Trending

Gallery: More than 50 years of Pinarello

A retrospective look at the Italian brand's iconic bicycles and their riders

Image 1 of 47

On September 2, 1994 Miguel Indurain used this Pinarello track bike to set a new hour record of 53.040km, breaking the record of 52.713km set by Graeme Obree earlier that year

On September 2, 1994 Miguel Indurain used this Pinarello track bike to set a new hour record of 53.040km, breaking the record of 52.713km set by Graeme Obree earlier that year
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 2 of 47

Abraham Olano (Spain) wins the 1998 elite men's time trial world championship in Valkenburg, the Netherlands on a Pinarello time trial bike

Abraham Olano (Spain) wins the 1998 elite men's time trial world championship in Valkenburg, the Netherlands on a Pinarello time trial bike
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 3 of 47

Julián Gorospe (Reynolds), right, at the 1986 Tour de France where he would win stage 19. He would later direct the Euskaltel-Euskadi team from 1998 through 2006.

Julián Gorospe (Reynolds), right, at the 1986 Tour de France where he would win stage 19. He would later direct the Euskaltel-Euskadi team from 1998 through 2006.
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 4 of 47

The first Tour de France won on a Pinarello came courtesy of Pedro Delgado (Reynolds) in 1988

The first Tour de France won on a Pinarello came courtesy of Pedro Delgado (Reynolds) in 1988
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 5 of 47

Jose Maria Jimenez (Banesto) solos to victory at the 2000 edition of Classique des Alpes

Jose Maria Jimenez (Banesto) solos to victory at the 2000 edition of Classique des Alpes
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 6 of 47

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) finished second to Tony Rominger on the stage 19 ITT at the 1993 Tour but retained the yellow jersey

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) finished second to Tony Rominger on the stage 19 ITT at the 1993 Tour but retained the yellow jersey
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 7 of 47

Giovanni Pinarello, who would become the founder of the Pinarello bicycle company, piloted this Bottecchia to a last place finish in the 1951 Giro d'Italia.

Giovanni Pinarello, who would become the founder of the Pinarello bicycle company, piloted this Bottecchia to a last place finish in the 1951 Giro d'Italia.
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 8 of 47

The first international victory on a Pinarello came courtesy of Guido de Rosso who won the 1961 Tour de l'Avenir

The first international victory on a Pinarello came courtesy of Guido de Rosso who won the 1961 Tour de l'Avenir
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 9 of 47

The first overall Giro d'Italia victory for Pinarello came courtesy of Fausto Bertoglio in 1975

The first overall Giro d'Italia victory for Pinarello came courtesy of Fausto Bertoglio in 1975
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 10 of 47

Giovanni Battaglin won both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana in 1981 aboard a Pinarello

Giovanni Battaglin won both the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana in 1981 aboard a Pinarello
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 11 of 47

The height of aero technology in the late '80s. Franco Chioccioli and his Del Tongo squad rode Pinarello TT bikes to victory in the team time trial stage at the 1988 Giro d'Italia

The height of aero technology in the late '80s. Franco Chioccioli and his Del Tongo squad rode Pinarello TT bikes to victory in the team time trial stage at the 1988 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 12 of 47

Franco Chioccioli used a Pinarello to win the 1991 Giro d'Italia

Franco Chioccioli used a Pinarello to win the 1991 Giro d'Italia
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 13 of 47

At the root of Miguel Indurain's five straight Tour de France victories was his time trialing ability. Pictured here is a Pinarello time trial bike used in 1993 by Indurain.

