Marco Pantani (Mercatone Uno) rode his custom Bianchi to victory in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in 1998Daniel Benson/BikeRadar
This isn’t just a production bike emblazoned in team livery and with a rider’s name on it – it was a full custom build made just for PantaniDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
This head tube badge is hardly necessary as an identifier given the classic celeste paintDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Bianchi built Pantani’s frame with double-butted aluminium tubing from DedacciaiDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The top tube is essentially round from end to endDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
These chainstays look relatively small compared to modern carbon bikes but that didn’t stop Pantani from flying up the mountainsidesDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The modestly shaped stays are joined with TIG-welded aluminium dropoutsDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The round seat tube looks decidedly traditional compared to modern aero shapesDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Bianchi’s Mega Pro down tube profile started out round at the head tube then switched to a slight teardrop shape in the middle before ovalising at the bottom bracket shellDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The bottom bracket area on Pantani’s bike highlights the technology of the day with a standard Italian-threaded shell surrounding a square-taper bottom bracketDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The popularity of integrated brake/shift levers has made down tube stops like this mostly a thing of the past but back in the day, these Campagnolo bits were among the finest examples of the breedDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
A Time carbon fork is used up frontDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The cockpit consists of a non-oversized alloy bar and TIG-welded alloy stem – both by ITMDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Nine-speed Campagnolo Record Ergopower levers are mounted low on the barsDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
ITM’s blocky Big One stem was a popular choice back in the late ’90sDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Pantani’s bike is fitted with dual-pivot Campagnolo brakes both front and rear, in contrast to newer versions that use a lighter single-pivot rear calliperDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The Campagnolo Electron wheels use box-section alloy rims for light weight and a smooth ride – perfect characteristics for a wispy climber like PantaniDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The polished alloy Campagnolo Electron front hub includes a central grease port for easy servicingDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The Electron rims bear no machined sidewalls and the stainless steel spokes are secured with brass nipplesDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Some things never change: Vittoria’s Corsa EVO CX tubular is a top choice among today’s pros, just as its predecessor was back in the dayDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The 170mm-long Campagnolo Record cranks are fitted with enormous 44/54T chainringsDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Pantani applied the power through a pair of Time Equipe Mag pedalsDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Where’s the carbon? Back in the mid-90s, forged aluminium was the material of choice in most situationsDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Pantani’s trademark attacking style and bandana earned him one of the most memorable nicknames in cyclingDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
The titanium mast on the Campagnolo Record seatpost is topped by an elegant setback forged alloy headDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Pantani’s machine – and his memory – live on in a corner of Bianchi’s private museumDaniel Benson/BikeRadar
Marco Pantani’s Mercatone Uno Bianchi Mega Pro XL Reparto Corse was tailor-made for the wispy climber’s attacking style and slight build and epitomises the cycling technology of the day.
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The custom-built bike was light, stiff enough and crafted to perfection, and ultimately carried ‘Il Pirata’ to the top step of the podium in both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia in 1998, earning a firm place in cycling history.
Bianchi’s Reparto Corse race shop built the custom frame to Pantani’s exact specifications, using a lightweight Dedacciai doubled-butted 7000-series shaped alloy tubeset, a very slightly sloping geometry and a relatively generous head tube to suit the Italian’s aggressive in-the-drops climbing style.
Convention was the rule back then, rather than the exception, with a standard threaded bottom bracket shell, non-integrated 1in head tube, telescoping 27.2mm seat tube, and well-proven tube shapes that ventured only slightly away from round in select areas. Aerodynamics was barely even a concern a decade ago outside of time trials.
Aluminium was the material of choice throughout for its predictable durability, from the beautifully polished Campagnolo Record drivetrain and dual-pivot brake calipers to the tubular ITM Big One stem and standard-diameter handlebar – and even the Campagnolo Electron tubular wheels.
The Campagnolo Electron wheels use box-section alloy rims for light weight and a smooth ride – perfect characteristics for a wispy climber like Pantani.Daniel Benson/BikeRadar
Looking shockingly minimal in comparison to currently fashionable deep-section carbon, the Electron’s box-section rims were ideally suited to a rider of Pantani’s nature: they had low inertia for rapid accelerations, they were comfortable over the long haul for such a light rider, and they were easily serviceable with grease injection ports front and rear, readily replaceable components and a tubular tyre bed that offered a more reliable bond than carbon.
A Time carbon fork is used up front.Daniel Benson/BikeRadar
More exotic materials can still be found, though in limited quantities. Carbon fibre was used for the Time fork and nine-speed Record Ergopower levers – though this may have been a post-season change as most race photos from the time show alloy ones – the Time Equipe Pro pedals sported magnesium bodies, and titanium was used in the seatpost mast and rear cogs.
Though not super-stiff compared to today’s carbon fibre machines, Pantani’s bike was undeniably light, even by modern standards. Total weight was just 6.96kg (15.34lb), including bottle cage and pedals.
The 170mm-long Campagnolo Record cranks are fitted with enormous 44/54T chainrings.Daniel Benson/BikeRadar
That light weight obviously helped Pantani up the mountain but somewhat surprising is the massive gearing he used to do so. The cassette spread is a fairly standard 11-23T but the chainrings measure a comparatively enormous 54/44T – something more commonly found on a time trial bike but assuming they’re period-correct, perhaps still appropriate to Pantani’s out-of-the-saddle climbing style.