Vintage Bicycles - Pinarello

Information

• Country: Italy
• Founder: Giovanni Pinarello
• Founding Year: 1953
• Website: www.pinarello.com

A History of Pinarello

Cicli Pinarello S. p. A. is one of the most recognisable names in the history of cycling. Founded in 1952 by Giovanni ‘Nani’ Pinarello in Treviso, Italy, Pinarello is responsible for some of the most important and revolutionary frame technologies in cycling.

Before starting the Pinarello legend, Nani was a successful cyclist himself. Between 1946 to 1953, he won the Giro delle Dolomiti and Rome-Naples-Rome. However, he gained infamy for being the winner of the 1951 Giro d’Italia maglia nera, the black jersey, awarded to the final finisher.

The following year, his team expelled him from the Giro squad at the last moment, compensating him with 100,000 lire for his troubles. Using the very same money, Giovanni set up and opened a workshop to begin building his own bicycles. The Pinarello shop opened in 1953, achieving a few small successes as a team sponsor during the 60s.

It wasn’t until 1975 before the great history of Pinarello’s palmarès would begin, as Fausto Bertoglio won the Giro d’Italia. From here, the heroic stories would begin. Miguel Indurain’s hour record. Jan Ullrich’s Tour de France victory. Multiple successes and grand tours with Team Sky. Bradley Wiggins’ hour record. All achievements conquered aboard a Pinarello.

10 Tour de France victories have involved a Pinarello bicycle, and models such as the Monello SLX, the Paris and the Dogma are evidence that Nani’s legacy is one of the most successful stories in cycling.