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Dario Pegoretti, famed Italian framebuilder, dies aged 62Dario Pegoretti

Dario Pegoretti, famed Italian framebuilder, dies aged 62

Man who built frames for likes of Indurain, Pantani and Cipollini was taken ill with heart problem this evening
by Simon_MacMichael
Thu, Aug 23, 2018 22:13
9

Dario Pegoretti, one of cycling’s most fabled framebuilders, has died at the age of 62. According to the Italian website Cyclinside, he was taken ill with a heart problem this evening.

Working only with steel and aluminium, Pegoretti’s frames – built under contract to firms such as Pinarello and Bianchi – were ridden to victory in some of cycling’s biggest races by riders including Miguel Indurain, Marco Pantani, Stephen Roche and Mario Cipollini.

He also built and sold frames under his own name, with his custom colour schemes – including one he hand-painted himself that was inspired by the artist Jean-Miichel Basquiat – becoming his hallmark.

He learnt his trade under another Italian master frame builder, Luigino Milani, who would become his father-in-law.

I n 2012, Andrew Denham of the Bicycle Academy travelled to Italy to meet Pegoretti at his workshop in Verona and learn some of the secrets of his craft, resulting in this video.

Dario Pegoretti
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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9 comments

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Karbon Kev | 5 years ago
0 likes

I've only just discovered this, gosh RIP what an innovator and true artist, damn shame.

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Dr. Mike | 5 years ago
4 likes

I find myself a lucky man not only for owning 2 of his bikes but mostly because I had the pleasure of meeting Dario and spending some time with him in 2 ocassions. Dario was a very kind man with an amazing intellect but with a humility to match.

Today my world feels different knowing he is no longer with us. But when I ride one of his bikes, he will be remembered.

Riposa in pace Dario! 

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foghorn | 5 years ago
0 likes

One more of the Great Artisans has gone to braze in the Ether. RIP

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BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
0 likes

And the chancers are out the woodwork already ... £9k for a 'NOS' 2017 Marcello with a part downgraded group and lower spec wheels.  

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simonmb | 5 years ago
3 likes

'Legend' is a term too often overused, or too early adopted. In Dario's case though, it was justifiably earned during his lifetime. RIP fella.

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Bmblbzzz | 5 years ago
0 likes

I didn't expect to see knitting in that. But it's all arts, I guess. 

I remember seeing his frames at Bespoked a few years ago. And they were certainly art. 

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nadsta | 5 years ago
1 like

Rip. Clearly a legend whether you’re into metal frames or not.

Road.cc I’ve never seen you use a picture of someone smoking before - do you mean to link his demise to cigarettes?

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Simon_MacMichael replied to nadsta | 5 years ago
3 likes

nadsta wrote:

Rip. Clearly a legend whether you’re into metal frames or not.

Road.cc I’ve never seen you use a picture of someone smoking before - do you mean to link his demise to cigarettes?

 

We didn't. And we've used this picture before.

Avatar
Rapha Nadal | 5 years ago
3 likes

RIP.

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