Giovanni 'Nani' Pinarello, born in 1922, was one of the whole generation of riders from child rich families who chose a career in cycling. In the era of Coppi, Bartali and Bobet, he was quite a successful amateur rider with loads of won races which eventually earned him a contract as professional rider. But it was not until 1951, that Giovanni road the race that found him a special kind of fame.
Back then the last rider who was able to finish the Giro d'Italia within the time limit, was honored with a black jersey. Completing the competition was hard enough for those who strove for the podium, but suffering and keeping up faith every day while the clock was ticking - that was even tougher a task for the riders at the end of the field. The spectators knew it and the athletes who fought their way to the finish line just to be the last were celebrated by them almost as much as the winner. From his last place in the Giro of '51, the nickname 'Maglia Nera' stuck with Nani.
The next year, when he was already preparing for the Giro, he was approached and asked to hand over his starting place to a different rider. Giovanni was angry but being a sportsman he knew that the other rider had much better chances in the race. And on top he was offered a considerable amount of money as compensation.
The year of 1953 then saw him making his dream come true by using his money for the setup of a bicycle shop and manufacture in his hometown Treviso.
From then on Pinarello bikes became more and more famous, more and more refined. In 1975 the company finally achieved its first Giro d'Italia victory. And today there are not many brands with a similar number of victories in big races.
One of their top model in the 1970s was the Pinarello Treviso. Made of light Columbus tubing it features the typical details for 1970s Pinarello bikes. It is equipped with nice Campagnolo Nuovo Record and Super Record parts, Fiamme rims and 3ttt cockpit.
It is, of course, perfectly fit for historic bike races. But you could also use it for your long weekend rides if you like to.
