Bianchi may not be as well represented on the cusp of the World Tour as others in recent years, but it is still one of the most recognizable brands in road cycling. The distinctive cheleste color has thrilled people since the days of thin steel tubing, but the days of thin tubing are now a thing of the past. With the new Oltre RC, Bianchi is about to break through the superbike ceiling and enter the world of hyperbikes.

With air ducts, a non-standard handlebar and stem combination up front, and a buildup designed to work seamlessly together, it is a definite departure from the clean lines of the past, at least visually. I would add it to the list of best aero road bikes.

One only has to look at the world of Formula One to see a motorsport that has gradually transformed from smooth, clean lines to what it is today: a machine with more scoops than an ice cream store and more fins than an Australian beach. Given the maniacal obsession with aerodynamics at the cutting edge of road cycling, it is no great surprise to see brands developing such radical-looking airflow sculptures. The "air deflectors," or ducts on the head tube, channel air smoothly over the front edge of the bike and expel it into a low-pressure zone created at the rear of the tube, allowing air to be more easily separated and reducing aerodynamic drag.

This is also complemented by the new aero cockpit. The bar and stem combination is reminiscent of that found on the Cervelo S5, but with a more organic look that, combined with the air deflectors, makes it look like a Star Trek starship. The purpose of the central hole and the entire bar is to further reduce aerodynamic drag by creating a low-pressure vortex that the rider's legs can easily punch through.

Thanks to these new features and the build kit we will discuss, the rider can finish the ride 45 seconds faster than the old Oltre XR4 at 17 watts at 50 km/h and 250 watts at 40 km/h. It also claims a 30% advantage over the best aerobike on the market in variable wind conditions, but I'd like to see some numbers to back that up before I bet on this.

Previously, the Oltre has opted for Vision aftermarket wheels, while other components have been a mix of in-house Reparto Corse and other brands. For the new Bianchi Oltre, especially the RC and Pro models, the brand is sticking to in-house production whenever possible, with new Reparto Corse 50/65mm tubeless ready Aero wheels, an RC 3D printed saddle, and an RC seat post to complement the new RC cockpit.

The RC full model is available in three color options and six sizes, with prices starting at €13,800 (about $11,200 or $13,500) depending on groupset options.

For those who don't have that much money at their disposal, there are also two models, the Oltre Pro and the Oltre; the Pro has the same air deflectors and vibration damping built into the frame, but ditches the 3D printed saddle for a standard carbon one and adds top-end wheels in Reparto Course 50/50mm second tire; the Pro is a similar three-color set (all black, with various accent colors) but is modestly priced at €8,000 (about £7,000, $7,900).

The baseline Oltre model omits the air deflector to appeal to a broader audience, and consists of Veloman components and wheels, with prices starting at 5,400 euros (about $4,700 or $5,300). Celeste fans will at least be pleased to know that the model is also available in white and dark gray, in addition to the trademark green.