To this was added the lighter framed Mexico model (named after the location of Merckx's hour record set in Mexico City), and later other models were added-like the Superissimo and Esa Mexico. In America, the early seventies were marked by the bike boom, and Colnago "pumped out bikes as though the future of humankind was at stake." In the 1970s through the 1980s, the "Super" was Colnago's mainstay model, a high-end racing frame available as both a track and road model. With a growing reputation from their racing wins, Colnago plunged into the market for production bikes. From his racing experience came Colnago's passion for light purpose-built racing frames, and some of the experiments, like drilled-out component introduced on custom bikes like Merckx's were then made available on production models. This bicycle has been displayed all over the world, including in a display case inside a Brussels metro station named after the great rider. when we made special forks, and special bikes." This included the super-light steel frame used by Merckx in 1972 to break the world one hour record. So it was a real honour to work for a great champion like Merckx. Īfter the demise of the Faema team, Eddy Merckx joined the Molteni team, and what ensued was mutual innovation-as Colnago describes it: "Merckx was an up and coming champion and I was an up and coming bike builder. A win on a Colnago in the 1970 Milan-San Remo race by Michele Dancelli for the Molteni team inspired Colnago to change his logo to the now-famous 'Asso di Fiori' or Ace of Clubs. In 1963, Colnago joined the Molteni team as head mechanic, and riders such as Gianni Motta raced on Colnago bikes. In 1960, Colnago saw fame as Luigi Arienti rode to a gold medal at the Rome Olympics on a Colnago bicycle.
Colnago c40 carbon mapei pro#
He had a training philosophy where he rode shorter distances than most pro cyclists, sometimes covering only about half the distance his colleagues would. He has won the cycling monument Milan – San Remo three times, four stages in the Tour de France and seven stages of the Vuelta a España, throughout a successful career.ĭespite his diminutive stature, Freire was a good sprinter. In the later years of his career, he has been more of a classics rider. He was one of the top sprinters in road bicycle racing, having won the world championship three times, equalling Alfredo Binda, Rik Van Steenbergen and Eddy Merckx.
Colnago c40 carbon mapei professional#
Óscar Freire Gómez (born 15 February 1976 in Torrelavega, Cantabria) is a former Spanish professional road bicycle racer.