Pinarello debuts the first of ‘Fausto Talks’ – a 6-part web documentary series telling the stories behind several of the brand’s most iconic bikes. And they start with the wild and revolutionary aerodynamic carbon Pinarello Espada that Miguel Induráin rode to an Hour Record thirty years ago this week, on the velodrome in Bordeaux, France. It was a bike unlike anything that came before it. It laid the foundation for both the carbon fiber construction and aero focus that dominates almost all modern performance bikes these days, across all disciplines.
The tale of the Pinarello Espada’s development quickly drew me in, and can’t wait to see what comes next…
‘Fausto Talks’ Documentary Series on iconic Pinarello bikes
The Espada story is a compelling and emotional one. Sit back and let Pinarello’s President and son of the bikemaker’s founder Fausto Pinarello tell how the bike came to be. It was a watershed moment for the brand. The then 33-year-old Fausto who had shifted from his role in finishing Pinarello bikes to a leadership role securing pro sponsorships, just lured Induráin’s Banesto team back onto Pinarello bikes.
The Espada developed so quickly as the Pinarello team ran with the idea to create a truly innovative bike – bringing in outside experts for their first wind tunnel testing, complete aero-led design, and first-ever carbon frame. From the first welded aluminum prototype in the wind tunnel to a rideable plaster mockup to the final carbon bike that Induráin would ride 53.040km (32.958 mi) in one hour.
What’s next?
Still, the story of Induráin’s wild Pinarello Espada Hour Record bike is only the 1st of 6 that will complete the ‘Fausto Talks’ series. Tune back in here or on the official Pinarello YouTube channel each month. On the 4th of the month, from here until February, Pinarello will share more stories, and we’ll see if it could have been named ‘Fausto Tears Up Telling Stories’?
