Amgen tour of California 2012

powered by Performance Bicycle

TechPowered By

More tech

Marco Pantani's 1998 Mercatone Uno Bianchi Mega Pro XL Reparto Corse

  • Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) rode his custom Bianchi to victory in both the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1998.

    Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) rode his custom Bianchi to victory in both the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia in 1998.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Bianchi built Pantani's frame with double-butted aluminum tubing from Dedacciai.

    Bianchi built Pantani's frame with double-butted aluminum tubing from Dedacciai.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Nine-speed Campagnolo Record Ergopower levers are mounted low on the bars.

    Nine-speed Campagnolo Record Ergopower levers are mounted low on the bars.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Pantani's machine - and his memory - live on in a corner of Bianchi's private museum.

    Pantani's machine - and his memory - live on in a corner of Bianchi's private museum.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Pantani applied the power through a pair of Time Equipe Mag pedals.

    Pantani applied the power through a pair of Time Equipe Mag pedals.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Where's the carbon? Back in the mid-90s, forged aluminum was the material of choice in most situations.

    Where's the carbon? Back in the mid-90s, forged aluminum was the material of choice in most situations.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The Electron rims bear no machined sidewalls and the stainless steel spokes are secured with brass nipples.

    The Electron rims bear no machined sidewalls and the stainless steel spokes are secured with brass nipples.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Pantani's trademark attacking style and bandana earned him one of the most memorable nicknames in cycling.

    Pantani's trademark attacking style and bandana earned him one of the most memorable nicknames in cycling.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • This isn't just a production bike emblazoned in team livery and with a rider's name on it - it was a full custom build made just for Pantani.

    This isn't just a production bike emblazoned in team livery and with a rider's name on it - it was a full custom build made just for Pantani.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The round seat tube looks decidedly traditional as compared to modern aero shapes.

    The round seat tube looks decidedly traditional as compared to modern aero shapes.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The titanium mast on the Campagnolo Record seatpost is topped by an elegant setback forged alloy head.

    The titanium mast on the Campagnolo Record seatpost is topped by an elegant setback forged alloy head.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • ITM's blocky Big One stem was a popular choice back in the late-90s.

    ITM's blocky Big One stem was a popular choice back in the late-90s.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Some things never change: Vittoria's Corsa EVO CX tubular is a top choice among today's pros, just as its predecessor was back in the day.

    Some things never change: Vittoria's Corsa EVO CX tubular is a top choice among today's pros, just as its predecessor was back in the day.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • This head tube badge is hardly necessary as an identifier given the classic celeste paint.

    This head tube badge is hardly necessary as an identifier given the classic celeste paint.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The Campagnolo Electron wheels use box-section alloy rims for light weight and a smooth ride - perfect characteristics for a wispy climber like Pantani.

    The Campagnolo Electron wheels use box-section alloy rims for light weight and a smooth ride - perfect characteristics for a wispy climber like Pantani.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The bottom bracket area on Pantani's bike highlights the technology of the day with a standard Italian-threaded shell surrounding a square-taper bottom bracket.

    The bottom bracket area on Pantani's bike highlights the technology of the day with a standard Italian-threaded shell surrounding a square-taper bottom bracket.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Pantani's bike is fitted with dual-pivot Campagnolo brakes both front and rear, in contrast to newer versions that use a lighter single-pivot rear caliper.

    Pantani's bike is fitted with dual-pivot Campagnolo brakes both front and rear, in contrast to newer versions that use a lighter single-pivot rear caliper.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The popularity of integrated brake/shift levers have made down tube stops like this mostly a thing of the past but back in the day, these Campagnolo bits were among the finest examples of the breed.

    The popularity of integrated brake/shift levers have made down tube stops like this mostly a thing of the past but back in the day, these Campagnolo bits were among the finest examples of the breed.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The modestly shaped stays are joined with TIG-welded aluminum dropouts.

    The modestly shaped stays are joined with TIG-welded aluminum dropouts.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • These chain stays would look relatively small as compared to modern carbon bikes but that didn't stop Pantani from flying up the mountainsides.

    These chain stays would look relatively small as compared to modern carbon bikes but that didn't stop Pantani from flying up the mountainsides.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The cockpit consists of a non-oversized alloy bar and TIG-welded alloy stem - both by ITM.

    The cockpit consists of a non-oversized alloy bar and TIG-welded alloy stem - both by ITM.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Few bikes are more easily identified simply by their colors than Pantani's Mercatone Uno Bianchi.

    Few bikes are more easily identified simply by their colors than Pantani's Mercatone Uno Bianchi.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The 170mm-long Campagnolo Record cranks are fitted with enormous 44/54T chainrings.

    The 170mm-long Campagnolo Record cranks are fitted with enormous 44/54T chainrings.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • Bianchi's Mega Pro down tube profile started out round at the head tube then switched to a slight teardrop shape in the middle before ovalizing at the bottom bracket shell.

    Bianchi's Mega Pro down tube profile started out round at the head tube then switched to a slight teardrop shape in the middle before ovalizing at the bottom bracket shell.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • A Time carbon fork is used up front.

    A Time carbon fork is used up front.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The polished alloy Campagnolo Electron front hub includes a central grease port for easy servicing.

    The polished alloy Campagnolo Electron front hub includes a central grease port for easy servicing.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson

  • The top tube is essentially round from end to end.

    The top tube is essentially round from end to end.

    Photo credit © Daniel Benson