From April 18 to November 1, 2026.
The Ghisallo Museum is launching “Ghisallo 20”: an exhibition and a temporary collection of bicycles that, like birthday candles, are being unveiled one by one to celebrate the milestone of the museum, which was founded in 2006. The opening is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at 5:00 p.m., featuring a bicycle parade that celebrates the achievements of cycling history.
The Madonna del Ghisallo Cycling Museum kicks off its 20th season with an exhibition project that fully captures its spirit: “20 Bikes for 20 Years,” a collection of twenty truly exceptional bicycles, each symbolizing a feat that has left its mark on cycling history. These exceptional bikes are arriving at the Museum one by one: we’re already up to 15, but the celebration will be a long and exciting journey because the museum wants to shine a spotlight on each one as they arrive.
At the same time, the ribbon-cutting ceremony also marks the opening of an exhibition chronicling the museum’s first twenty years. Three exhibition halls feature memorabilia and iconic images from a scrapbook spanning two decades of encounters, stories, collaborations, and friendships forged both within and beyond the walls of this space—the world’s largest museum of its kind, with nearly 3,000 artifacts—which has always spoken the universal language of cycling.
It all begins with the birth of the Ghisallo legend, the concept behind the museum, its opening, and then the story of 20 years of initiatives and notable appearances by champions, testimonials, and gatherings. Two decades of connections with all the Ambassadors of a place that is both sacred and secular, destined to be a home for cyclists of all genders and backgrounds. The opening of this 20th-anniversary exhibition is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at 5:00 p.m., as part of the “Ghisallo 20” celebrations, marking twenty years since the museum’s founding on October 14, 2006, at the behest of Fiorenzo Magni.
The curatorial concept is simple and flows smoothly: twenty bicycles, like twenty candles, to be lit one after another throughout the season, in a progressive narrative that blends technology, memory, and sporting legend. Each bicycle on display is not merely a loan, but a story of cycling to be told, paying tribute to the Museum and vice versa. The first 15 bicycles, already arrived and placed in pole position on the museum’s main exhibition floor, powerfully outline this journey of memory that fills the Foundation led by Antonio Molteni with pride, as it moves toward an important and hard-won milestone.
After dedicating several exhibitions to the world’s oldest retrospective on cycling, this year’s annual themed exhibition focuses on recent “cycling history,” in keeping with the vision of a museum that sees itself as young, bolstered by its first 20 years, and constantly evolving thanks to the goals of growth and internationalization it has achieved to date. All of this has been made possible thanks to collaboration with major cycling companies such as Bianchi, BMC, Canyon, Colnago, Giant, Gios, Pinarello, Specialized, and Wilier Triestina.
Here’s a whirlwind of emotions
We begin with the History of Cycling with a capital C.
Roger De Vlaeminck’s Gios, which he rode in the ill-fated 1975 Milan–Sanremo, alongside its twin, the Gios he rode to victory in the 1977 Paris–Roubaix, is the perfect embodiment of dominance on the cobbles: a steel frame, classic components, and the essence of a rider nicknamed “Monsieur Roubaix,” capable of matching the record for victories in the “Queen of the Classics.”
In memory of the unforgettable champion Marco Pantani, a bicycle owned by Wilier Triestina—used in the 1997 Giro—is the first to feature a saddle bearing the “Pirate” logo. It is the 7000 T6 aluminum model equipped with Campagnolo Record components, a symbol of the “Pirate’s” golden year.
Mario Cipollini’s Limited Edition Specialized time trial bike takes us back to the prologue of the 2002 Giro d’Italia in Groningen, featuring the famous and provocative “tiger-striped” livery that earned him a penalty but remains one of the most iconic images in modern cycling.
Tom Boonen’s Specialized VENGE, ridden at the 2012 London Olympics, still bears its original race number. It is a genuine memento of his Olympic participation, featuring its special orange livery designed for the event.
Vincenzo Nibali’s Specialized Tarmac SL5 takes us back to his comeback in the 2016 Giro d’Italia, with his attack on Colle dell’Agnello and his victory in Risoul—one of the most intense and spectacular moments in the race’s recent history.
Julian Alaphilippe’s 2021 Specialized Tarmac SL7 celebrates his world title with a rainbow livery and a personal dedication on the frame: a violin key made of gold leaf in memory of his father, a symbol of how athletic achievement intertwines with personal life.
Remco Evenepoel’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 LTD tells the story of the 2022 Vuelta, his first Grand Tour, which he dominated with authority all the way to Madrid, marking Belgium’s return to the top of stage racing.
Jai Hindley’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 is the bike he rode to victory in the 2022 Giro d’Italia, built on the decisive stage at Passo Fedaia and defended all the way to the final time trial in Verona.
Rounding out this first collection is the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 “Demi Dreaming,” a limited-edition model dedicated to Demi Vollering that blends aesthetics with a personal narrative, featuring a floral design inspired by the champion’s roots.
Alongside these are other notable bikes, including the bicycle ridden by 2025 Italian champion Filippo Conca and the BMC used by Philippe Gilbert in the 2012 Giro di Lombardia. Next is the commemorative Canyon model ridden by World Champion Alejandro Valverde during the 2019 season. And then there are two Colnago bicycles ridden by Tadej Pogačar, commemorating his victories at the Strade Bianche in 2024 and 2025: a pair of masterpieces, bearing the dust of success from this great champion of our time, who is treating us to record-breaking and collectible moments. Additional models will be added throughout the exhibition. The exhibition will take another leap into history with Pinarello, featuring the bicycle of the 1975 Giro d’Italia winner, Fausto Bertoglio. It is the bike of a young man from Brescia with a predestined name: Fausto, who gave Cicli Pinarello its first Giro d’Italia victory. Then we fast-forward to the present with the Dogma F Special Edition Giro 50, used last year by the INEOS Grenadiers team for the stage starting from Treviso. Among the other special editions coming soon are two Bianchi models that will be revealed very shortly.
“It doesn’t end here,” says Carola Gentilini. “More surprise pieces will complete the mosaic of this story in honor of the museum’s anniversary. Everyone is invited to come to the Ghisallo to celebrate this very special birthday with us each time. “20 Bikes for 20 Years” thus takes shape as a dynamic narrative, destined to grow over time, capable of accompanying the public throughout the Ghisallo season, transforming a visit to the museum into an evolving experience, where every return visit may reveal a new “candle” lit.”
As always, standing by the Museum’s side during this special year
Municipality of Magreglio, Municipality of Bellagio, Triangolo Lariano Mountain Community, Lake Como GAL and Oltrelario, Vigorelli Velodrome Committee, ACDB Museum, Alessandria City of Bicycles, BCC Banca di Credito Cooperativo Brianza e Laghi, Trafilspec ITS, Cimbali Group Coffee Machine Museum, Ambrogio Molteni Foundation and Sal Milano, Acqua S. Bernardo, Reale Mutua Monza e Brianza, BCS Products and Services, Consonni Antonio Custom Furniture and Interiors, Italsilva Cleaning Specialists, and enthusiastically welcomes the launch of new partnerships with: BBIKE and Vittoria Gomme.
