ENGLISH N° 07 - NOVEMBER 2014
Merckx AND Rominger
two historic records
Giorgia Bronzini
is fourth at worlds
Colnago Cycling Festival
entries are open
Story:
Gran Fondo Italia Beverly Hills
superprestige:
Van Der Poel wins in Geiten
Merckx and
Rominger
two champions
riding on
two Colnago
October 25th and November 5th are two days
that will never be the same for Ernesto Colnago.
42 and 20 years ago, in 1972 and 1994, Eddy
Merckx and Tony Rominger achieved their record
times – the Belgian in Mexico City, the Swede at
Bordeaux, France. Both rode bicycles made by
Ernesto Colnago.
This story is that of the dreams of man. To achieve greatness riding a bicycle is ingrained
the character of the riders, and also in the ambition of those who build bikes. Therefore,
the combination of these two champions and Ernesto Colnago were destined to produce
exceptional results. In fact, both records are remarkable for their respective eras. Both bikes
were also designed to achieve the highest goal, and to share the Italian style with the world.
The bike prepared for Eddy Merckx is a concentrated measure of technology. It weighs just
five kilograms and 750 grams – taking more than two hundred hours to complete. It boasts
rare and unique components, such as the titanium stem produced in Detroit, the drilled chain
(saving 95 grams), and the drilled the bar covered with a thin insulating tape. The frame
was constructed using different tube thicknesses, and it has a special steel fork. Ernesto
Colnago put much of his own patience, knowledge, and experience into the bike that Merckx
would then use to break the previous record, held by Ole Ritter, by 950 meters – coming
in at 49.604 km in an hour. With Rominger, 22 years after the first record, a “Fever-paced
record time” was achieved. Several years had passed, and technology for road bikes had
made great improvements. Colnago already discovered and launched carbon fiber frames that
were proven winners, but from studies of the track at Bordeaux (a small distance per lap),
the chosen material was steel with drop-shaped tubes. Thus, the bike was named the “Oval
Cx.” Starting from the fork, you can see the hand-made blades offer an extreme aerodynamic
advantage – with 7mm blades as opposed to the classic 20mm.
Even thinner and more aerodynamic were the chainstays, and the front triangle is significantly
lowered. The seatpost is also a masterpiece of technology and style -- thin and tapered.
Even the handlebar was a new concept, designed specifically for the record. The bike, which
features two disc wheels, weighed more than that of Merckx (about 6.5 kg), but it represented
a new benchmark for the hour record. At the end of the attempt it proved to be a total success.
The Swiss champion beat the record twice; on October 22nd, recording an amazing 53.832
km, and on November 5th, shattering the 55 km hour record with a distance of 55.291 km.
COLNAGO HISTORY
On the left Eddy Merckx with Ernesto Colnago
Merckx’s and Rominger’s Colnago bicycle
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Giorgia Bronzini
on COLNAGO V1-r
Giorgia
Bronzini
Takes Fourth Place at World
Championships in Ponferrada
A single moment was all it took for an excellent four th place in the Women’s World
Championship Road Race. But, Giorgia Bronzini was a bit angry at the finish line.
A strong attack only several meters from the finish caused her dreams of another
victory to fade. The Italian rider tried valiantly to add another rainbow jersey to
her collection, of which she already has two. Of her impor tant race – in which she
chose to ride the new Colnago V1-r – Giorgia said: “There is some disappointment
because when you hold your concentration through a race plagued by rain and
crashes, and you still search for the best result, a four th place leaves a little bitter
taste in the mouth. In the sprint there was a slight misunderstanding between me
and Rossella Ratto. She forced the pace at 350 meters to the finish line to favor
me, but the plan discombobulated. Surely I believed in myself until the end. I’m
sorry for my team mates and for the staff. Now it’s time to rest, but I’m looking
forward to trying again.” Giorgia chose to ride the V1-r because it was appropriate
for the race – hilly with a significant total elevation gain, but with a very fast finish.
Combined with 50mm carbon fiber wheels, the V1-r becomes light, aerodynamic,
and responsive – perfect for the fastest endurance cyclists!
COLNAGO V1-r
4
Ernesto Colnago
Named Honorary Citizen
of Desenzano del Garda
The founder of the company has received
honorary citizenship by the hand of
Desenzano’s Mayor, Rosa Leso
The honor was conferred to Ernesto Colnago “for the sincere feeling
of recognition, in respect of his exceptional entrepreneurial skills and
extraordinary attention paid to the city with the organization of the
Colnago Cycling Festival event – which brings many people to Desenzano
del Garda annually.”
Ernesto Colnago said: “I am touched and flattered by this recognition.
I chose Desenzano about thirty years ago. It’s a wonderful place that
brings so much calm and serenity. Now I am happy to know that even
Desenzano chose me. In my life I have worked to understand how great
it is to be Italian and to export the beauty of Italy to the world. I am
honored to share what you represent. I’m so happy.