At the root of Miguel Indurain's five straight Tour de France victories was his time trialing ability. Pictured here is a Pinarello time trial bike used in 1993 by Indurain.
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 14 of 47

Miguel Indurain's full-aero time trial rig from 1995, the year of his final Tour de France victory and the year he won the time trial world championship in Colombia

Miguel Indurain's full-aero time trial rig from 1995, the year of his final Tour de France victory and the year he won the time trial world championship in Colombia
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 15 of 47

Pinarello's manifistation of the "Superman" position which Andrea Collinelli used to win a gold medal in the individual pursuit at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Altanta

Pinarello's manifistation of the "Superman" position which Andrea Collinelli used to win a gold medal in the individual pursuit at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Altanta
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 16 of 47

Bjarne Riis used this Pinarello time trial bike during his overall victory at the 1996 Tour de France

Bjarne Riis used this Pinarello time trial bike during his overall victory at the 1996 Tour de France
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 17 of 47

Jan Ullrich's Pinarello road bike used during his 1997 Tour de France victory

Jan Ullrich's Pinarello road bike used during his 1997 Tour de France victory
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 18 of 47

The Pinarello Crono Alu used by Alex Zulle during time trials in 1999, the year he finished second overall to Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France

The Pinarello Crono Alu used by Alex Zulle during time trials in 1999, the year he finished second overall to Lance Armstrong at the Tour de France
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 19 of 47

Jan Ullrich's futuristic Pinarello time trial bike used during the 2000 season where he finished second overall in the Tour de France and earned the silver medal in the time trial at the Olympic Games in Sydney

Jan Ullrich's futuristic Pinarello time trial bike used during the 2000 season where he finished second overall in the Tour de France and earned the silver medal in the time trial at the Olympic Games in Sydney
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 20 of 47

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) in yellow at the 1992 Tour de France with teammates Marino Alonso (left) and Pedro Delgado (center)

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) in yellow at the 1992 Tour de France with teammates Marino Alonso (left) and Pedro Delgado (center)
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 21 of 47

Vicente Garcia-Acosta (Banesto) getting aero during stage 13 of the 1999 Tour de France

Vicente Garcia-Acosta (Banesto) getting aero during stage 13 of the 1999 Tour de France
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 22 of 47

Alex Zülle (Banesto) would finish second to Lance Armstrong on the 56km stage 8 ITT at the 1999 Tour de France

Alex Zülle (Banesto) would finish second to Lance Armstrong on the 56km stage 8 ITT at the 1999 Tour de France
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 23 of 47

Team captain Alex Zulle (second right) in action with his Banesto teammates during the stage 4 team time trial at the 2000 Tour de France. Banesto would place 12th, more than 4 minutes down on stage winner ONCE.

Team captain Alex Zulle (second right) in action with his Banesto teammates during the stage 4 team time trial at the 2000 Tour de France. Banesto would place 12th, more than 4 minutes down on stage winner ONCE.
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 24 of 47

Santiago Blanco (iBanesto.com) solos to victory in stage 10 at the 2001 Vuelta a Espana

Santiago Blanco (iBanesto.com) solos to victory in stage 10 at the 2001 Vuelta a Espana
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 25 of 47

Denis Menchov (iBanesto.com) en route to a 13th place finish in the stage 3 ITT at the 2002 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré

Denis Menchov (iBanesto.com) en route to a 13th place finish in the stage 3 ITT at the 2002 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 26 of 47

They don't make TT bikes like this anymore...Miguel Indurain (Banesto) rode into yellow at the 1995 Tour de France with a victory in the 54km stage 8 individual time trial

They don't make TT bikes like this anymore...Miguel Indurain (Banesto) rode into yellow at the 1995 Tour de France with a victory in the 54km stage 8 individual time trial
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 27 of 47

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) powering the winning break in stage 7 at the 1995 Tour. Johan Bruyneel (ONCE) would outsprint Indurain for the stage win plus yellow jersey, but Indurain would wrest the jersey away for good the next day in the 54km ITT.

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) powering the winning break in stage 7 at the 1995 Tour. Johan Bruyneel (ONCE) would outsprint Indurain for the stage win plus yellow jersey, but Indurain would wrest the jersey away for good the next day in the 54km ITT.
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 28 of 47

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) front and center in yellow during stage 11 of the 1993 Tour. Tony Rominger, right, would win the stage, Indurain would win overall for the third straight year, and Alvaro Mejia, left, would have his best overall Tour finish with 4th place

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) front and center in yellow during stage 11 of the 1993 Tour. Tony Rominger, right, would win the stage, Indurain would win overall for the third straight year, and Alvaro Mejia, left, would have his best overall Tour finish with 4th place
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 29 of 47

