Retro Corner: Marco Pantani's 1997 bike

Marco Pantani's 1997 Wilier

In recent history no other rider has captured the hearts of fans more than the iconic Marco Pantani, in a period that spanned the relentless methodology of Miguel Indurain and Lance Armstrong, Pantani's attacking style had the fans on their feet baying for more. The bike featured is the Wilier used by Marco Pantani in the 1997 Tour de France.

El Pirate

Wilier was established in 1906 near Bassano, Italy in the footprint of the notorious Monta Bassano del Grappa, a high point on the Giro d'Italia.

In post World War 2 Italy, Wilier took on the name Wilier Triestina and the bikes were distinguished by their red copper-coloured bicycles. The company followed this by entering the Giro d'Italia for the first time in 1946 and set themselves up against the great Italian champions Coppi and Bartali. in 1948 Fiorenzo Magni won the race and his and photographs of the team line the walls of the Wilier factory to this day.

In recent memory Wilier's star shone brightest when Marco Pantani and his Mercatone Uno Team rode Wilier bikes.

Wilier's history on show at the factory

Nicknamed "The Pirate", won the 1998 Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. Prior to this Pantani had spent a long time out recovering from a horrifying leg injury (He had been hit by a jeep, that had strayed onto a race course) On his return he made a massive impact when he won two mountain stages in the 1997 Tour de France on the bike featured, including setting the fastest ascent of Alpe D'Huez.. Cycle fans embraced him and he rode fullfilling his Pirate image.

In 1999 his World collapsed when he was thrown out of the Giro after failing a blood test, whilst leading. He spent the next years trying to redeem his image, but he suffered bouts of depression and social drug dependency that eventually led to his death in 2004 at 34 years old.

Lance Armstrong in the aftermath of Pantani said. 'I always thought he was more of an artist than an athlete - an extravagant figure, a Salvador Dalì. That's why people were so fond of him.'

Since Pantani, Wilier have scored a number successes including Davide Rebbelin's winning streak of three classics on the trot in 2004 followed by Igor Astarloa's ride to the World RR Championship later that same year. Giro winner Damiano Cunego claimed the white jersey of the youngest rider in the 2006 Tour de France and most recently Alessandro Ballan took victory in the 2007 Tour of Flanders.

Wilier's long history of success will continue and we do wonder what might grace the factory museum in another 100 years time?

Scratched Dura Ace levers	Cinelli stem and bars	Pirate imagery on the saddle
Scandium frame	Selle Italia wheels made for Marco	Super light special wheels

Bike spec Frame - Aluminium Fork - Aluminium Group - Shimano Wheels - Selle Italia prototypes Seat pin - Selcof Stem/bars - Cinelli Website - www.wilier.it/index.htm

1955 'Copper' bike of Fiorenzo Magni	1955 bike with rod operated Campag gears	Davide Rebbelin won three classics on the trot in 2004
In 2004 Igor Astarloa won the World Championships and he used this bike from thereon	Post WW2 and very much the type of bike that was used to win the Giro in 1948	Wilier stamped stems (All the rage then) on the 'copper' bike
Copper signature frame	Campag rod operated gears	Selcof carbon stem and Flite saddle on Astarloa bike
Wilier were well into their stride with the new carbon technolgy on the Astarloa bike	Daniel Cunego's 2006 Tour de France young riders jersey	After riding for Bianchi for 1998/99, he returned to Wilier with this early full carbon bike
	In Mercatone Uno colours, the carbon Wilier