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Milani Cycles Historic Pictures
Natale Milani was a capable racer before he founded Milani Cycles in 1927. Today his son Celeste Milani oversees production of a wide range of high-performace bikes, ranging from carbon fiber to steel lugged frames. All are truly handcrafted in Italy. Signor Milani has allowed me to post a few pictures from his family's photo archive. Here is the link to Milani Cycles web site
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| From 1934. Signor Milani isn't positive, but he believes this is from the Milano-Torino race. The lead rider is Natale Milani. | |||||
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| This is of Michele Mara in 1930, wearing a Bianchi jersey. A close friend of the Milani family, he was winner of the Milano-San Remo in 1930 and Giro di Lombardia in 1930 as well. In the latter race he outsprinted Alfredo Binda and Learco Guerra! 1930 was Mara's finest year. That season he also won 5 Giro d'Italia stages and Roma-Napoli-Roma, a race no longer held. |
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| This is Natale Milani in 1932, the year he won the Campianato Novarese, on his own bike in a Milani jersey. Note the short fender, pump and handlebar mounted water bottle cage. Riders of that era had to do a lot of their own repairs on the road and the roads were often unpaved. Some riders from racing's early years suffered from lung problems caused by inhaling all the dust stirred up from racing on dirt roads when they got older. | |||||
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Natale Milani building a frame in his shop in Gallarate, near Milan, in 1979. Signor Milani passed away in 2005. |
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