In 1999, the Mega Pro XL was introduced to the market, celebrating the Giro-Tour double with a Dedacciai SC 61.10a frame in the characteristic 1998 color scheme and featuring the innovation of carbon levers for the Campagnolo Record 9-speed groupset, a combination that remained active only for 1999. For racing, the Mega Pro XL EV2 made its debut, a bike that gathered and synthesized Marco's accumulated experience up to that point. Throughout 1998, Bianchi Reparto Corse and Campagnolo worked tirelessly to perfect the ideal bike for the Romagnolo climber. After testing and discarding over 20 frames with different geometries, they arrived at a design that perfectly suited the physical and racing characteristics of the champion. Pantani was short but with disproportionately long legs, and he used to continuously attack uphill while standing on the pedals, gripping the lower part of the handlebar in a pendulum-like movement, characteristic of him. Through this technique, he managed to leave his opponents behind, laying the foundation for his victories in the Grand Tours. Such a unique riding style required a specific bike, and after many years of racing and misfortunes, finally, the champion was able to collaborate with Bianchi to create his perfect bike, forming an unbeatable combination. In 1999, his dominance at the Giro d'Italia was total, with Mercatone Uno being the perfect team in service of the captain who dethroned every opponent. One of the most epic episodes in cycling history took place during the ascent to the sanctuary of Oropa following a chain fall. Ten minutes of continuous attacks saw Pantani pass each of his incredulous opponents one by one, until he won the stage solo. From 1999, Marco used a dual livery. The first part of the season, until the first week of the Giro, was faced with the bike featuring the color scheme of the previous year but with the components of the current year. Then, the current year's color scheme, commonly referred to as Oropa and considered by many as the most beautiful, was introduced on the market the following year. The PMP accessories were not seen; Campagnolo provided the titanium seat post and lightweight quick-release wheels, while Bianchi took care of the seat collar. The Campagnolo Record Carbon seat post made its first appearance, replacing titanium only in 2001. Campagnolo completely renewed its wheel range. The new UCI regulations banned spokes fewer than 14, so the Shamal and Bora wheels featured 14-16 spokes in a new black line. The Nucleon was introduced, replacing the Electron as the flagship for the future with new asymmetric hubs, rims, and flat spokes. It became the benchmark wheel for many years to come. The lenticular Ghibli received a new graphic design. The Time Equipe Pro fork had a raw carbon finish, unlike in 1998 when it had a light blue-yellow color scheme consistent with the frame. Carbon was also used for the fork steerer tube instead of steel as in 1998. ITM switched from the 260 bend to the 7075 Ergal Strada while alternating between the yellow Big One and the new Millennium stem. Finally, 1999 brought us a new saddle adorned with stars to celebrate the double victory, and the Echo W1 cycle computer made its debut, marking the first appearance of wireless technology, replacing the J7. Commercially, the 1999 graphics were introduced to the market in 2000 with the Bianchi XL Carbon fork and were equipped with both the Campagnolo Record 9-speed and 10-speed groupsets. Sturdier and more reliable than the SC, the 1999 model with semi-integrated headset continued to suffer from fractures in the steerer tube, albeit less frequently. 1999 also saw the evolution of the titanium frame, transitioning from the Mega Pro Ti to the XL Titanium, a solution used in training by Marco, of whom there are rare photos riding this raw brushed titanium bike with yellow graphics.
GALLERY