BIANCHI Mega Pro XL Mercatone Uno – Marco Pantani Tour de France ’98 – SOLD

Marco Pantani (13 January 1970 – 14 February 2004) widely considered as one of the best climbers of his era in professional road bicycle racing. He won both the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France and in 1998, is the last cyclist, and one of only seven, to win the Giro and the Tour in the same year. Pantani’s attacking style and aggressive riding turned him into a fan favorite in the late 1990s. He was known as “Il Pirata” (“The pirate”) because of his shaved head and the bandana and earrings he always wore.  At 1.72 m and 57 kg, he had the classic build for a mountain climber.

Bianchi’s Reparto Corse (Bianchi’s Race Department) facility hand built frames for their top riders and of course Marco Pantani was one of them riding for Mercatone Uno sponsored by Bianchi. Their top model Mega Pro XL was made of exclusive set of Triple Butted 7000 aluminium heat treated shaped tubes. Aluminum was the material of choice back then, even some of his biggets rivals rode full carbon bikes.

Marco PANTANI attacked on Col du Galibier and took the yellow jersey and win the TDF 1998

Proudly presenting one of the most iconic bikes in cycling history, the Bianchi Mega Pro XL, identical to Marco Pantani’s bike on his way to winning Giro d’Italia and Tour de France back in 1998. The frame is shinning in beautiful Mercatone Uno paintjob, build with Campagnolo Record 9s (1998) groupset, with downtube shifter for front derailleur, Campagnolo Electron wheels, PMP Titanium seatpost, Pantani’s personalized Selle Italia Flite titanium saddle, Time Equipe Mag pedals, titanium bottle cage, vintage Coca Cola ’98 bottle, so all exact components as used by Marco Pantani at the 1998 Tour de France.

Unique chance for all Pantani fans to get this amazing replica.

Frame / Fork: Bianchi Mega Pro Reparto Corse Mercatone Uno (Alu 7000) / Time Carbon fork

Size:

– seat tube (c-t): 53.8 cm

– seat tube (c-c): 50.2 cm

– top tube (c-c): 54 cm

– headset tube: 13.2 cm

Crankset: Campagnolo Record (170mm ; 53/39)

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Record Titanium 9s

Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record

Brake Levers / Shifters: Campagnolo Record 9s

Brakes: Campagnolo Record

Wheelset: Campagnolo Electron

Chain: Campagnolo C9

Pedals: Time Pro Equipe Mag

Stem: ITM 110mm Big One

Handlebar: ITM

Seatpost: PMP Titanium (27,2mm)

Seat: Selle Italia Flite Titanium ”Il Pirata”

Tubulars: Vittoria Pro

Computer: ECHON

Bottle cage: Titanium

Handlebar tape: Bianchi cork

Condition: Used as display bike. Mint condition.

Year: 1998

PRICE: SOLD (February 2023)