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Bianchi releases special edition Specialissima honoring Marco Pantani

  • Ron 

Bianchi has released a special edition of their Specialissima frameset to honour Marco Pantani ’s “Comeback of the century” on Santuario di Oropa climb, at the 1999 Giro d’Italia.

The new model of the “Pantani Collection” features a faithful recreation of the graphics that adorned Pantani’s bike in 1999.

It was May 30th, 1999. With 10 km to go in the 15th stage, Maglia Rosa Marco Pantani fell 30” off the leading group due to a mechanical on the final ascent. Hoping to eliminate the defending champion from the Giro d’Italia run, his rivals kept up the pace, but thanks to the support of his Mercatone Uno-Bianchi teammates, the Pirata managed to come back on the leading group and claim a memorable solo success. A feat that was emphatically called “Comeback of the Century”, in spite of Pantani crossing the line without celebrating, as he thought someone had held on to finish in front of him.

Ultimate Comeback, Ultimate Tribute

The iconic 1999 paint scheme is applied to frame and fork by artisans at Bianchi’s Italian headquarter in Treviglio, with a special commemorative design dedicated to the Santuario di Oropa climb appearing on the shoulder of the fork blade. Even the famous Bianchi eagle badge on the Specialissima’s head tube is a faithful recreation of the one that adorned Pantani’s in 1999.

Futurist Heritage

Just as Pantani’s Mega Pro Concept ridden in the Giro of 1999 by Mercatone Uno-Bianchi team was at the forefront of bicycle design at that age, so is today’s Specialissima.

The Specialissima Pantani frame is engineered with Bianchi CV system, using Countervail composite material to cancel 80% of the road vibrations. The frameset weighs a mere 780g, making it the ultimate climber’s bike.

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