triestina's catalog.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The rear wishbone includes a novel see-through section.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The increased rear tire clearance requires the use of a long-reach Shimano brake caliper.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The seat stay assembly was clearly borrowed from a 'cross bike, but turned around and fitted with an eyelet to mount the rear brake caliper.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The fork crown is also equipped with a bit of extra clearance.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)This looks like a careless mistake, but the one-off dropouts are actually fitted with a bit of extra material to provide more tire clearance at the crown without resorting to new fork blades.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Like most of the riders in Sunday's peloton, Ballan will run with double-wrapped tape.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Vittoria provides Ballan with 27mm-wide tubulars specially made to handle the cobbles.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)There are no fancy 'wheel systems' to be found here ; just good old-fashioned 32-hole hand-built wheels with box-section aluminum tubular rims.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Not even alloy nipples make the cut here. These wheels are laced with more reliable brass nipples.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A little bit of insurance goes a long way as a dropped chain can mean the difference between glory and regret.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan's bike is otherwise fairly standard fare, including the team-only 'red' edition of Campagnolo's Record Ergopower levers.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan's bike is also equipped with his usual Campagnolo Record Ultra-Torque crankset…(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)…although here a 46T inner ring replaces the usual 39T or 42T.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan is surprisingly tall at 1.9m and thus runs 175mm-long crankarms.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)A Chorus front derailleur is used here instead of Record.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan foregoes carbon in favor of aluminum for his Paris-Roubaix seatpost.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The usual Look KeO Carbon pedals will help Ballan power along the pavé.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Garmin GPS computers are suddenly everywhere in the pro peloton, presumably to help remind the riders of important upcoming sections.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)And yes, the Garmin Edge can even be configured to display in Italian!(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Ballan's spare bike differs in construction but is presumably similar in fit and handling.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The spare bike is also equipped with an alloy Record crank instead of the new carbon iteration.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)The spare bike's front derailleur includes a custom chain watcher.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)You can never have too many spare wheels when it comes to Paris-Roubaix.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Some Lampre riders, such as Massimiliano Mori, will tackle Paris-Roubaix on steel bikes.(Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)Pro bikes, April 12, 2008Alessandro Ballan's Lampre Wilier Triestina Paris-Roubaix SpecialGet The Leadout NewsletterThe latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*Join now for unlimited accessEnjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 Join now Already have an account ? 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