Lino Gastaldello
This week’s biography paves tribute to Wilier bicycles and its saviour Mr. Lino Gastaldello. (may he rest in peace)
Wilier Triestina was established in 1906 by Pietro Del Molin. Than called Ciclomeccanica Del Molin, he began by making basic bicycles and supplying bikes to the Italian army in WWI. The rise in success of Italian riders Bartali and Coppi inspired Italian Cycling and in 1945, Del Molin created a racing team named Wilier Triestina.
In Italian, the W is not used. W is usually used for the word Viva! The acronym goes as follows: W Italia LIbera E Redenta, which means “ Long Live Italy, Liberated and Redeemed.” The Triestina part is a tribute to captain Giordano Cottur’s birth place of Trieste, Italy ( which was still not regained by Italy after the war.) Due to an economic boom in the 50’s, people quickly gave up their bicycles for scooters and motorcycles. Bike manufacturers all over suffered, and in 1952 Wilier Triestina shut down its factory.
Reborn thanks to the passion of the Gastaldello brothers in 1969, the factory relocated to Rossano Veneto, and began sponsoring pro teams again. Since their take over they have facilitated many cyclists to reach records. During the 1990s, while riding for Mercatone Uno, Marco Pantani used a Wilier to set record times for the ascent of both Alpe d’Huez and the Mortirolo, while Alessandro Ballan rode one to World Championship success in Varese the year before last.
On the 23 of January, 2010, the 71 year old Lino Gastaldello was struck head-on by a car while he was on his customary Saturday morning cycle ride. This is tragic. This is wrong. This is the reality for so many people losing their lives whilst they simply go for a daily bike ride.
May he rest in peace. Thank you for all you’ve done for cycling.
Tags: lino gastaldello, wilier triestina
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