Bianchi, Fausto Coppi, and the Birth of Italian Cycling Style

Bianchi, Fausto Coppi, and the Birth of Italian Cycling Style

In the world of cycling, few names carry as much legacy and elegance as Bianchi. With its signature celeste blue and a history that spans over 130 years, Bianchi is more than a bike brand—it is a cultural icon.

And at the heart of this legend is Fausto Coppi, the man who brought Italian cycling style and dominance to the world stage.


The Celeste Dream Begins

Founded in Milan in 1885, Bianchi is the oldest bicycle manufacturer still in existence. But it was in the post-war years that the brand’s identity was truly cemented.

The soft, almost heavenly celeste color became instantly recognizable, a hue that came to symbolize Italian craftsmanship, beauty, and speed.

Bianchi bicycles weren’t just winning races—they were redefining how cycling looked and felt.


Enter Il Campionissimo

Fausto Coppi, known as “Il Campionissimo” (The Champion of Champions), was the perfect ambassador for Bianchi. Tall, lean, and elegant on the bike, Coppi rode with a grace that made him a national hero and a global phenomenon.

Riding for Bianchi, he won the Giro d’Italia five times and the Tour de France twice.

But more than titles, it was the style with which he won that left a mark. Coppi embodied a post-war Italy craving hope and pride, and he brought both in stunning fashion. His image in a celeste jersey, gliding over the Alps, became iconic.


Where Performance Meets Elegance

Unlike today’s tech-driven kits, the jerseys of Coppi’s era were woolen, simple, and dignified. The Bianchi jersey he wore—sky blue with understated logos—was both functional and poetic. It became a visual signature of Italian cycling style: clean, confident, and unmistakably classy.

As Coppi battled rivals like Gino Bartali and conquered epic stages, his image was captured in black-and-white photos that now look like fashion spreads. He was more than a cyclist—he was a symbol of style, modernity, and determination.


The Enduring Legacy

Today, retro Bianchi jerseys are prized pieces in any cycling collection. Whether worn on vintage rides like L’Eroica or displayed with pride, they represent a golden age of cycling where beauty and performance were inseparable.

Fausto Coppi’s legacy lives on—not just in trophies and records, but in every rider who pulls on a celeste jersey and rides with pride.

At pullingturns.com, we celebrate this heritage with authentic and inspired vintage jerseys that let you channel the greats of the past. Discover the magic of Coppi and Bianchi—and ride in timeless style.

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