Bianchi Mega Pro Pantani Mercatone Uno Team road bike, 54cm - 1998

This is more than a race bike—it's a piece of cycling history. The 1998 Bianchi Mega Pro L Mercatone Uno is the second-best model from Bianchi's elite Reparto Corse division. It is closely modeled on the team bike ridden by Marco Pantani, Il Pirata, during his unforgettable Giro d'Italia and Tour de France double victory that same year—a feat that remains one of the sport's most iconic achievements.

Crafted from Dedacciai 7005 heat-treated aluminum, the Mega Pro L was at the cutting edge of performance for its time. Its oversized tubing and TIG-welded construction were engineered for maximum stiffness and power transfer. The distinctive teardrop-shaped down tube and shaped stays embody a frame built for climbing aggression and sprint-ready responsiveness.

Dressed in the unmistakable yellow-and-blue Mercatone Uno team livery, this bike captures the spirit of late-'90s pro cycling, when Pantani's attacks lit up the Alps and the Pyrenees. This is not just a tribute—it's a frame born from the same workshop that produced bikes for the era's most electrifying climber.

This particular build features the coveted Campagnolo Record 9-speed titanium groupset, renowned for its mechanical precision, smooth shifting, and timeless Italian craftsmanship. With carbon fiber touches and polished alloy detailing, the gruppo complements the frame with lightweight performance and classic aesthetics.

Whether you're a collector, a rider, or a cycling romantic, the Bianchi Mega Pro L Mercatone Uno is a rare opportunity to own a machine that doesn't just tell a story—it made history.

Key features:

• Frame & fork: Dedacciai 7005 double-butted aluminum frame, size 54 cm, in Mercatone Uno Team colors, with an iridescent celeste frame and a Bianchi unicorn carbon fork
• Wheels: Campagnolo Electron clincher wheelset, 700c, 22h/24h; Vittoria Rubino Pro Graphene 2.0 tires, 700 x 25c
• Brakes: Campagnolo Record 9-speed dual pivot caliper brakes
• Cockpit: ITM Big One threadless stem, ITM Pro-260 drop bars wrapped in Bianchi embossed tape, Selle Italia TCS Evoluzione Pantani saddle on an alloy seatpost
• Drivetrain: Campagnolo Record 9-speed titanium derailleurs, 53-39t crankset, 13-23t cassette, and Ergopower shifters; Campagnolo Chorus bottom bracket
• Pedals: Sold separately

Frame details:

• 54 cm (c-c) seat tube, 56 cm (c-c) top tube, 13.5 cm head tube
• 80 cm standover height
• 130 mm rear spacing, 100 mm front spacing
• 27.2 mm seat tube diameter, 22.2 mm fork steerer diameter
• All threads of English standard
• Weight of 18.96 lbs (8.60 kg), including installed components

Seller's notes:

• The bike is pre-owned and is considered to be in good condition.
• The bike has been professionally serviced by a UBI certified bicycle technician.
• The bike has been fully overhauled with new grease, bearings, and components torqued to manufacturer specifications.
• New chain, bar tape, Jagwire cables and housing, tires, and Schwalbe lightweight tubes have been installed.
• The front and rear wheels are trued and tensioned.
• The anodized surface of the control levers shows wear at the shift paddles. See photo for a close-up.
• Scratches are visible on the anodized surface of the rear derailleur below the limit screws.
• The Big One stem is New Old Stock and comes with its original box.
• The Pantani embroidered saddle is like new and comes with its original box.
• The seatpost has visible scratches from prior use and installation.