My Mario Cippolini CANNONDALE is finally built! The first road test and photos of the completed project will be tomorrow, hopefully.
Cannondale was the first U.S. bike manufacturer to sponsor a European pro team. As best as I can determine the SAECO sponsorship by Cannondale began in late 1996 and this frame has a date of December 6, 1996. Here is a portion of a press release:
"November, 1996
GAGGIO MONTANO, Italy -- Saeco, international maker of pump-driven espresso and cappuccino machines, has engaged bicycle manufacturer Cannondale to sponsor its Italian-based Team Saeco professional cycling team. Cannondale will provide the team with bicycles and clothing throughout the 1997 season. The Saeco team is a top-level European team, with the world's fastest sprinter," stated Scott Montgomery, Cannondale's vice president of marketing. Cannondale is the first U.S. bicycle maker to supply frames under its own name to a European professional team......".
Cannondale has confirmed to me that this is a genuine made for Cipollini frame based on photographs I sent. The BB engraving is very unique and matches their records. The "o1" is very interesting, this could possibly be the first bike made for Cipollini.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,000 stories in this blog; the search feature to the right works best for finding things in the blog.
Cannondale was the first U.S. bike manufacturer to sponsor a European pro team. As best as I can determine the SAECO sponsorship by Cannondale began in late 1996 and this frame has a date of December 6, 1996. Here is a portion of a press release:
"November, 1996
GAGGIO MONTANO, Italy -- Saeco, international maker of pump-driven espresso and cappuccino machines, has engaged bicycle manufacturer Cannondale to sponsor its Italian-based Team Saeco professional cycling team. Cannondale will provide the team with bicycles and clothing throughout the 1997 season. The Saeco team is a top-level European team, with the world's fastest sprinter," stated Scott Montgomery, Cannondale's vice president of marketing. Cannondale is the first U.S. bicycle maker to supply frames under its own name to a European professional team......".
Cannondale has confirmed to me that this is a genuine made for Cipollini frame based on photographs I sent. The BB engraving is very unique and matches their records. The "o1" is very interesting, this could possibly be the first bike made for Cipollini.
Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal welcome; contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,000 stories in this blog; the search feature to the right works best for finding things in the blog.
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Are you worthy of that frame?
ReplyDeleteMario is at the top of my list regarding sprinter, classics rider of his time.
good luck
Dont't worry...I'm not worthy, not anywhere close to being worthy. But, Mario approves...
ReplyDeleteSo how was it? It's good for the bike to be able to ride in ITS retirement...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the final results, are you going to make it period-correct? It was great to read Gaggia-Montana in your bit, only in ITALY would an espresso machine factory be located in a place like this. One of the roads into the town has a fiberglass cow with the Lion King's image on it!
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