Will Colnago’s Tour de France Curse Be Broken?

Tadej Pogacar has one last chance to make Ernesto happy

As we all know, for 60 years Ernesto Colnago has not only wrenched for some of the greatest riders in history, his eponymous bike brand has found itself as a sponsor of their teams. Colnago bikes have been ridden to victory in every major road race – except one. Despite investing in so many teams and even having spent many days in yellow over the years, Colnago has yet to see its way to the top podium spot in Paris. Oh, Michael Rasmussen (above) got close, and even with his tongue wagging wildly for dramatic effect, Thomas Voeckler (below) was never able to seal the deal.

And now, really with just one stage remaining in the 2020 Tour de France – an uphill time trial at that – UAE rider Tadej Pogacar has one last chance to break Ernesto’s Tour curse and deliver a final yellow jersey to the Maestro of Cambiago.

Although Primoz Roglic and his Jumbo-Visma teammates have ridden a masterful race and truly deserve to win, old time romantics would like nothing better than for Ernesto to add a Tour win to his palmares especially since this year marks his last at the helm of his historic brand following a sale to a fund based in the UAE.

Tour de France 2020 – Grand Colombier – Tadej Pogacar (SLO – UAE – Team Emirates) – Primoz Roglic (SLO – Team Jumbo – Visma)

We’re just hours away from finding out and closing down one of the most dramatic Tour de France that we can remember…and how lucky are we all that we get to say that just about every year?! Still, given that no matter who wins it will be an Italian brand coming out on top, well, there are worse things to consider.

While the news that Ernesto Colnago has sold a majority stake in his eponymous bike brand should be seen as a good thing, it nonetheless reflects a new reality for the storied Italian marque. What the future may bring remains unknown, but for anyone who, like us, has stood in awe of the master frame designer, the purchase marks the passing of an era.

Johan Museeuw leads the famous Team Mapei/Colnago sweep at Paris-Roubaix in 1996. Photo: Bettini

Germany’s famous “gentleman racer” Erik Zabel put Colnago atop the box on many occasions. Photo: Zap

Race Photos: Bettini

Tour de France Colnago Michael Rasmussen