Pantani's Bianchi

[dbmtb]

In the case of the Pantani bike, it turns out that old race photos from that year show him on alloy, rather than carbon, Ergopower levers.

It's definitely been modded since the tour.

As I recall, the famous tour bike was with red Time Titanium pedals and a PMP or Selcof seatpost as the campag one wasn't ready in time). The Ti Record seatpost came out the same year as carbon ergo levers (199 so this is likely an pre-production or early production model. Alloy Record levers were only available in 97 and they are very scarce these days.

The frame itself was notoriously fragile, with numerous breakages - considered to be a one-season frame within the trade.

A "replica" bike came out in a limited edition with nearly identical spec a few months after the tour.

 

[FMJ]

I like the embroidered seat, but an sure it was an add on.