1970 – 1989 | Colnago

1989

C35 marks Colnago’s 35th anniversary

To celebrate 35 years of Colnago Cycles, Colnago introduces the C35, a a carbon composite frame with elegant curving lines. Developed from the work with Ferrari Engineering, the C35 becomes an oft-copied design landmark.

1987

First carbon fiber prototype

The first fruit of Colnago and Ferrari Engineering’s cooperation is the Concept bicycle, with carbon fiber tubes, composite three-spoke wheels and a gear system enclosed in the chainrings. The unusual gears make it too heavy for production, but the ideas in its frame inform all subsequent Colnago carbon biber bicycles.

1986

Colnago meets Ferrari

Realising that he should tap materials expertise from outside the bike industry, Ernesto Colnago meets Enzo Ferrari to discuss working together. An enthusiastic Enzo Ferrari tells him “You want to work in carbon fiber. That’s a good idea. It’s the future.”

1985

Zoetemelk clocks up another Colnago world championship

Joop Zoetemelk of the Kwantum-Colnago team wins the world championship in Montello aboard a Colnago. Unusually old for a world champion at 38, Zoetemelk had battled back from a crash early in his career and overcome physical problems to win the Tour de France as well as the worlds.

1983

A great start to 1983

In an almost seamless transition from 1982, Saronni starts the year by winning Milano-Sanremo.

1982

Saronni wins Goodwood worlds

One year after his defeat by Maertens, Saronni’s moment comes. He wins the world championships in a decisive last-minute breakaway, leaving top riders Greg Lemond and Sean Kelly in his wake.

1981

Colnago one-two at the worlds

In Prague Road World Championships, Freddy Maertens beats Saronni on the line. Ernesto Colnago is not that sad because they both race with his bicycles.

1980

Saronni and Colnago join GIS Gelati

Saronni changes team to GIS Gelati and Colnago goes with him. The two have a stellar season, with 30 wins.

1979

The Saronni era begins

Giuseppe ‘Beppe’ Saronni has a big win in the Tour de Romandie and then explodes into the Giro d’Italia, winning the Italian grand tour at only 21 years and 8 months. Colnago and Saronni’s close friendship endure to this day.

1975

Baronchelli wins Laigueglia

Giovanbattista Baronchelli wins the Italian Trofeo Laigueglia.

1974

Colnago’s first team

The Colnago logo appears for the first time on the on the shorts of a professional team. Ernesto Colnago parts with the Molteni team to work with Giovanbattista Baronchelli at the Scic team of Renzo Fornari. A supremely talented rider who would never quite fulfil his promise, Baronchelli loses the Giro by just twelve seconds.

1971

Merckx wins Sanremo

Belgian great Eddy Merckx wins Milano-Sanremo on a Colnago bicycle with his own name on the down tube. It was Ernesto Colnago’s idea to create a bicycle with the ace of clubs logo and Merckx’s name. In one move, Colnago started the custom bicycle boom.

1970

First Milan-Sanremo win

Michele Dancelli wins the great Italian Classic Milano-Sanremo in a solo breakaway. Behind him in the team car is an exultant Ernesto with a bicycle on his shoulder.