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) in yellow in the background during the 1991 Tour, his first of five straight Tour victories. In the foreground is Italian champion Gianno Bugno, Indurain's super domestique Pedro Delgado and mountains leader Claudio Chiappucci

Miguel Indurain (Banesto) in yellow in the background during the 1991 Tour, his first of five straight Tour victories. In the foreground is Italian champion Gianno Bugno, Indurain's super domestique Pedro Delgado and mountains leader Claudio Chiappucci
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 30 of 47

Pedro Delgado (Banesto) and Ronan Pensec (Z) battle during stage 10 of the 1990 Tour de France. Belgian champion Claude Criquielion, on the hot pink bike, leads Raul Alcala in the background

Pedro Delgado (Banesto) and Ronan Pensec (Z) battle during stage 10 of the 1990 Tour de France. Belgian champion Claude Criquielion, on the hot pink bike, leads Raul Alcala in the background
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 31 of 47

2006 Tour de France leader Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) rolls out of the start house for the penultimate stage ITT. Floyd Landis would take the yellow jersey from Pereiro and ride with it into Paris, but the Spaniard would ultimately be named the 2006 winner after Landis was stripped of the title

2006 Tour de France leader Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) rolls out of the start house for the penultimate stage ITT. Floyd Landis would take the yellow jersey from Pereiro and ride with it into Paris, but the Spaniard would ultimately be named the 2006 winner after Landis was stripped of the title
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 32 of 47

Floyd Landis (Phonak) marks yellow jersey holder Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) during stage 15 at the 2006 Tour de France

Floyd Landis (Phonak) marks yellow jersey holder Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears) during stage 15 at the 2006 Tour de France
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 33 of 47

Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne) outsprinted Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) to win stage 10 of the 2005 Tour in Courchevel

Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne) outsprinted Lance Armstrong (Discovery Channel) to win stage 10 of the 2005 Tour in Courchevel
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 34 of 47

The stars of cycling had hour record fever in 1994. Here Miguel Indurain becomes the first man to ride over 53km in one hour (53.040km), beating Graeme Obree's record of 52.713km. Tony Rominger would go further than Indurain on two separate occasions later in 1994.

The stars of cycling had hour record fever in 1994. Here Miguel Indurain becomes the first man to ride over 53km in one hour (53.040km), beating Graeme Obree's record of 52.713km. Tony Rominger would go further than Indurain on two separate occasions later in 1994.
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 35 of 47

Abraham Olano (Banesto) led the 1997 Dauphine Libere on the final stage, but crashed and finished second overall to Udo Bolts (Telekom)

Abraham Olano (Banesto) led the 1997 Dauphine Libere on the final stage, but crashed and finished second overall to Udo Bolts (Telekom)
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 36 of 47

Abraham Olano (Banesto) leads Evgeni Berzin (La Francaise des Jeux) and French champion Laurent Jalabert (ONCE) during stage 10 of the 1998 Tour de France

Abraham Olano (Banesto) leads Evgeni Berzin (La Francaise des Jeux) and French champion Laurent Jalabert (ONCE) during stage 10 of the 1998 Tour de France
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 37 of 47

Unaï Osa (Banesto) en route to an 8th place finish on the Mont Ventoux time trial in the 1999 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, a stage won by Jonathan Vaughters

Unaï Osa (Banesto) en route to an 8th place finish on the Mont Ventoux time trial in the 1999 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, a stage won by Jonathan Vaughters
(Image credit: AFP)
Image 38 of 47

The Pinarello Paris used in 2006 by Alejandro Valverde, the year he claimed the Ardennes double of La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège

The Pinarello Paris used in 2006 by Alejandro Valverde, the year he claimed the Ardennes double of La Flèche Wallonne and Liège–Bastogne–Liège
(Image credit: Pinarello)
Image 39 of 47

Frank Vandenbroucke goes on the attack at Paris-Nice while in 2004 while riding for Fassa Bortolo.

Frank Vandenbroucke goes on the attack at Paris-Nice while in 2004 while riding for Fassa Bortolo.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Image 40 of 47

Alessandro Petacchi's Fassa Bortolo Pinarello Dogma.

