Thrilled to showcase in our Flandrien Gallery this Colnago C59 Team Europcar, ridden by French climber Pierre Rolland. This bike, equipped with a Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset and Campagnolo Bora clincher wheels, represents the perfect blend of Italian craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology that helped Rolland carve out a career defined by audacious breakaways and unforgettable climbs.
The Colnago C59 was a flagship model in Colnago’s lineup, succeeding the legendary C50. Designed with feedback from professional riders, it combined lightweight carbon construction, precise geometry, and uncompromising stiffness, creating a frame capable of performing at the highest level across stage races and one-day events alike. The integration of electronic shifting via the Campagnolo Super Record EPS groupset offered precision, reliability, and instant gear changes, critical for a rider like Rolland, who often launched attacks in decisive moments of mountain stages. Complemented by Campagnolo Bora clincher wheels, the setup ensured optimal power transfer, aerodynamic efficiency, and a stable ride in both steep climbs and fast descents. Every component on this bike was selected to allow Rolland to chase his dreams in the mountains of the Tour de France and other European stage races.
Pierre Rolland began his professional career with Crédit Agricole in 2007 before moving to Team Europcar in 2011. Europcar, a French outfit known for its daring racing style and opportunistic tactics, provided Rolland with a platform to develop as a pure climber and breakaway specialist. The team emphasized attacking racing and was always willing to take risks in the mountains, qualities that perfectly suited Rolland’s style. Europcar’s green-and-black jersey became synonymous with aggressive riding, with Rolland often animating races through long solo efforts and audacious moves over the toughest climbs.
Over his career, Rolland has earned a reputation as one of the most fearless climbers of his generation. He is perhaps best known for his performances in the Tour de France, where his climbing talent and tactical intelligence allowed him to secure stage victories on some of the race’s most iconic ascents. His standout moment came in 2011 when he won Stage 14 to the legendary Col du Tourmalet, a performance that earned him the prestigious white jersey for best young rider. This victory solidified his status as a rider capable of extraordinary feats in the high mountains. He also claimed additional Tour stage wins, including memorable solo attacks that highlighted both his courage and his ability to seize the moment.
Rolland’s career is a testament to persistence and tactical brilliance. While he was rarely a contender for the overall Grand Tour victories, his style—always attacking, always ambitious—made him a fan favorite and a respected competitor in the peloton. The C59, with its advanced carbon frame and high-end components, was the ideal tool for this type of aggressive, mountainous racing. Its responsive handling, stiff power transfer, and precise EPS shifting allowed Rolland to attack with confidence and maintain his lead in the toughest conditions.
Adding this Colnago C59 Team Europcar to the Flandrien Gallery is more than an addition to a collection—it’s a tribute to a rider who embodied courage and audacity, a team that championed bold racing, and a machine that represents the pinnacle of cycling technology. For enthusiasts and collectors alike, this bike captures a defining era in professional cycling when innovation, strategy, and individual heroism came together on the steepest climbs and the longest roads of Europe.
