Wilier Triestina Bruce Biddle Team Mecap Bicycle 1979

Wilier Tristina is one of those brands, which really catches hearts of cycling fans all over the world. Mostly known for its "ramata" cromovelato paintjob, it's easily recognizable and equally so easy to fall in love with it. Here we present you a very special piece which is not just a gorgeous bike on its own, it's part of cycling history.

Bruce Biddle's name is perhaps not that broadly known to cycling fans these days, but in 1970s this New Zealand born rider was in the thick of it. Already as a national champion, in 1970 he traveled to Scotland to take part in the Commonwealth games in Edinburgh, where he won the individual race. This huge success confirmed his abilities and he decided to stay in Europe and try to sign a contract by some of the professional teams. After some succesfull races in Britain he went to Italy and by good luck he met certain Cino Cinelli, who recomended him to a club located in Tuscany - a dream come true.

In the next years, he rode for renowned teams like Magniflex, Sanson, Gis-Gelati and supported stars so big as Francesco Moser or Marino Basso. In hist last year of he career he signed by team Mecap-Hoonved as the only non-Italian member of the squad. Unfortunatelly this season has been cut short for him due to a crash with a lorry while training.

This Wilier Triestina Team Mecap-Hoonved belonged to Bruce Biddle and it's a magnificent bike indeed. You can tell by little details that this frame differs from the stock ones. The seat tube lug with elegant post clamping, pointy seat stay caps or the special lugs being the most obvious. As a racing machine built for the season 1979 it is equipped with original Campagnolo Super Record parts including the rare 4-hole front derailleur. Unlike recent racing bikes which often brim with branding and sponsor decals, this more than 40 years old machine shows very different approach. Here the Wilier brand is advertised by many precise pantographes.

A rare opportunity to get hold of one of the shiny "ramata" racing gems, a part of the cycling history. To enlarge your collection and hang it on a wall or to enjoy it on a road, this is certainly a great choice for collectors!