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For the first time, the Tour de France will depart from Italy. Florence, the city of Dante Alighieri, the cradle of the Renaissance, will host the Grand Départ of the 111th edition. Colnagoofficial bike of the Tour de France, celebrates this event with a unique bicycle: the Colnago Fleur-de-Lysa special edition of one Colnago C68 produced in 111 numbered copies.
At the center of the project dedicated to Florence is the symbol of lilythe heraldic emblem that connects the history of Dante Alighieri’s city to the French nation.
The 2024 Tour will unite France and Italy. Two central nations in the history of European and world culture. Not only the “high” culture of the great philosophers and writers, painters and sculptors, but also its most common expressions. It is the aesthetics of everyday life. That all-European ability to take the humblest things in life and treat them to the point of turning them into art. The excellence of the two countries in food, clothing and design comes to mind. But it is also the case of the humblest of means of transport: the bike.
It is in these two countries that cycling as a sport was born and achieved its glorification. From Milan-Sanremo to Paris-Roubaix, from the Giro d’Italia to the Tour de France. Italy and France have always been the blank page on which the most formidable champions, challenging each other, wrote their legends. Garin, Girardengo, Petit-Breton, Bottecchia, Pellissier, Bartali, Bobet, Coppi, Anquetil, Gimondi, Hinault, Saronni, Fignon, Bugno, … heroes of an epic that for more than a century has gathered the masses at the edges of the streets, children and elderly people hand in hand, cheering on the champions of the future and talking about the great deeds of the past.
Colnago interpreted this connection through a bicycle, the C68 Fleur-de-Lys, which features the lily as a key design element, the lily being a symbol full of meaning for both Florence and France.
A tribute to Fleur-de-Lys
Attention to detail, excellence in craftsmanship and the use of cutting-edge technology have characterized Colnago bicycles since their inception in 1954. This special bicycle for the 2024 Tour de France is no exception. The Fleur-de-Lys is capable of expressing all the savoir faire and passion that characterize Colnago, for a tribute to the culture and history that unites the two countries. The lily is the key element of this special C68. The French lily is reproduced in series on the gold top tube on a field of Bleu de France metallic leaf. This motif, in addition to being a tribute to a recurring coat of arms in French royal iconography, takes up the motif of the frescoes in the Sala dei Gigli, one of the most beautiful rooms of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, which will be the venue for the presentation of the teams and the starting point of the first stage of the Tour de France 2024. Not only that, the frieze of the pediment at the entrance to the Palazzo Vecchio, under which the riders will pass on the day of the presentation of the teams, also features a background of lilies on a blue field, in memory , once again, of the French, protectors of the Florentine Republic.
They are symbols of a closeness – between the Tuscan city and France – which has persisted for centuries between sympathies and antagonisms. They are synapses of a great, deeply interconnected European cultural history, a web that unites historical events, art and literature, culminating in great moments of popular aggregation – such as the Tour de France, with its epic of great champions. The lily decorative element is therefore not only a visual homage, but also embodies the spirit of collaboration and friendship between the two nations. Through the integration of the symbols of Florence and France, Colnago has created a symbol of unity and beauty, perfect for such a prestigious sporting event. The bike thus becomes a tangible symbol of this historical event and is also transformed into a moving work of art.
The best of Italian craftsmanship at the service of the most fascinating of Grand Tours
The Colnago Fleur-de-Lys is the latest work of art created in the Cambiago laboratory. Every Colnago is a wonderful bicycle to ride, but on some special projects we reserve the right to give free rein to our creativity and artistic streak.
The Colnago Fleur-de-Lys is an example of this type of project, being a limited edition bicycle based on the frame of a C Series, the C68, made in a few examples.
Therefore, like all C series bicycles in our assortment, it is handmade in Italy and is based on a modular frame, which means that the bicycle triangle is made of carbon fiber tubes and joints glued together thanks to a special technique that we have perfected over the years. Although this feature gives a very pleasant riding experience, it also adds a touch of “tradition” and prestige to the bicycle, as this construction technique is becoming increasingly rare today.
Gluing the pieces together – to achieve a result like that of the C68 – requires time, patience and unique savoir-faire, a tradition that, like Colnago, we are committed to defending and continuing.
Bleu-de-France metallic leaf finish
At first glance, what makes these bikes stand out is the Bleu de France metallic leaf finish on the frame, which shines and gives off fascinating reflections.
To achieve this effect, the leaf finish is applied by hand each time, with the result that the texture changes from one frame to another, making each example of the 111 simply unique.
The pattern with Fleur-de-Lys
Applied on this precious blue background, we find on the horizontal tube a motif composed of 15 small lily flowers applied in gold leaf, which introduces the key design element of the bicycle, from which its name also derives: the French lily, the Fleur-de-Lys.
The bottle cage inspired by the Tour de France Trophy
An element that stands out in the design of the Fleur-de-Lys is the bottle cage, modeled and printed in 3D, which takes the shape of the Tour trophy.
The Colnago CC.01 Tour de France special limited edition handlebar
The Colnago Fleur-de-Lys features a special limited edition of the Colnago CC.01 handlebar, which features an engraving on the head tube cap, namely the iconic Tour de France logo.
The fork
On the tip of the fork you can appreciate the Colnago x TdF logo, as well as the indication of the number, out of 111, of this limited edition bicycle.
Dedicated components
The bicycle is further enriched by the presence of some special components, created in collaboration with some of our most trusted suppliers such as Prologo, Enve, Carbon-Ti, MyLime and CeramicSpeed.
111 Numbered Pieces for the Tour de France
Colnago’s limited editions are now universally recognized and appreciated by collectors all over the world. The Colnago Fleur-de-Lys, available in just 111 examples, is no exception and represents a true jewel, given its particularly refined and regal livery.
Each bike is individually numbered, with the number highlighted on the fork, and is delivered with a special volume that tells the story and cultural background that inspired the Colnago Fleur-de-Lys.
Tadej Pogačar & Colnago Fleur-de-Lys number 1 of 111
The entrance door of Palazzo Vecchio is surmounted by a decorative marble plaque with two lions and the French Lily.
The Presentation of the Tour de France 2024 teams will start from Palazzo Vecchio, seat of the Municipality of Florence, until reaching Piazzale Michelangelo.
It has been agreed with ASO and UAE Team Emirates that Tadej Pogačar will ride the Colnago Fleur-de-Lys number 1 of 111 during the team presentation on 27 June. The parade will begin right outside the entrance door of Palazzo Vecchio shown here in the photo.
Bike #1 will be auctioned at Sotheby’s during the 2024 Tour de France (the auction will begin on the first rest day and end on the second rest day, during the second week of racing).
Technical information
First name: Colnago Fleur-de-Lys
Limited edition: 111 numbered pieces
Model: C68 Rd
Family: Serie C
Group: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 R9200.
Crown: Carbon-Ti special limited edition custom Colnago. 52-36t
Sprocket pack: 12-speed, 11-30t
Pulley: CeramicSpeed Shimano 9250/8150 OSPW special limited edition Colnago x Tour de France
Wheels: ENVE SES 4.5 special limited edition Colnago x Tour de France, handmade in Italy, with a special gold spoke
Discs: Carbon-Ti X-Rotor SteelCarbon 3 – 160mm front / 140mm rear
Tires: Continental GP5000 S 28mm
Saddle: Prologo Nago R4, special limited edition Colnago Fleur-de-Lys.
Handlebar: Colnago CC.01 special limited edition engraved with the Tour de France logoBottle cage: Colnago special limited edition, replica of the Tour de France trophy.
