BICYCLES FOR GRAND CHAMPIONS
ANTONIO MASPES
Faliero Masi mentored Maspes in his formative years, having identified a unique level of dedication in the teenager that suggested great potential. And Maspes didn’t need much by way of motivation. Having won a bronze medal at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952 in the tandem classification, Maspes’ solo performances went from strength to strength. Through the 1950s and ’60s he dominated the international specialist sprint scene, winning no fewer than seven professional world titles. Many of the bikes that
FIORENZO MAGNI
Fiorenzo Magni was an outstanding Italian racing cyclist who was active in the 1940s and 1950s and is one of the most famous Masi champions. Magni was also known for his exceptional resilience and iron will. In the 1950 Tour de France, he became famous for his bravery as he rode on and finished the race despite a broken collarbone. His victories helped to strengthen the reputation of the Masi brand and consolidate its presence in professional cycling.
FAUSTO COPPI
In the mid-1950s, Masi and Coppi began a highly productive collaboration that spanned five years. Coppi relied on Faliero's unique methods to find improvements and refinements in his racing geometry. In 1956, Coppi brought Masi onto his new team, a collaboration with Turin-based aperitif manufacturer Carpano. As Carpano-Coppi's chief mechanic, Masi designed and built road and track racing bikes for Campionissimo and his formidable team, which included Ferdi Kubler, Milano Attori and Michele Gismondi.
EDDY MERCKS
Eddy Merckx's extraordinary talent and insatiable appetite for cycling earned him the nickname 'Cannibal'. Masi made numerous customized geometries for Merckx, giving him the flexibility to choose a different bike for individual races. Of the 525 race wins Merckx achieved in his illustrious professional career, including overall victories and the Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France, the UCI professional road race world championships and the numerous one-day classics and monument races he dominated in the late 1960s, Eddy Merckx rode a large proportion of them on bicycles designed and manufactured by Masi.
TOM SIMPSON
Tom Simpson showed his talent in prestigious races such as Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix. Highlights of his career included winning the yellow jersey in the 1962 Tour de France and victories in major races such as Bordeaux-Paris and the Giro Lombardia. Simpson was known for his meticulous preparation and rode bicycles designed by Masi. Tragically, he lost his life in the 1967 Tour de France on Mount Ventoux, which was attributed to heart complications. His legacy lives on through a memorial stone on Mount Ventoux commemorating his contribution to cycling.
VITTORIO ADORNI
In the late 1950s, a new wave of talented Italian cyclists emerged following the era of Bartali and Coppi. Vittorio Adorni, hailing from Parma, rose through the ranks with success both on the track and road. The 1965 Giro d’Italia saw Adorni's dominance, with him claiming the Maglia Rosa for twelve stages and securing victory in Milan with a substantial lead. Later, in 1968, he joined Eddy Merckx's Faema team, where he played a crucial role in supporting and mentoring Merckx. Adorni and Merckx, riding Masi-built bikes, benefited from Faliero Masi's expertise in frame design.