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18 February 2006

The Celeste Bianchi Factory

Passione Celeste

Arriving in Treviglio you know you are in Bianchi's backyard, walk around and you start to notice that every city bike is Bianchi labeled. Pass the pasticcieria for some sweets and you will see a beat-up black Bianchi, pass the tabaccheria for stamps and you will see a white classic Bianchi with red letters... They are everywhere! Then to find your way to the factory just ask any local and they will know, their brother, uncle or grandfather probably even worked there.

"Are you going to see signor Brambilla?" This was the response we got when we asked directions. Davide Brambilla, managing director of Bianchi, oversees operations at the big celeste building that proudly says "120 Anni in Fuga" on the outside. They have been in the business for a long time and they are one of the most historical frame manufacturers in the world. The greenish color and name are tightly woven into the fabric of cycling.

Brambilla explained over a caffè that they do it all, from city bikes to the high-end race machines used by Liquigas. Their material pallet is not limited, depending on the frame requirements they create their bikes from steel, aluminum, carbon and titanium. We saw the classic black Smeraldo steel frames and then looked up to see the Liquigas green team bikes that are waiting for their riders.

Celeste Race History

Bianchi started a relationship with the team in 2005 which has helped them refine their aluminum FG Lite and carbon D2 Crono. They get feedback from riders like Danilo Di Luca and big Magnus Backstedt. Of course they also supply a special painted tricolore frame for Enrico Gasparotto, the Italian Champion.

Their history goes back much further than Liquigas, they were on the scene in the days of Fausto Coppi. We had a chance to meet with Bruno in the museum, his genuine enthusiasm shows in the bikes that are kept in his stable. Under his care are the past machines of Magnus Backstedt, Jan Ullrich, Marco Pantani, Gianni Bugno and Moreno Argentin.

"Here, touch this frame of Coppi." - Bruno, referring to Coppi's classic Bianchi.

"Here, touch this frame of Coppi." Bruno's point was well taken, the frame spoke volumes of race and Bianchi history. Or look at the black 2003 Bianchi of Jan Ullrich, that special year when he departed from T-Mobile to ride for Team Coast/Bianchi. The year when he was once again dominant in the Tour de France and put Lance Armstrong on the ropes in the Cap' Découverte time trial. Or imagine the stress that the big titanium frame of Backstedt went through in the 2004 Paris-Roubaix before he crossed the line in victory.

It is all there in the big celeste Bianchi factory. The craftsmen draw passion from the past frames and continue to create race wining frames for Liquigas and their worldwide customers. It is an Italian passion that must be ridden at least once in your life.

More Photos:
Aluminum Tubes, photo: BiciRace.com
Factory, photo: BiciRace.com
For Gasparotto, photo: BiciRace.com

RBK-RulloBike.com is a great source for cool Bianchi bikes!