Following in the footsteps of Red Bull Advanced Technologies and BMC, which unveiled its new Speedmachine time trial bike, and Colnago, which unveiled its wild prototype TT1, Willier has entered the best competition for time trial bikes announced this week.

Just in time for the Giro d'Italia, where the second stage consists of a 9.2km individual time trial, Willier has announced the prototype time trial bike that Vincenzo Nibali and his Astana Cazacstan teammates will race this weekend, the Turbine SLR.

Compared to the aforementioned BMC and Colnago, the Willières is a bit more modest and unassuming, but many things have changed from the brand's previous Turbine time trial bikes.

The seat tube is perhaps the most changed aspect, with a much cleaner look. It used to hug the rear tire with millimeters to spare, but now it is not as deep as the brand's lightweight road race bike, the ZERO SLR. Another similarity to the ZERO SLR can be seen at the top of this seat tube, with the addition of a square of material that houses the seat post clamp.

Turbine's fork uses a bayonet attachment that places the steerer tube on the outside of the frame. This creates a deeper profile by allowing it to flow with the head tube of the frame, thus circumventing the UCI rules on maximum tube dimensions. This is a tactic also used on Cervelo's S5 road bike and the aforementioned Colnago TT1.

One novel piece of equipment that caught our eye was the cover added to the rear derailleur. This appears to be an aerodynamic fairing to smooth the air around the derailleur cage. Willières does not mention this component in the release, and all other images provided show either a standard Dura-Ace derailleur cage or an aftermarket Ceramic Speed OSPW. It is unconfirmed whether this component will be used on the Astana Kazakstan at the Giro d'Italia, but its UCI legality will undoubtedly be in question.

Nonetheless, this is an interesting one, and an interesting one that could further the pursuit of watt savings for time triallists racing outside of UCI sanctioned events.

According to Willières, the new bike was developed with engineers and riders from the Astana Kazakstan team and is faster "on roads with hills and continuous changes of direction." According to the brand, this is thanks to a frame weight reduction of 300 grams.

Other improvements include concessions to the latest groupset. Since Dura-Ace and SRAM have gone wireless between shifter and derailleur (and Campagnolo is rumored to be following suit), the down tube of the new Turbine SLR omits holes for cable entry and junction box. Despite this, the bike is compatible with wired groupset, here with an 11-speed Dura-Ace R9170 groupset. It also appears to be compatible with disc brakes only.

Complementing the bike is a new set of custom molded time trial extensions, also from Wilier. These are made specifically for team riders, unlike the aftermarket systems of speed bars and aero coaches.

The bikes are currently considered prototypes, and no information on pricing or availability has been provided.