Alessandro Petacchi's Fassa Bortolo Pinarello Dogma.
(Image credit: Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews)
Image 41 of 47

Bradley Wiggins gets low on the corners

Bradley Wiggins gets low on the corners
(Image credit: Rob Lampard)
Image 42 of 47

Movistar used Pinarello Dogma Ks - and the older KOBH 60.1 - for its run at Paris-Roubaix.

Movistar used Pinarello Dogma Ks - and the older KOBH 60.1 - for its run at Paris-Roubaix.
(Image credit: James Huang)
Image 43 of 47

Most bike frames in 1997 were still made out of metal, which limited what designers could do in terms of aerodynamic shaping. Here, Jan Ullrich tears around the Saint-Etienne course on a bike with a disc rear wheel, medium-depth front wheel, and aero bars but with just a teardrop-shaped down tube instead of the full-blown aero creations of today.

Most bike frames in 1997 were still made out of metal, which limited what designers could do in terms of aerodynamic shaping. Here, Jan Ullrich tears around the Saint-Etienne course on a bike with a disc rear wheel, medium-depth front wheel, and aero bars but with just a teardrop-shaped down tube instead of the full-blown aero creations of today.
(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Image 44 of 47

Miguel Indurain's 1993 Pinarello Banesto Team Bike was the first TIG-welded steel bike to win the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.

Miguel Indurain's 1993 Pinarello Banesto Team Bike was the first TIG-welded steel bike to win the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France.
(Image credit: Tim Maloney/Cyclingnews)
Image 45 of 47

Miguel Indurain won his five Tours based largely on his ability to time trial efficiently.

Miguel Indurain won his five Tours based largely on his ability to time trial efficiently.
(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Image 46 of 47

Miguel Indurain's (Banesto) steel Pinarello as used in the 1993 Tour de France.

Miguel Indurain's (Banesto) steel Pinarello as used in the 1993 Tour de France.
(Image credit: Tim Maloney)
Image 47 of 47

Bjarne Riis (Telekom) leads Berzin during a short but heroic defence of the yellow jersey in 1996

Bjarne Riis (Telekom) leads Berzin during a short but heroic defence of the yellow jersey in 1996
(Image credit: AFP)

Rui Costa added the most recent chapter to the storied history of Italy's Pinarello bicycle company as the 26-year-old Portuguese rider rode a brilliant race to win the road race world championship last Sunday in Florence, Italy.

Related Articles

Team Sky extends partnership with Pinarello

Movistar confirm split with Pinarello

Costa's trade team of Movistar has parted ways with Pinarello for 2014 (and Costa himself moves to Lampre-Merida next season) and it marks the end of a lengthy relationship with the Spanish squad which can be traced back to the Reynolds team of the 1980s. Pinarello still figures prominently in the pro peloton, however, as they've extended their partnership with the British Sky team through 2016. Pinarello's relationship with Team Sky has been fruitful since their initial sponsorship in 2010 which has seen the squad win 136 races thus far, highlighted by back-to-back Tour de France victories courtesy of Bradley Wiggins (2012) and Chris Froome (2013).

Pinarello was founded by Giovanni Pinarello, himself a professional cyclist, but who saw the writing on the wall after finishing dead last in the 1951 Giro d'Italia. The next year his Giro d'Italia roster spot was bought out in favour of a more promising rider, Pasquale Fornara, and the 100,000 lire Pinarello received as compensation provided the seed money to found the eponymously named Pinarello bicycle company based in Treviso, Italy.

This gallery represents many milestones in the history of Pinarello, from the company's first international victory via Guido de Rossa at the 1961 Tour de l'Avenir, its first overall Giro d'Italia victory in 1975, its relationship with Italian champions Giovanni Battaglin and Franco Chioccioli, through the more modern era with Miguel Indurain and Alex Zulle at Banesto, Bjarne Riis and Jan Ullrich at Telekom and Spaniards such as Oscar Pereiro and Alejandro Valverde. The racing photos represent the years of Pinarello's sponsorship of Movistar's precursors in Reynolds, Banesto and Caisse d'Epargne.

Click here to view the Pinarello retrospective gallery.