Bottecchia

Teodoro Carnielli sets up his company constructing and repairing bicycles in 1909 in Cavazare Italy.

In 1921 he discovers and sponsors bricklayer and talented rider Ottavio Bottecchia. Bottecchia was the highest placed independent rider in the 1923 Giro and the fist Italian to win the Tour de France in 1924, he won again in 1925. In 1926 Carnielli started producing ‘Bottecchia’ branded bikes to celebrate Ottavia’s success. In 1927 Ottavio Bottecchia, was killed in mysterious circumstances.

Bottecchia cycles went on to become a hugely successful company still thriving today.In 1989 Greg Lemond was riding a Bottecchia on the last stage time trial of the Tour de France where he snatched overall victory from Laurent Fignon in the closest finish of all time.