The Pinarello Montello holds a special place in the history of professional cycling, and this original Team Telekom example ridden by Cadel Evans is a rare and remarkable collector’s bicycle. Completely original and built to exact team specifications, it features Campagnolo Record 10-speed components paired with an original Campagnolo Ghibli rear disc wheel and Shamal front wheel, creating a machine that perfectly exemplifies the cutting-edge technology of its era.
The Montello was a high-performance road frame designed by Pinarello to meet the demanding needs of the professional peloton. With advanced carbon fibre construction, aerodynamic tube shaping, and precise race geometry, it was built to provide maximum stiffness, responsive handling, and weight savings – all essential characteristics for riders competing at the highest level. For Cadel Evans, an emerging Grand Tour contender at the time, the Montello offered a platform capable of supporting both explosive attacks and long stage efforts, blending performance and reliability in one exceptional machine.
This bicycle is completely original, maintaining the full Campagnolo Record 10-speed groupset that was standard issue for Team Telekom riders. Record components of this era were the pinnacle of mechanical shifting, renowned for their precision, durability, and lightweight construction. Complementing the drivetrain are the original Campagnolo team-issued wheels: a Ghibli rear disc paired with a Shamal front, offering optimal aerodynamic efficiency for time trials and flat stages while maintaining the handling characteristics needed for high-speed cornering and technical descents. The combination of frame, groupset, and wheelset reflects exactly the specifications Cadel Evans would have relied upon in competition.
Team Telekom was one of the most iconic squads of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Known for their distinctive magenta and white livery, exceptional team organisation, and roster of world-class riders, Telekom consistently dominated both stage races and one-day events. Cadel Evans, racing for Telekom early in his professional career, showcased his versatility and talent across European races, gradually building the foundations that would later lead him to become the first Australian to win the Tour de France. This Montello is a direct connection to those formative years and the high-level racing environment of the Telekom team.
The inclusion of the Campagnolo Ghibli rear disc wheel further underscores the bicycle’s rarity and significance. Disc wheels were reserved for time trials and high-speed stages, and team-issued examples in original condition are exceptionally scarce today. Combined with the Shamal front, this wheel pairing represents the exact technology Cadel Evans used in the professional peloton, offering collectors a chance to acquire a historically and technically accurate machine.
From a collector’s perspective, this Montello is extraordinarily rare. Original team bikes from Telekom, especially those used by riders of Cadel Evans’ calibre, are highly sought after for their authenticity, performance pedigree, and connection to a defining era in professional cycling. The pristine condition of this bicycle, complete with team components and wheels, elevates it from a mere historical artifact to a truly exceptional collector’s piece.
Owning this Pinarello Montello Team Telekom – Cadel Evans is to hold a piece of cycling history. It embodies the innovation of Pinarello’s design, the technical sophistication of Campagnolo components, and the legacy of one of the peloton’s most prestigious teams. From its carbon frame to the Ghibli disc and Shamal front wheels, every element of this bicycle speaks to the pinnacle of professional racing in its era. For serious collectors and enthusiasts, it is a rare opportunity to acquire a machine of unique historical, technical, and aesthetic significance – a true icon of 2000s era professional cycling.
