WILIER MERCATONE UNO ALPE D'HUEZ ELITE EASTON PANTANI 1997

WILIER MERCATONE UNO ALPE D'HUEZ ELITE EASTON PANTANI 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 Easton Alpe d'Huez Elite bike - almost identical to the 1997 Marco Pantani bike. Radical wheel shading on Mavic rims. Only the top components were good enough for such a machine: Selcof Titanium seatpost, “The Pirate” saddle, custom Selle Italia TCS Kevlar, 3T cockpit, LOOK pedals, exactly what Marco Pantani used during the 1997 Tour de France. The icing on the cake is the new Coca-Cola bottle from those years, the same one used by Marco Pantani during the 1997 Tour de France.

A unique chance for all Pantani fans to get this amazing bike, all original paint, perfect condition.

Crafted from Easton Elite Taperwall 7005 series aluminum, one of the most advanced aluminum alloys of its time, this bike could be one of the lightest on the 1997 Tour de France start line. By the time Marco Pantani reached the summit of Alpe d'Huez in stage 13, he was by far the fastest.

"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.

Pantani fans will recognize the "Il Pirata" emblem on the frame and custom-embroidered on the saddle, but there are other subtle touches characteristic of the Italian climber. First, an analog indicator located in the armor cable housing indicated the gear selection through the movement of the needle cable, visible through a plastic window, a bit like a pressure gauge. Second, the wheels have exceeded serious limits. They were so thin that they would break under heavier players. But for Pantani there was no problem. It may seem normal now, but these wheels weighed less than 1,500 g and had 32 spokes.

Size

-seat tube (c-t): 54,5cm -top tube (c-c): 52cm -headset tube: 12,5cm -standover: 78cm

Weight

7900 g

Frame

Wilier Mercatone Uno - Alpe d'Huez Elite (Easton Elite 7005)

Fork

Wilier Mercatone Uno - Alpe d'Huez Elite (Easton Elite 7005)

Wheels

Hubs: Dura-Ace 7700 Rims: Mavic Open PRO SUP

Crankset

Shimano Dura Ace 7700 (172.5mm ; 53/39)

Derailleur rear

Shimano Dura Ace 7700

Derailleur front

Shimano Dura Ace 7700

Cassette

Shimano Dura Ace 7700 - 11-26 - 9v

Shifters

Shimano Dura Ace 7700

Brakes

Shimano Dura Ace 7700

Handlebar

3T Forma SL - 420mm

Stem

3T Forged

Seatpost

Selcof Titanium

Saddle

Selle Italia TCS Evoluzione Kevlar - Marco Pantani ”Il Pirata”