BIANCHI XL EV2 Reparto Corse – M.Pantani Mercatone Uno replica (1999-00) – 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.

Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) at the Giro 1999 on his Bianchi XL EV2

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  XL EV2 Reparto Corse is made of lightweight triple-butted alloy shaped tubeset. Aluminum was the material of choice back then, even his biggets rival Lance Armstrong rode full carbon Trek 5500 that season. XL EV2 met Pantani’s  specifications with slightly sloping geometry, and a relatively short head tube to suit his aggressive in-the-drops climbing style. Though not super-stiff as compared to today’s carbon fiber machines, Pantani’s bike was light, even by modern standards.

Happy to present a legendary late 1990s Bianchi’s racing machine  racing, the BIANCHI XL EV2 Reparto Corse Mercatone Uno. M.Pantani was using almost identical bike in 1999 and early 2000. The whole bike looks amazing, from original Mercatone Uno paintjob, beautiful combination of polished /carbon Campagnolo Record 10s groupset, Pantani’s personalized Selle Italia Flite saddle, Time Equipe Mag pedals, ITM Millenium stem and handlebar, Campagnolo Electron wheels, Selle Flite Pantani saddle. Almost identical size of the Pantani’s bike as well. No much words needed.

Great chance for all Pantani fans to get this extraordinary piece.

Frame / Fork: Bianchi XL EV2 Reparto Corse Mercatone Uno

Size:

– seat tube (c-t): 52.2 cm

– top tube (c-c): 53.2 cm

– headset tube: 12.3 cm

– standover: 77 cm

Wheelset: Campagnolo Electron

Crankset: Campagnolo Record (53/39)

Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Record 10s

Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record 10s

Levers: Campagnolo Record 10s

Brakes: Campagnolo Record 10s

Pedals: Time Equipe Mag

Stem: ITM Millenium 120 mm

Handlebar: ITM Millenium 7075

Seatpost: Campagnolo Record Titanium (27,2mm)

Seat: Selle Italia Flite ”Il Pirata”

Handlebar tape: Bianchi cork

Year: 1999-2000

Condition: Used, but very good condition. Original paint and decals. No cracks, no dents, not bent. Groupset is in excellent condition.

Price: SOLD (January 2023)