Custom and historic saddles from Selle Italia — gallery

<source media="(max-width: 320px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=160%2C208, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=320%2C416 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=480%2C624 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=640%2C832 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 375px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=190%2C247, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=380%2C494 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=570%2C741 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 425px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=215%2C279, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=430%2C559 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=645%2C838 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=692%2C900 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 768px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=590%2C767 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=693%2C900 3x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(max-width: 992px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=136%2C176, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=272%2C353 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=408%2C530 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=544%2C707 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <source media="(min-width: 993px)" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=155%2C201, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=310%2C403 2x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=465%2C604 3x, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C806 4x" type="image/jpeg"> <img class="wp-image-307985 size-portrait_thumbnail image-handler__image image-handler__image--aspect no-wrap js-gallery-grid-src-image" src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&resize=295%2C383" width="295" height="383" data-crop-width="" data-crop-height="" alt="Possibly one of the most famous racing saddles in history: Marco Pantani's The Pirate" title="dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c" style="width: auto; height: 100%;"> Possibly one of the most famous racing saddles in history: Marco Pantani’s The Pirate Josh Evans/Immediate Media

This article first appeared on Cyclingnews .

Founded just outside of Milan in 1897, Selle Italia has been producing bicycle saddles for more than 120 years.

Early traditional designs constructed from leather and steel were the foundation of the brand, but after being bought by the current owner in the late 1970s, the company was revolutionised and now focuses on leisure cycling and racing.

As well as pushing the boundaries in using titanium, carbon and other materials to improve comfort and performance, Selle Italia has also made a name for itself producing custom saddles for the biggest names in cycling.

How to choose a bike saddle A buyer’s guide to getting the best road bike saddle Best women’s bike saddle: a buyer’s guide <img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-307985 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Possibly one of the most famous racing saddles in history: Marco Pantani's The Pirate" title="dsc_0820-1526910999050-1jevy3uwtx915-f160a7c" data-source-name="Josh Evans/Immediate Media"> Possibly one of the most famous racing saddles in history: Marco Pantani’s The Pirate Josh Evans/Immediate Media Marco Pantani ‘s ‘Il Pirata’ yellow saddle is one of the most recognisable custom saddles ever made and is proudly displayed at Selle Italia’s headquarters, to the east of Bassano del Grappa in the Treviso region of Northern Italy.

Alongside Pantani’s saddle, Selle Italia displays its custom creations for Jan Ullrich , Richard Virenque, Bernard Hinault, Alexandre Vinokourov, Mario Cipollini, Alejandro Valverde, Alberto Contador and more.

<img src="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=1600,900&background=white" srcset="https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=1456,819&background=white 1456w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=1112,625&background=white 1112w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=940,528&background=white 940w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=728,409&background=white 728w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=556,312&background=white 556w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=355,199&background=white 355w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=340,191&background=white 340w, https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/21/2019/03/dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a.jpg?quality=90&lb=320,180&background=white 320w, " sizes="(min-width: 992px) 940px, (min-width: 768px) 728px, (min-width: 576px) 556px, calc(100vw - 20px)" width="1600" height="900" class="wp-image-308013 alignnone size-full img-container__image" alt="Mario Cipollini's 'The King Lion'" title="dsc_0821-1526910999053-1qtfdwr0cv9xg-aab7d2a" data-source-name="Josh Evans/Immediate Media"> Mario Cipollini’s ‘The King Lion’ Josh Evans/Immediate Media Click or swipe through the gallery above for a closer look at the custom and historic saddles from Selle Italia.