BOTTECCHIA at the Design Museum in Milan

Bicyclette: Another Giro between France and Italy is the exhibition at the ADI Design Museum in Milan that from 6 November to 8 December 2024 offers a privileged perspective on cycling between France and Italy, illustrating how design has reinterpreted and declined the bicycle in sports equipment, fashion, lifestyle and social customs.

Curated by Nodesign and Matteo Ragni, the exhibition project aims to offer an overview of the evolution of cycle vehicle design, from its historical origins to the most significant innovations in contemporary design. Through models that have marked crucial moments in the functional improvement of the vehicle, the exhibition explores similarities and differences that have shaped its development, with legendary examples, as well as more recent creations, the result of a renewed creative and productive drive in Europe.

The projects on display reveal a plurality of genres, styles and functions, showing how, from one country to another, over the course of more than a century, in this heterogeneity points of connection were created between the two schools of design.

Within this context Bottecchia Cicli presents two iconic models that have marked the history of international cycling.

Legendary , the bike that celebrates the great champions of the past Gianni Motta, Rudi Altig, Giuseppe Saronni and Greg Le Mond with the replica of the Bottecchia frame that made the history of world cycling from the 60s to the 80s. Its frame continues to be handcrafted in Italy in triple-butted Columbus Spirit steel and double-butted Cromor rear tubes assembled in an extraordinary way with special joints. A work of art.

Graziella , the folding car par excellence that has marked the culture and history of an entire nation with its character and design. An icon that has fully entered popular culture, brought to success also thanks to the illustrious testimonials of the 60s Brigitte Bardot and Salvador Dalì.

Matteo Ragni , curator of the Italian selection and the exhibition layout, adds: "The bicycle has always been at the centre of attention of inventors and visionaries. In this exhibition we wanted to pay homage to the models that have characterised generations, from the legendary pedal choppers to the first folding bicycles, up to the brands that have made the history of cycling. This selection is a tribute to passion, innovation and the hope for a sustainable future."