Wilier Triestina Marco Pantani – Tour de France 1997

Marco Pantani rode for the Mercatone Uno team in 1997, sponsored by Wilier at the time.
Their best frames for pro teams were made of Easton Elite 7005 aluminum with ProGram Taperwall tubing, and were arguably the best aluminum at the time. The frame of the Wilier is adorned with the Easton label like a badge of honor. The frames were manufactured in Van Nuys, California. In those days, aluminum was the preferred material for professional teams.

We proudly present one of the most iconic bikes in cycling history, the Wilier Triestina Easton Alpe d’Huez 1997 Marco Pantani bike.

Selle Italia hubs Alpina Slim RS-16 on the front and rear hub Alpina RR-1 with Ambrosio Nemesis rims with Vittoria tubulars. Only the top components were good enough for such a machine: Selcof Titanium seatpost, “The Pirate” saddle, custom Selle Italia TCS Kevlar, Stem 3TTT Pro Titanium Ahead, LOOK PP286 Road pedals, used by Marco Pantani during the 1997 Tour de France.

“Marco climbed the Alpe d’Huez in 37 minutes and 35 seconds, which is still a record for climbing,” says Gastaldello, Wilier’s CEO. “It was a very good time for Wilier, a big boost to our growth in the international markets as everyone was watching this stage and this guy and looking at this bike. The frame weighed 1,200 grams was one of the first TIG-welded frames.