Bianchi Asset MegaPro Team Martini
1998
Bike History
The Grand Father of the collection, a 1971 Colnago Super, Merckx Molteni bike is a classic piece of cycling history, renowned for its sleek lines and racing pedigree. Sporting the iconic orange Molteni team colors, it mirrors the bike used by the legendary Eddy Merckx during his domination of the professional cycling world. The Colnago Super’s lightweight steel frame, elegant chrome accents, and period-correct Campagnolo components showcase both craftsmanship and performance from an era that defined competitive road cycling. It’s a true collector’s item, blending vintage aesthetics with the legacy of one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
The Colnago Super, acquired in 2022 from Slovenia, now holds a place of honor in the bike cave in Sydney, Australia, showcasing its historical significance and timeless craftsmanship.
Ernesto Colnago
Ernesto Colnago is one of the most influential figures in the history of cycling and bicycle manufacturing, renowned for founding the Colnago brand, a name synonymous with high-performance racing bicycles. Born on February 9, 1932, in Cambiago, Italy, Ernesto Colnago’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming a global icon in the cycling world is a testament to his passion, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Early Life & Start in Cycling
Ernesto Colnago grew up in a small Italian village and, like many young Italians, was drawn to the world of cycling. His initial love for cycling began as a teenager, where he first raced competitively. However, an injury at age 13 led him to shift his focus from competing on the bike to working with bikes. At just 13 years old, he started an apprenticeship at a local bicycle factory, learning the fundamentals of bike mechanics and engineering. This laid the foundation for his lifelong career in the cycling industry.
The Birth of Colnago
In 1954, at the age of 22, Ernesto founded Colnago in his hometown of Cambiago. Starting as a small workshop, Colnago initially repaired bicycles and later began producing custom-made racing frames. He quickly earned a reputation for precision and attention to detail, producing lightweight and durable bikes. His breakthrough came when he became a mechanic for the Nivea-Fuchs professional cycling team in the 1950s, establishing relationships that would elevate his brand on the international stage.
Innovation and the Pro Peloton
Colnago’s rise to prominence was fueled by partnerships with some of cycling’s greatest athletes and teams. One of the most significant relationships was with the legendary Eddy Merckx, a five-time Tour de France champion. In 1972, Colnago built the bike Merckx used to break the hour record, marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s history.
Ernesto’s commitment to innovation was evident through his pioneering work with materials, such as carbon fiber, a revolutionary move that transformed bike manufacturing. He was one of the first to experiment with carbon fiber frames, collaborating with Ferrari in the 1980s to develop lightweight yet incredibly strong bicycles. This collaboration resulted in the Colnago C40, which became one of the most iconic bikes in racing history, achieving multiple victories at Paris-Roubaix.
Legacy & Colnago Brand
Under Ernesto’s leadership, Colnago became a brand recognized for its blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology. From hand-brazed steel frames to carbon fiber masterpieces, Colnago bikes have set the standard for innovation and design in cycling. The brand’s distinctive logo, featuring a cloverleaf, symbolizes luck and success, while its bicycles are synonymous with Italian craftsmanship and quality.
Molteni
The Molteni relationship with Colnago and Eddy Merckx is a legendary partnership in the history of cycling, particularly during the 1970s. Molteni, an Italian salami company, sponsored one of the most dominant cycling teams from 1958 to 1976, and their partnership with Eddy Merckx marked the golden era of professional cycling.
Molteni and Eddy Merckx
Eddy Merckx joined Molteni in 1971, after his tenure with Faema, and it was during his time with Molteni that he achieved some of his greatest victories. The orange and black Molteni jersey became synonymous with Merckx’s dominance in cycling, and he rode for the team until the end of his career in 1976.
Molteni and Colnago
The partnership between Molteni and Colnago started when Merckx brought Ernesto Colnago on board as the team’s official bike supplier in the early 1970s. This partnership was critical because Merckx was highly meticulous about his equipment and trusted Colnago’s engineering expertise. Colnago Super bikes were known for their innovative lightweight design and responsiveness, making them perfect for a rider of Merckx’s caliber.
