Gianni Motta (born 1943) is a famous retired professional racer, best known for his victory in the 1966 Giro d’Italia. His palmares also include wins in the 1964 Giro di Lombardia, and the 1967 Tour de Suisse.  Like many former professionals, he went on to manufacture and sell bicycles bearing his name following his illustrious career.

Not so widely known is that Motta backed the first American Team to enter a Grand Tour.  He sponsored a team captained by 1983 US Pro Champion John Eustice, that competed in the 1984 Giro d’Italia.  The team rode bikes with a paint scheme inspired by the US flag, but the patriotic paint wasn't the only harbinger of the American influence that would soon crash the old-school European party. Team General Manager Robin Morton was the first woman to manage and travel with a team at the Giro, and her presence at the race turned heads.

1984 Gianni Motta team, featuring General Manager Robin Morton (far left), US Pro Champion John Eustice (center) and Gianni Motta (far right)

Scott Sorbe appropriately brought one of these attention-getting frames to the latest Velo-Retro Monthly Rose Bowl Vintage Ride, held on July 3rd, the day before US Independence Day. Not satisfied with the general patriotic paint scheme, Scott added red and blue streamers to his handlebars, but the most inspired addition is the red, white, and blue pedal system. His MKS pedals feature red anodized cages, coupled with blue Ale toe clips and white Christophe toe straps.  Motta frames are known for their unique seatstay configuration, and Sorbe's Personal 2001 embodies this characteristic design.

Patriotic eubullience extends to the handlebar-end streamers.  Photo: Brian Ignatin

 Distinctive parallel-then-flared seatstays were seen on all Motta framesets.  Photo: Brian Ignatin

Patriotic pedals.  Photo: Brian Ignatin

Please note that the chrome fork on Sorbe's bike, while it looks appropriate, is not original.  Sorbe is on the lookout for a proper Motta fork to mate with his frame. He took liberties with the component selection (the team used Campy Super Record gruppos), but the project was not intended to be a team replica.  

Scott Sorbe's Gianni Motta Personal 2001.   Photo:Brian Ignatin 

Steel Motta frames like Sorbe's Personal 2001 are now a part of history, although a Belgian company bought the rights to Gianni Motta's bicycle brand name and still produce aluminum and carbon framesets bearing the Motta name. As for Motta himself, he's a very fit 73-years young, and still participates in granfondo events throughout Italy. You can keep up with him (if you read Italian) at his personal website: www.giannimotta.it.