Four exceptional Colnago racing bikes with special historical significance will soon be auctioned at Sotheby's. The renowned auction platform is offering the masterpieces of the Italian Frame builder as part of Collector's Week in Abu Dhabi, where the bikes will also be on display. The collection covers a broad spectrum of the brand's history - from the current racing bike of four-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogačar to a historic model that commemorates Eddy Merckx's legendary world hour record from 1972. A limited edition C68 Rossa model and the C35 Oro developed in collaboration with Ferrari are also particularly noteworthy. The current highest bid for Pogačar's Y1Rs Stripped Black is already at 70,000 US dollars, which emphasises the great interest in these collector's items.
World champion accents on Pogačar's Tour-winning bike
The first auction piece is Tadej Pogačar's Y1Rs in the "Stripped Black" version, with which the Slovenian rider tackled the 16th stage of the Tour de France on 22 July 2025. This racing bike is characterised by its frame with an exposed carbon finish, which was finished with the characteristic world champion accents in red, green, yellow and blue. Its first public appearance took place during the mountain time trial to Peyragudes a few days earlier, albeit without the UCI colours. The final version with the world champion accents then made its official debut on the 16th stage with the legendary climb to Mont Ventoux. With this bike, Pogačar not only secured his fourth Tour de France title, but also went on to win the World Championships, the European Championships and a record fifth consecutive victory at Il Lombardia.
Track bike to Merckx's world hour record dimensions
The second highlight of the auction is a restored Colnago track bike, which was built according to the exact geometry data of Eddy Merckx's successful world hour record attempt in 1972. Measuring 61 × 57 centimetres, the frame matches the dimensions of the bikes made for the Belgian champion during this iconic period. The frame features perfectly round Columbus SL tubes with reinforced seat stays - a testament to the engineering skills of that era, which focussed on purity, stiffness and speed. Eddy Merckx is undisputedly one of the greatest cyclists of all time with an impressive track record: five Tour de France victories, five Giro d'Italia wins, a Vuelta a España triumph, three world championships and unrivalled dominance in classics and stage races.
Limited Vuelta edition: Colnago C68 Rossa
The third auction item is the C68 Rossa, number 1 of only 90 bikes produced. It is the very bike that João Almeida rode at the official presentation of the Vuelta 2025 in Turin in the Piazzetta Reale. This limited edition honours a historic milestone: the first start of the Spanish Grand Tour in Italy in August 2025. The C68 Rossa is part of a trilogy of exclusive C68 editions that Colnago has released over the last three years in honour of the three Grand Tours. The bike is characterised by its brilliant, bright red paint finish, which was achieved through a complex silver leaf coating process - a refinement that required more than a year of meticulous work. Made entirely in Italy, the bike epitomises Colnago's excellence in craftsmanship and its modern interpretation of racing prestige.
Legendary Ferrari co-operation: Colnago C35 Oro
The fourth collector's item is the C35 Oro, one of the most emblematic models in the company's history. Conceived in 1989 to celebrate the company's 35th anniversary, the C35 was the result of a remarkable collaboration between two visionary minds: Ernesto Colnago and Enzo Ferrari. Manufactured in Italy under Ferrari's technical guidance, the C35 was one of the very first road frames to be made from carbon fibre composite - a material more associated with aerospace and motorsport than cycling at the time. This particular example is characterised by its gold-plated Campagnolo Super Record groupset and eye-catching five-spoke carbon wheels. The interplay of deep, shiny carbon and precious gold accents - visible on the seat post, drivetrain and finishing components - emphasises the exclusivity and ceremonial intent of the design.
Special features of the auction items
The four Colnago masterpieces represent different eras of bicycle technology. Pogačar's Y1Rs Stripped Black embodies state-of-the-art carbon frame technology with a focus on minimising weight and aerodynamic efficiency. The track bike built to Merckx's world hour record dimensions, on the other hand, represents the classic steel frame era with Columbus SL tubeset and traditional frame construction. The C68 Rossa is characterised by its elaborate finishing technique with silver leaf coating, while the C35 Oro was one of the very first carbon road bikes to pioneer the use of carbon fibre in frame construction. Particularly noteworthy are the five-spoke carbon wheels of the C35, which were ahead of their time and reflect the close connection to Ferrari's Formula 1 technology.
Significance for collectors and cycling history
The auction of these four Colnago masterpieces offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire milestones in cycling history. Each bike tells its own story: from Pogačar's dominant era in modern cycling to Merckx's legendary record ride and the technological innovations Colnago pioneered in collaboration with Ferrari. The C68 Rossa completes Colnago's remarkable C68 trilogy and emphasises the deep connection between Italian craftsmanship and elite cycling. The auction at Sotheby's in Abu Dhabi should be of interest not only to bicycle enthusiasts, but also to art collectors and lovers of exquisite craftsmanship who appreciate the cultural and historical value of these extraordinary objects.
Kristian Bauer
Editor