Colnago’s attention to detail, combined with Merckx’s performance, turned the Molteni-Colnago partnership into one of the most successful combinations in professional cycling. The Colnago Super bikes were used by Merckx in many of his victories during this period, including his five Tour de France titles and the legendary 1972 hour record.
Legacy of the Molteni-Colnago-Merckx Era
The collaboration between Molteni, Merckx, and Colnago is one of the most celebrated in cycling history. Colnago’s precision and craftsmanship provided Merckx with the best possible equipment, allowing him to achieve his historic victories. The Molteni team, with its distinctive orange jerseys and unbeatable results, has become iconic, particularly because of Merckx’s success.
Specifications
Frame & Fork: Colnago Super / Columbus SL in Molteni Orange, weighing 9.4Kg. Size: seat tube (c-t): 56 cm, top tube (c-c): 55.5 cm, headset tube: 13.5 cm, standover: 80.5 cm. Bottom bracket, Crankset, Front & Rear Derailleur, Headset, Shifters, Brakes & Brake Levers, Hubs, Pedals & Seatpost are all Campagnolo Nuovo Record. Handlebars Cinelli Mod Giro d’Italia. Stem: Cinelli (105 mm). Freewheel: Regina Oro 5 speed. Rims: NiSi. Seat: Colnago. Toe cage / Leather straps: Christophe. Tubulars: Continental Giro. Handlebar Tape: Cotton, beige
Eddie Merckx
Eddy Merckx is widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists in the history of the sport. Born on June 17, 1945, in Meensel-Kiezegem, Belgium, Merckx’s illustrious career is defined by his sheer dominance, versatility, and hunger for victories. Known as “The Cannibal” due to his relentless drive to win, Merckx competed in road cycling during the 1960s and 1970s, amassing an incredible 525 career victories, including five Tour de France titles, five Giro d’Italia wins, and three World Championships.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Merckx was celebrated for his ability to excel across all types of races: from the grand tours to one-day classics and time trials. His 1971 season was particularly noteworthy as he showcased an extraordinary level of dominance. That year, Merckx won the Tour de France for the third consecutive time and claimed Milan-San Remo and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, further cementing his status as the world’s top cyclist. The 1971 Tour de France was a battle against his closest rival, Luis Ocaña, where Merckx emerged victorious after Ocaña’s unfortunate crash.
Relationship with Colnago and the 1971 Colnago Super
Eddy Merckx had a crucial partnership with Ernesto Colnago, the founder of Colnago bikes, during his peak years. The collaboration between Merckx and Colnago began in the late 1960s, and Colnago would go on to become the official supplier for Merckx’s teams. Ernesto Colnago’s engineering prowess aligned perfectly with Merckx’s exacting standards for performance and durability.
The Colnago Super, introduced in the late 1960s, became one of the most iconic racing bikes of the time, helping Merckx achieve many of his career victories. The 1971 Colnago Super, which Merckx rode during that era, was renowned for its lightweight steel frame and superior craftsmanship. It featured Columbus SL tubing, one of the lightest and most advanced materials available at the time, giving riders like Merckx an edge in both climbing and sprinting. Merckx’s close collaboration with Colnago also extended to the development of future innovations, most notably when Colnago built the bike Merckx used to set the world hour record in 1972.
The 1971 Achievements on the Colnago Super
In 1971, Merckx’s use of the Colnago Super played a pivotal role in his triumphs, particularly during the Tour de France. His superior bike handling and unmatched strength made him nearly unstoppable, and the Colnago Super complemented his aggressive style of riding. The Tour de France victory that year was perhaps one of Merckx’s hardest-fought, where he demonstrated his climbing prowess and time-trial abilities aboard the meticulously designed Colnago.
During this period, Colnago’s bicycles, including the 1971 Colnago Super, became the standard for professional racing bikes. Merckx’s triumphs aboard the Colnago not only boosted his own legacy but also firmly established Colnago as a leader in bicycle manufacturing. The Colnago Super from 1971, associated with Merckx’s grand tour victories, remains a treasured piece of cycling history.