Dicembre 2, 2025
Last weekend in Milan, the cycling world gathered for a special evening – the Oscar tuttoBICI awards ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of tuttoBICI magazine. Among the rising stars and established champions being honored, one award stood out for its recognition of decades of innovation and passion: the special Premio tuttoBICI awarded to Antonio Colombo.
Described by the organizers as a “visionary and eclectic industrialist who has written pages of cycling history,” Colombo’s recognition was long overdue. Having had the privilege of working with Antonio personally from 2013 to 2022, I can attest that this description barely scratches the surface of his impact on cycling. While young talents like world champion Lorenzo Mark Finn and eight-time winner Elisa Longo Borghini took home their respective categories, Colombo’s award represented something different – an acknowledgment of a lifetime’s contribution to the very fabric of cycling culture.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the evening came when Colombo was joined on stage by several of his protégés who have gone on to become industry leaders in their own right: Ermanno Leonardi of Specialized, Claudio Marra of FSA, Salvatore Truglio of Prologo, and Walter Deluca of Q36.5.
This gathering represented more than just a photo opportunity – it was a living testament to Colombo’s influence on the cycling industry. Each of these leaders carries forward lessons learned from the master, applying his innovative spirit and attention to detail in their respective corners of the cycling world. From Specialized’s cutting-edge bicycle technology to FSA’s precision components, from Prologo’s innovative saddle designs to Q36.5’s revolutionary approach to cycling apparel, Colombo’s fingerprints can be traced through their success stories. During my years working with Antonio, I witnessed firsthand his dedication to nurturing talent and sharing knowledge.
Seeing these industry titans standing together on stage illustrated something profound about Colombo’s legacy – something I experienced personally during our decade of collaboration. His impact isn’t measured just in the products he created or the companies he built, but in the people he inspired and mentored, each extending Colombo’s influence into new territories and future generations.
This is what “getting your flowers” truly means – not just receiving an award, but being surrounded by the living proof of your life’s work. The success of his protégés is perhaps the greatest tribute to Colombo’s vision and generosity in sharing his knowledge. I’m honored to call him not just a colleague or mentor, but a friend.
The ceremony, which brought together riders past and present, industry leaders, sponsors, and technical directors, created the perfect backdrop for honoring someone whose impact on cycling extends far beyond any single race victory. With CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio as the guest of honor, speaking eloquently about cycling as “a sport that tells the story of Italy, a story of values and courage,” the stage was set for recognizing those who built the foundations of modern Italian cycling.
In an industry often focused on the latest race results and newest technology, taking time to honor pioneers like Colombo sends an important message. His contributions to cycling – whether through frame building innovation, supporting teams, or pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in bicycle design – have shaped how we experience the sport today.
But more importantly, the presence of his protégés on that stage shows that true innovation isn’t a solo endeavor. It’s about building a community, sharing knowledge, and raising the next generation to surpass what came before. Colombo didn’t just build products; he built people. This is something I witnessed countless times during our years working together – his passion in explaining not just the “what” but the “why” behind every decision.
As the cycling industry continues to evolve with new technologies, changing consumer preferences, and emerging markets, evenings like this remind us that innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It builds on the work of visionaries who came before, and more crucially, it’s carried forward by those they mentored along the way.
The image of Colombo surrounded by Leonardi, Marra, Truglio, and Deluca isn’t just a snapshot from an awards ceremony – it’s a visualization of how knowledge, passion, and innovation transfer through generations in the cycling industry. Each of these leaders now mentors their own teams, creating an ever-expanding network of innovation that can trace its roots back to Colombo’s influence.
The 30th anniversary of tuttoBICI provided the perfect moment for this recognition. As the magazine has chronicled three decades of cycling history, it’s fitting that they chose this milestone to ensure one of cycling’s most influential figures received the acknowledgment he deserves – not alone, but surrounded by those who carry his torch forward.
Antonio Colombo’s story extends far beyond what can be captured in a single blog post. Over the coming and months, I’ll be diving deeper into his contributions to cycling through The Business of Cycling podcast and additional articles here on the blog. From his pioneering work in cycling tubes to his role in shaping the modern cycling industry, there are countless stories from his 50 year career that deserve to be told.
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