Colnago
Cycling
Festival 2015
Entries are open!
colnagocyclingfestival.com
6
Ernesto Colnago
with Desenzano’s Mayor, Rosa Leso
Entry forms are now available on the official
website; www.colnagocyclingfestival.com,
along with all the detailed information
about the different events – for both the
most aggressive riders, and the amateurs
who are more interested in discovering the
enchanting landscapes and local delicacies
that will be tasted while enjoying the ride
The schedule for the 2015 edition is very impressive. On Friday, May 15, the Expo area for
the most prestigious names in the world of two wheels will be opened and bib numbers
will be distributed (please note that all entries received prior to April 10, 2015 will have a
personalized pictoral – with their full name included).
The real party will then begin during the Desenzano del Garda Cycling White Night
Festival, promoted by the Desenzano del Garda Tourism Development.
On the morning of Saturday, May 16, the Tour of Lake Garda Randonee will take place, while
in the afternoon there will be a Baby Bike event for children. In the evening, participants will
be able to taste local dishes during the gala dinner with the Colnago family, local dignitaries,
and prominent guests from the world of sport and beyond.
On Sunday, May 17, the Garda Legend – reserved for vintage bikes! – will kick-off the final
day. Then the main-event, the Gran Fondo Colnago, will begin – which, this year, features
three completely new routes as compared to previous editions. There will be a 159 km route,
with 2044 meters of climbing, for the “queen race,” the Gran Fondo; 110 km and 1384
meters of altitude for the Medio Fondo, and 77 km with 940 meters of climbing for the short
course. All participants will be offered beautiful sights and irresistible new climbs!
GRAN FONDO
ITALIA BEVERLY
HILLS –“MADE
IN ITALY”
CYCLING ON
RODEO DRIVE
Rodeo Drive was the star ting point for more than 800 riders at the Gran Fondo Italia in
Beverly Hills. The competitors rode towards the mountains of Los Angeles, on two routes
of 48 or 94 miles. The longer course included the Lexus KOM (King of the Mountain),
won by Rudy Napolitano and Kathryn Donovan. The next event in the series that joins
recreational cycling and Italian style is Sunday, October 19th at the Gran Fondo Italia
Atlanta-Roswell. The event’s lucky winner of a Colnago C60, that was offered as a prize
by the famous Milanese manufacturer of bicycles, is: Justin Minyard. Justin is from the city
of Tampa and brings home this beautiful jewel of Italian industry. Colnago par ticipated in
the event not only as a sponsor, but as the leader of initiatives – including the gala that
inaugurated the “Colnago Lounge” inside the Mr. C Hotel, the famous hotel founded by
Ignazio and Maggio Cipriani, and in the circuit of “the Leading Hotels of the World.” With
the launch of the “Colnago Lounge” it will be possible for every hotel guest to ride bicycles
from the house of Cambiago throughout the year.
Planning for the 2015 Gran Fondo Italia cycling event in Beverly Hills is already underway! For more information, and the official 2015 date announcement in October, visit: http://
thegranfondoitalia.com .
7
Sergey Firsanov
Wins the Tour
of Kavkaz
Mathieu
Van der Poel
is first at Gieten
RusVelo rider, Sergey Firsanov, won the final classification of the Tour of Kavkaz
– having finished 2nd in the last stage, a 10 km-long uphill time trial. The stage
winner, Dmitry Ignatiev (Itera-Katusha), set the best time of 18’21”, at 33.7
km/h, riding the course 13 seconds faster than his closest rival. For Firsanov,
it was his first race after a complicated injury sustained in the Tour de Pologne.
Yet another RusVelo rider, Timofey Kritskiy, achieved top ten in the GC; and
stage-two winner, Igor Boev, took the best climber’s jersey.
Dutchman Mathieu Van der Poel (BKCP-Powerplus),
the nineteen-year-old son of former Cyclocross
World Champion Adrie Van der Poel, won the opening
round of the Superprestige in Gieten, Netherlands,
thanks to a sensational attack
The race was held on Sunday, October 5th, 2014. Van der Poel’s success was due in large
part to a superb final lap, which allowed him to drop a close-chasing Lars van der Haar
(Giant-Shimano). Belgian champion, Sven Nys (Crelan), rounded out the podium. Van der
Poel is the first leader of the Belgian Superprestige series of cyclocross races.
The BKCP-Powerplus team races on the Colnago Prestige. The frame is a cyclocross-specific,
full carbon fiber design. The monocoque front triangle guarantees remarkable stiffness,
while the seat stays were designed to increase mud-clearance and add to ride-quality. The
lightness of the Prestige frame is appreciated when carrying it on your shoulder – as well as
the comfort, thanks to the curved reinforcement placed between the top tube and seat tube.
The team’s choice of braking system is hydraulic discs.
COLNAGO PRESTIGE
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9
I N
C O L L A B O R A Z I O N E
C O N
Location: MARANELLO
LINEA DI PRODUZIONE V12
LIGHTNESS, AERODYNAMICS, SAFETY.
The V1-r is the new frame from Colnago designed for
cyclists who are particular about their bike’s weight-toperformance ratio. It is made with the highest quality
carbon fiber, selected in cooperation with Ferrari,
which is why is we use the Cavallino logo on each frame.
The frame is monocoque, with aerodynamic shaped
tube sections, and full-carbon rear dropouts.
The V1-r is the best monocoque frame produced in
Colnago’s sixty year history.
c o l n a g o . c o m