Photos: Hunter Kemper’s Orbea Orca

ITU triathletes keep their strategy simple in transition, making for lighting fast splits.

Kemper has his shoes already clipped into the pedals, with rubber bands on the drive-side shoe allowing him to slide the shoes right on as he gets his bike segment underway.

Shimano’s top-tier electronic Dura Ace Di2 rear derailleur takes care of the shifting duties in the back.

An electronic front derailleur requires no effort at all to shift, making those crucial changes between the front chain rings a breeze.

Kemper takes no chances with his equipment, as indicated by the K-Edge chain watcher, virtually preventing dropped chains.

Standard 53-39 tooth gearing on a Dura Ace 7900 crank-set is the order of the day for fast-paced ITU racing.

Continental Competition tubular tires adorn Shimano C-35 carbon wheels, with a special compound brake pad that ensures stopping power is up to Kemper’s standard.

Even Olympians need to refuel. Kemper tapes a PowerGel to his stem for easy access, and easy opening.

Kemper’s Orbea Orca is equipped with Profile Design Sonic CSX aero bars set up in shortened ‘jammer’ style for ITU racing.

Fizik Tecnogel pads provide just the right amount of cushioning without being bulky.

An ultra-light Giro Aeon helmet is strategically placed and ready for Kemper’s arrival in transition.

Shimano’s Dura Ace Di2 lever hood is very slim, providing an extremely comfortable hand position with excellent access to both shifting and braking.

The timing chip just above the dropouts provides real-time bike split data while athletes are on course, allowing fans around the world to follow along with races online.

The cadence magnet present on the crank arm is mysterious only because of the absence of a cycling computer. Kemper has chosen a 175mm crank arm to match his long leg length.

The junction box for the Di2 shifting system is responsible for sending shifting signals from the shifters to the front and rear derailleur. It has been neatly attached to Kemper’s rear brake cable housing, a location that would even give access for emergency adjustment mid-race.

A light-weight bike is a help in top-level racing, and carbon is used generously on Kemper’s Orbea. Frame, fork steerer, and spacers are all carbon, while the stem itself is a 3T ARX-Team in aluminum with titanium bolts.

A light-weight bike is a help in top-level racing, and carbon is used generously on Kemper’s Orbea. Frame, fork steerer, and spacers are all carbon, while the stem itself is a 3T ARX-Team in aluminum with titanium bolts.

Use of a Dura Ace 7900 crank on the BB30 Orbea Orca requires use of an adapter to reduce the effective diameter of the bottom bracket opening.

Lightweight racing flats using Yankz elastic laces are ready for Hunter Kemper’s return from the bike portion of the San Diego ITU World Triathlon Series race.

A sprinkle of baby powder inside the cycling shoe helps to absorb some of the water still present after having made a quick exit from the bay.

An oversize wishbone seat-stay and unique tube shapes help to stiffen Kemper’s Orbea Orca and ensure his power ends up at the rear wheel, right where he wants it.

Even the cable housing is sponsor correct, as indicated by the use of Dura Ace housing routed to the front brake caliper.