Project Bike: Pinarello FP Quattro and Campagnolo Centaur Gravel Bike

Pinarello FP Quattro Carbon Fibre Monocoque Gravel Bike Small 51.5cm equipped with Campagnolo Centaur 10-Speed Groupset.

The Italian bike-house of Pinarello is yet another example of a bicycle company born from the deep heart of a man with a passion for the simple art of bicycles. Born in 1922, Nani (Giovanni) Pinarello won his first esteemed road bicycle race at age 20, and four years later in 1946 turned professional, wearing the black jersey in the 34th edition of the Giro D’Italia in 1953.

What’s this black jersey you may ask? The Maglia Nera has particular symbolism, akin to the lanterne rouge in the Tour de France…

Nani was the last racer ever to be awarded the black jersey during its 6-year presence from 1946-1951, so it could be said its carriage is left upon his shoulders, the last man to finish the 34th Giro race and the last man to ever don the jersey.

The jersey’s story itself gives light to a whole other sense of character and playfulness, and you’ll soon learn why the Pinarello FP Quattro Gravel Bike is so fittingly displayed in the Mornington Peninsula’s Rye-based gin and vodka distillery, Penni Ave Distillery.

You might think oh the shame of being the last man in the race, who would want to be tarnished with the black brush of the peloton’s wooden spoon? Have you ever tried, like really tried to come last in a competition? It’s almost as difficult as the win.

In the 6-years the maglia nera was awarded and worn, hard-fought battles to waste the maximum time available each stage, but just sneaking in before the time limit to avoid disqualification, was epitomised by hiding in bars, ducking into barns, having a snooze behind a hedge, or even sagging your tyres to the rim. This was real competition in the spirit of wacky races, The Red Max taking stage, or Peter Perfect in the Turbo Terrific, who knows, but surely there were enough fans to encourage Dick Dastardly and Muttley endless sniggering. This was a special ability laced in the black jersey, the art of remaining undiscovered.

Undiscovered was not how Pinarello bicycles became however. Following the demise of his race team, in 1953 Nani opens his first workshop in Catena di Villorba around 50kms north of Venice. Cicli Pinarello opens the doors to the world, and art, of bicycle production and sales.

Wiling and toiling away, it’s not until 1961 that the artisanal production ramps up in a warehouse near his home, and the stress, hard work and ideas keep mounting. The Pinarello at last sees its first win in a title race that year, but it’s a long time coming before 1975 ticks over and then Fausto Bertoglio takes out the Maglia Rosa winner’s jersey of the Giro D’Italia to give Pinarello bikes the first glimmer of Grand Tour halos.