Bianchi Bicycles

Celeste--also known as Bianchi blue--is Bianchi's signature color. The word itself is Latin for "heavenly" (think celestial bliss). There are several theories as to how and why Edoardo Bianchi settled on this distinctive shade of turquoise as the hue with which to primp his bicycles.

Two theories are related to Queen Margherita, who commissioned Bianchi to build her a bicycle in 1895. One of the theories states that the bike was painted the Queens favorite color, and when the other members of the court saw her celeste Bianchi, no other color would do. The other has it that Bianchi was striving to match the tint of the Queens beautiful eyes. There is also a theory that "Bianchi blue" is meant to evoke the patina of Milano's skies.

A popular, but more prosaic story claims that after World War I, or II (there are both versions) Bianchi had a surplus of green paint, and this was mixed with blue to create celeste, which he slathered on a large number of his bicycles in order to use the stuff up, and in the process, unwittingly created an icon. The fact that there is a celeste Bianchi which Lucien Petit-Breton rode to victory in the first Milano-San Remo race in 1907 in Milan's Museum of Science and Technology would seem to cast some doubt on this theory.

Of course, the only way to get a definitive answer as to the true origins of "Bianchi blue" would be to ask Edoardo Bianchi himself, but that's not a plausible solution seeing as he went to his own celestial reward over half a century ago. So, those of us left here are earth can only theorize and mythologize.

But, what's in a color? Wouldn't a Bianchi in any other hue ride as sweet? Well, yes, definitely. All of Bianchi's colors are exceedingly attractive. Actually, there are people who find celeste a strange color for a bicycle. I did at first. I got my first and second Bianchi in silver and dark blue, respectively. But like many green things, (I find celeste to be more green than blue) it grows on you. Right now I've got my eye on a Bianchi sport bike, the "Camaleonte", that comes in white, black or celeste, and if I do end up buying it, I'll certainly opt for the celeste.

Bianchi Reparto Corse continues to pursue technological development and constant research, taking advantage of new concepts and targets achieved to deliver ultimate performance to its customers, professional and amateur alike.

Bianchi Reparto Corse is the utmost expression of the "celeste" philosophy. At Bianchi everything is home-made, an unrelenting activity of tests and experiments takes place at every production stage, from the design of the tubes section all the way through to the release of the finished product.

All frames share the same philosophy in order to maximize the product's potential, taking into account its final destination, from the most cutting-edge prototype design to the entry-level production version.

Tubing is therefore machined to the most suitable dimensions and gauges. The differences between a top range frame and one conceived for a more popular clientele are the weight, the materials, the tubes sections and the type of welding.

But all the bicycles from Reparto Corse share a unique, identical shape concept; they all come from the same design, whatever their base material is: aluminum, steel, carbon or titanium.

Road:
12 Giro d'Italia
3 Tour de France

19 Milano - Sanremo
16 Giro di Lombardia

7 Parigi - Rubaix
4 Liegi - Bastogne - Liegi

5 Flèche Wallonne
4 Amstel Gold Race

4 Grand Prix
2 Vuelta de España

2 Tour of Switzerland
2 Tour of Germany

4 Road World Championship
6 Track World Championships, speed and pursuit

2 Vuelta Pais Vasco
1 UCI Pro Tour
2 Gand Wevelgem

MTB:
1 Olympic Games Athens 2004 Gold Medal
9 World championship

9 European championship
3 World championship XCO

2 World championship XCM
25 Italian championship

13 National championship
189 First placements