Bianchi celebrated the last day at work of masterful frames’ specialist as a long-service award leaving an unbelievable list of souvenirs, anecdotes and valuable heritage since 1958
Bianchi family (executives, employees, advisors, former champions) celebrated at Bianchi headquarters in Treviglio (Bergamo, Northern Italy) the last day at work of Giacomo Mauri, 74, who dedicated 57 years of his life to the “passione celeste”. A man perfectly embodying the values behind the legendary Italian brand.
“We must honor our past to be worthy of our future, putting on a pedestal the so-called silent heroes, such as Giacomo Mauri is”, Bianchi CEO Bob Ippolito stated in the opening speech. Felice Gimondi proved his fondness and esteem toward Giacomo, while Treviglio’s Major Giuseppe Pezzoni testified the man of honor as “a superb example for the the world of work”.
Since February 1958, throughout over half a century, Mauri built an unbelievable knowledge becoming the Reparto Corse key-person and the undisputable specialist of riders’ placement on the saddle. Alongside true masters as Giuseppe de Grandi (the well-known Pinella) and Luigi Gilardi, Mauri has improved his capabilities up to achieve the out-of-sight Bianchi frames used by Coppi, Anquetil, Baldini, Maspes, Gimondi, Riviere, Altig and more.
Mauri came across plenty of riders’ generations. “I’ve a great souvenir of Pantani – Mauri said – as a special person, with lot of passion and very-well placed over a bike. I also remember Ullrich, a very serious guy. I drafted a completely new and smaller frame for him: just a few days later, he told me it was ok. I remember Bugno who was never complaining. I also experienced exciting days in the MTB, with our great improvement in the offroad thanks to Acquaroli and Absalon”.
A very special awards ceremony concluded the party: Bianchi Bob Ippolito gave away an Infinito CV to Giacomo Mauri, a true Bianchi icon. “All Bianchi bikes have a core and the latest one, Specialissima, went down in history already with its perfect mix of technology and elegance. Bianchi production unit made a great effort, my second family where I improved as a technician and as a man”, a touched Giacomo Mauri said in his farewell toast.
