History of Italian cycling, protagonist of “Sport Memorabilia” on 9 December live in Internet at astebolaffi.it

Aste Bolaffi is proud to announce the auction of an exclusive selection of cycling memorabilia dating back to the epic Mercatone Uno cycling team, including two of Marco Pantani’s bicycles, jerseys signed by the team champions, paintings, sculptures and cups. The 37 lots, which were originally part of the collection of the sponsor Mercatone Uno, are a special chapter of the next auction of “Sport Memorabilia”, scheduled on 9 December internet live at astebolaffi.it

The bicycles proposed are two Bianchi racing models with a special ultra-light alloy frame, thanks to Ev4 technology that made it even more rigid, weighing less than 900 grams, a record for the time, made especially for Pantani. The first bike was prepared/used during the 2000 Tour de France. With the same model Pantani won two memorable stages of that Tour: the 11th stage from Carpentras to Mont Ventoux on 13 July, arriving ahead of Lance Armstrong, and the 14th stage from Briançon to Courchevel on 16 July where he trimmed almost a minute off the same American. The second, instead, was prepared/used for the road race of the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney. The two bicycles are offered with an estimate of 25,000-30,000 euros each.

Other memorabilia at auction include a Yellow jersey from the 1998 Tour de France and two Pink jerseys from the 81st Giro d'Italia, also in 1998, signed with a dedication by Pantani, a Pink jersey from the 83rd Giro d'Italia, in 2000, and a Yellow jersey from the 1998 Tour de Suisse signed by Stefano Garzelli, as well as a lot consisting of a collection of twelve team jerseys from 1995 to 2000, plus trophies, sculptures and paintings dedicated to Pantani and the Mercatone Uno.

Marco Pantani represents a figure of undisputed importance in the history, sporting and otherwise, of our country. For this reason, the sale of the memorabilia that belonged to the great cyclist, one of the most famous Ambassadors of Mercatone Uno – necessarily through a competitive procedure, by virtue of the rules governing the Extraordinary Administration procedure to which the Group is currently subject – is an opportunity to enhance and give back assets and objects of great value to fans of this sport. In the year in which the “Pirate” would have turned 50, the rare opportunity not only to conquer a piece of Italian cycling history offered to collectors and admirers of his epic exploits, but also to associations and potential patrons who could donate the memorabilia to sports institutions and museums to keep the memory of the great climber alive.

Sport Memorabilia Auction
Wednesday 9 December 2020, 2:30 pm – live in Internet – astebolaffi.it
On display from Friday 4 to Tuesday 8 December 2020, 9:30am-1:30pm; 2:00-6:30pm (Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 excluded)
Spazio Bolaffi, Corso Verona 34/D, Turin

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