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TECH NEWS

Thomas Voeckler's Polka Dot Colnago C59 available to buy

Limited run of 135 spotty Colnago's available this autumn

The tradition of custom painted bikes to match classification jerseys in the Tour de France isn't a long one but it's one that has been fully embraced in recent years, but they rarely are made publicly available to buy. Colnago is bucking that trend and is offering 135 of Thomas Voeckler's Colnago C59 Italia Team Edition frame decorated with polka dots.

Why just 135? That's to commemorate the points the Frenchman accumulate in the climber's classification and secure him the overall prize as he rolled into Paris last Sunday. He rode the specially painted C59 on that short stage, with matching helmet, gloves, shorts and socks.

“Thomas is one of the heroes of the Tour de France and so it’s only right we celebrate his success with a special bike,” Ernesto Colnago said.

“We were inspired by the way he won his stages, especially the stage to Bagnères-de-Luchon; that was a real show of Thomas’ panache and character. He also took the polka-dot jersey that day and then kept it all the way to Paris. We’re very proud that he and other other riders at Team Europcar used the new Colnago C59 Italia and M10 S Team Edition bikes.”

We're told by Colnago's UK distributor Windwave that the limited edition frame will cost the same as a regular C59, and it will be available in September. We expect the frame to be high demand so you'd best join the queue

More info at www.windwave.co.uk

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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10 comments

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pwake | 12 years ago
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Colnago have presented us with some pretty hideous colour schemes in the past, so this could be considered pretty understated for them.
Although, fair's fair, the Russian's red/chrome Colnago's equipped with Campag Record that they used to dominate the Milk Race on, were, and are, a classic. Especially with their red CCCP jerseys and leather hairnets. Aye, those were the days! And you tell that to kids nowadays...

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gordonmarkus | 12 years ago
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It is cool that Colnago are doing this to honour Tommy's epic achievements (and facial expressions) this year. I do have to admit though that if I saw someone riding one of these (other than Voekler) I would think 'cock' to myself instantly in the same way that I'm sure most of us do when we see someone out wearing a replica rainbow/yellow/pink/green or any leader's jersey.

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lostinfrance replied to gordonmarkus | 12 years ago
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Blimey I'm thinking you guys are taking yourselves way to seriously. Who cares what another rider wears/rides, if it makes them happy then great, if they have the cash to buy very expensive bikes and clobber great, it keeps the economy ticking over when the rest of us are drawing in the purse strings.

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jasterixstrange | 12 years ago
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Polka dots on bikes is the equivalent of putting go faster stripes on a vauxhall nova ...

... makes you think you're going faster.

In fairness though, Voeckler did a sterling job and so, cynical cashing in logic aside, it's pretty cool that Colnago are doing this for him.

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SideBurn | 12 years ago
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A bit harsh on triathletes? I know they disregard Rule 42 but I was talking to a guy who did a double triathlon so definately passes Rule 5. Does a spotty bike breach Rule 16? Judicial review needed!

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theclaw | 12 years ago
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I agree with Bernard Hinault, who is of the opinion that there should be an outright ban on the sale of yellow jerseys, rainbow jerseys and colour schemes that signify a specific accomplishment. And you just know that the only people who will lay out the cash for a polka dot Colnago are the people who would least be able to ride it decently - the bankers who now want to pretend they are all as good at sport as the rest of us. Leave this rubbish to the triathletes.

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kitkat replied to theclaw | 12 years ago
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theclaw wrote:

Leave this rubbish to the triathletes.

eh?
Triathletes wear spotty jerseys and ride colnago c59s?

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step-hent replied to theclaw | 12 years ago
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theclaw wrote:

I agree with Bernard Hinault, who is of the opinion that there should be an outright ban on the sale of yellow jerseys, rainbow jerseys and colour schemes that signify a specific accomplishment. And you just know that the only people who will lay out the cash for a polka dot Colnago are the people who would least be able to ride it decently - the bankers who now want to pretend they are all as good at sport as the rest of us. Leave this rubbish to the triathletes.

You obviously hold your sporting ability in pretty high esteem...

It's just a commemorative bike. It's not like wearing the world champs jersey or yellow jersey replicas (which I'd never do), it's just a good colour scheme to mark some inspiring performances. I'd never buy one, but if I saw one on the road I'd think it was pretty cool - assuming, of course, it wasn't worn with a polka dot jersey (unless it was Tommy V himself - that WOULD be cool).

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colinth replied to theclaw | 12 years ago
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theclaw wrote:

the only people who will lay out the cash for a polka dot Colnago are the people who would least be able to ride it decently - the bankers who now want to pretend they are all as good at sport as the rest of us. Leave this rubbish to the triathletes.

Wow, bankers can't ride bikes, you must have spent a lot of time researching that ! It's a bit like saying all people who make sweeping statements on forums are d1ckheads

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notfastenough | 12 years ago
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If you're going to buy/ride that, you'd best be fast up them hills!

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