Ernesto Colnago’s 91st birthday at La Collezione , Cambiago

I was fortunate to get invited to the Master’s 91st birthday at his museum, La Collezione in Cambiago by his grandson, Alessandro Brambilla…

Ernesto Colnago’s 91st birthday invite.

I was happy to see my friend Sr Alex Colnago, son of Paolino Colnago (Ernesto’s little brother)…

Alex Colnago

Here with Alessandro Brambilla , Ernesto’s grandson

Alex and Alessandro Brambilla Colnago

Also good to see my friend Sr Antonio Colombo..

Sr Antonio Colombo

Seen here with The Master …

Sr Colnago cutting the cake
Great to see Sr Gianni Motta again

Mr Stash and Nadir , the man who put the “Look Ma No Brakes” art exhibition in Toronto together , bring Mr Stash and Futura to design decor for Colnago Master Pista frames , and two roadbikes

Bikes at La Collezione from Futura and Mr Stash …

The collection at La Collezione…

Nadir ‘La Carerra’ and Mr Stash

Mr Stash art at La Collezione….

The Saronni Goodwood Super confirmed

1982 Colnago Super ‘Profil’ , Goodwood ‘82 World Champion Beppe Saronni bike.

(Photo author , at La Collezione private preview , 12/22)

A while back a bicycle enthusiast contacted me for Colnago information , stating he was writing an article , and wanted to link to my site (here). I refused, deciding it was plagiaristic and lazy.

Following one post which was written in 2020 and completely misleading, with false information, and seeing the writer choose to reference me , I sent confirmation of what Colnago stated the bike that won Goodwood is on their official Facebook page in 2021 .

The writer did not correct the misleading article once made aware, so it will now be addressed properly here.

“SARONNI’S 1982 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BIKE CONFIRMED “


Part of this confusion can be attributed to a sign that is attached to Saronni’s bike in the Colnago museum that says ‘SUPER – Acciaio’ which translates as ‘SUPER – Steel’. However, if you visit the Colnago website ‘Hall of Fame’ page, you will see Saronni’s 1982 World Championship bike with a caption saying he won this race on a Mexico. These two pieces of information are conflicting.

So I emailed Colnago with the question: Which bike was it, a Super (Profil) or Nuovo Mexico? I received a reply from Colnago’s Chief Press Officer advising that Saronni’s bike was a ‘New Mexico’, the website it correct, the placard in the museum was incorrect. So ‘case closed’ – you would expect.

However, I was recently contacted by a vintage bike enthusiast (refer comments section below) whom has written a long article discussing this same topic. The premise of his article contradicts the information presented on Colango’s website. The author states that he has confirmed with Mr. Alex Colnago and Mr. Saronni that the bike used to win these world championships was definitely a Super – that featured crimped tubes.

So, like you, I’m a bit puzzled as I would expect Colnago to be an authoritative source about their own cycling history?”

(Quote “Rouler” , author Cycling Obsession)

Well , the writer has no contact with the Colnago family , and never met Saronni to ask him .

Soon after , the official Colnago Goodwood info was posted …

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02JKpnS5Co5hWCKD7Jg3BJppRKZjpu8RX5aqZuooxqVPf4b8BUxV2LXTWsJkG8tpRcl&id=368678269130

The author posts a renovation thread , the only one on the whole site , re. a 1st gen circa ‘83/84 Nuovo Mexico , again with misleading info…

“The Nuovo Mexico is widely associated with Giuseppe (Beppe) Saronni and his successful Del Tongo team who raced on Colnago bikes. The Nuovo Mexico was no doubt instrumental in some of his victories which include the 1983 Giro d’Italia and Milan-San Rem”

As the above Colnago social media post states , Sarroni won the 83 Giro on a Super Profil.

Regarding “contradicts information”, one can find more misinformation on the authors site , eg, the C40 .

The first edition C40 had completely round tubes. As seen on one of the examples I owned….

https://www.flickr.com/gp/58441410@N04/D90M812jUo

Here in the writers article, he completely dismisses this as the first version C40 , simply because he hasn’t seen one ‘in the flesh’, or the correct catalogue …

“Colnago C40 Prototype (pre-1994)

When researching the C40 on the internet, there is mention of an earlier carbon lugged frame with round carbon tubes rather than the Master profile tubes usually found on the C40. However, I decided to only include C40 frames in this article that were listed in the Colnago catalogs and were therefore widely available to the general public.”

Quite arrogant to try and re write the history of one of the most iconic carbon racebikes .

Because of the authors lack of grasp of truth, one has to question his whole site . Titled as this…

“COLNAGO C40 – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE”

It clearly is not , it’s just an opinion of the C40 .

La Collezione opening , Cambiago

The other Sunday (December 18th) I went to Cambiago , Milan for the afternoon to attend the opening of Sr Ernesto Colnago’s collection at it’s new, publicly accessible home, La Collezione…

I thanked Sr Colnago again, he was in good spirits.

I also thanked Alessandro Brambilla ..

Alessandro Brambilla Colnago

The opening was attended by a small crowd, mainly familiar friendly faces. 2023 will see it open to the public, and become a UN site for World Cycling day.

All the best bikes Sr Colnago produced were there …

Novo Eroica Prosecco Hills 2022

Rabobank Team Colnago Lux Dream CX

At the beginning of May, I flew to Venice to attend the Novo Eroica Prosecco Hills gravel ride. I took my Colnago Rabonbank Team Lux Dream CX , which I ‘gravel-ised’ with an XTR long cage mtb rear derailleur and a large ratio sprocket cassette.

I turned up at the start point the day before the ride, on Saturday, and was fortunate to bump into some friends .

Davide and Paolo ….

Davide organises the Cicli Eroica cycling club and said there was a club ride that afternoon, and I was welcome to attend . I didn’t bring any ride kit, so I got what I could at one of the event stalls and got ready to roll…

Colnago Rabobank Team Lux Dream CX

At the start of the ride I met a nice couple with some beautiful bikes, a Wilier Triestina made with Columbus MS , one of only two tube sets from Gilco Design…

Wilier Triestina Columbus MS

And a Grandis . An artisan brand from fair Verona, and where Mario Confente started out frame building…

Grandis of Verona

Fine features on the frame, I actually managed to find one myself later in the year…

So, we set off into the Prosecco hills ,

Eroica founder Sr Giancarlo Brocci

It was great to see Eroica founder Sr Giancarlo Brocci and have the honour of riding with him…

Sr Brocci, Novo Eroica Prosecco Hills 2022

Along the way my chain broke

When I got to a ride stop my photo was taken. When the chain broke, my hand were covered in oil. Not wishing to soil my new kit , I rubbed my hands on my face for a joke. At a later stop I managed to wash my face …

Novo Eroica Prosecco Hills 2022

Sunday was the main ride, which was through some stunning scenery…

Novo Eroica Prosecco Hills 2022

I look forward to the next time!

Happy Birthday Mr Colnago

I was blessed to have been invited to the London unveiling of a very , very special road bike ….

Made in honour of Mr Ernesto Colnago ‘s 87 th birthday ,

A one of a kind Colnago ‘ 87 ‘ , a 24 carat gold plated 2nd generation Colnago Arabesque , with Campagnolo 50 th anniversary gruppo …

I managed to wish Mr Colnago happy birthday …

And thanked Mr Alex Colnago …

And I managed to meet the Steve McQueen of pro cycling , Mr Giuseppe ‘ Beppe ‘ Saronni ,

Happy Birthday Mr Colnago , thanks for the joy you bring !