Cycling History
Cycling Museums in Italy
http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2009/03/cycling-museums-in-italy.html
Merckx at Tullio's funeral
Speech delivered by Eddie Merckx at Tullio Campagnolo's Funeral at Vicenza, February 3, 1983.
"Dear Commendatore Campagnolo, on behalf of the cyclists of all the world, of those known or unknown, I address to you from the square of this church a touched good-bye. You deserve to belong to our life's memories because, rider like us, you have known before us our fatigue and
you have helped us.
You have done it with generous intelligence that was the fruit of your goodness as a man and as entrepreneur. You have been the most faithful and precious of our helpers. You have arrived first for seven time, with me, to the goal of the Milano/Sanremo; you were with me under the snow the day I was climbing victorious, the road of the "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." I shared with you every success.
In telling you good-bye in the name of all the presents and of those who regret not being here, I wish to repeat an act of faith heard in this church. You will remain with us, riders of all ages and of all classes, as a dear and unforgettable road fellow. A good friend.
I tell it to you in a bad Italian, maybe, but with an Italian heart because, thanks to you, there is a piece of Italy with your name on all the bicycles of the world. Your memory will remain always with us.
Good-bye."
"Dear Commendatore Campagnolo, on behalf of the cyclists of all the world, of those known or unknown, I address to you from the square of this church a touched good-bye. You deserve to belong to our life's memories because, rider like us, you have known before us our fatigue and
you have helped us.
You have done it with generous intelligence that was the fruit of your goodness as a man and as entrepreneur. You have been the most faithful and precious of our helpers. You have arrived first for seven time, with me, to the goal of the Milano/Sanremo; you were with me under the snow the day I was climbing victorious, the road of the "Tre Cime di Lavaredo." I shared with you every success.
In telling you good-bye in the name of all the presents and of those who regret not being here, I wish to repeat an act of faith heard in this church. You will remain with us, riders of all ages and of all classes, as a dear and unforgettable road fellow. A good friend.
I tell it to you in a bad Italian, maybe, but with an Italian heart because, thanks to you, there is a piece of Italy with your name on all the bicycles of the world. Your memory will remain always with us.
Good-bye."
Salvarani
The Salvarani company sponsored a pro cycling team from 1963-1972. Salvarani riders wrote much of the history of pro-cycle racing in the sixties and seventies, with "corriedore" like Gimondi, Adorni, Altig, Motta Goodefroot, Panizza and others. Truly one of the "big" teams of pro cycling! In 1963 to 1965, the bicycles were (or were marked) as Magni's, which was a "sottomarche" or house brand of Chiorda. In 1967, Salvarani used Bianchi Speciallisima's as the team bikes. That puts the date at 1966 for a team bike marked as a Chiorda. The bikes used in 1968-1972 were similar, but the graphics were slightly different, although they still were the "azzura" color. De Rosa frame, labeled as a Chiorda, because it was built for the Salvarani pro team that was sponsored by Chiorda.
Wilier
One of the best known names in Italian cycling, Wilier was founded in 1906 by Pietro Dal Molin. Following WWII Wilier formed a professional cycling team led by Giordano Cottur of Trieste. In 1945 the name of the brand was changed to Wilier Triestina, and the distinctive copper colored finish became a trademark of Wilier Triestina. The great Italian cyclist Fiorenzo Magni won the 1948 Giro d’Italia upon a Wilier Triestina , followed by other notable wins for the team in 1949 and 1950. In 1952 the factory ended production and left competitive cycling; however the Wilier Triestina marque was reconstituted in 1969 and once again entered the world of competitive cycling. In 1985 and 1986 Claudio Corti won the Italian national championships, riding one of the most beautiful racing bicycles ever to grace the pelotons of professional cycling.
www.wilier.it
www.wilier-usa.com