Leo Karner, 1981 Settimana Ciclistica Bergamasca Leaders Jersey

$650.00

This beautiful leader’s jersey from Settimana Ciclistica Bergamasca shows off the distinctive race leader design and chain stitching.

Leo Karner, from Austria, won Stage 1 (Bergamo – Dalmine) of the 1981 Settimana Bergamasca.  He went on to compete for Austria at 1976 Summer Olympics in the Team Time Trial.

Settimana Ciclistica Bergamasca (also know as Settimana Lombardia) was first held in 1970. Up until 1987, the race was amateur-only. After a break in 1988, the race was re-launched as a pro-am event and boasts such winners as Thibaut Pinot (2011), Pavel Tonkov (1992), and Danilo Di Luca (2008) among many more.  Sadly the race was last held in 2013.

This jersey was purchased directly from the Augusto Gotti family and was part of the collection in the legendary Bar Augusto in Villa d’Alme, Italy.  Bar Augusto was a key host to professional and amateur cycling teams from the 1960s through the 1980s.

This jersey includes the original label from Bar Augusto.

Size: 4

Chest: 36 inches / 94 cm  (18.5 inches / 47 cm measured armpit to armpit)

Length: 29 in / 73.5 cm

Maker: Santini – Made in Italy – 80% Wool, 20% Acrylic

Please Note: Jersey does have some spots

Each jersey is one of a kind, please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.

In stock

Description

Bar Augusto

Bar Augusto, located in Alme (Bergamo), Italy, was renowned for its support of cycling teams and its world-class bicycle racing collection that focused on trophies and race-worn jerseys. A family-owned business, the bar, and its attached inn flourished in the 1970s and 1980s. Augusto Gotti, the enterprise’s face, welcomed amateur national teams to stay at Bar Augusto while the riders trained and raced in the region. Many Western and Eastern Bloc national teams embraced the Gotti family’s welcoming spirit and were among the most ardent supporters. 

Augusto was a devoted cycling fan and astute collector of jerseys. Active and retired professional and amateur riders gave the bar hundreds of jerseys, and all hung with pride on the walls of the storied bar. The jersey collection read like a venerable who’s who of the cycling world from the 1950s through the 1980s. Coppi, Gimondi, Motta, Merckx, Anquetil, Van Looy, Altig, and hundreds more professional jerseys hung alongside the best of the best Eastern Bloc riders. Given its incredible diversity, depth, and breadth, it would be challenging, if not impossible, to build the same collection today. 

With time, Augusto decided to retire, close the bar, and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life in his autumn years. A year or so before Augusto passed away, and with the help of former Polish and US National Team Coach Eddie Borysewicz, we were honored to acquire the Gotti Collection. Augusto’s and our collection combined beautifully, and between the two, there were only two overlapping items: an Eddy Merckx maillot jaune and a Bernard Hinault Renault team jersey. To this day, our collection is what is thanks in no small measure to a quaint bar and inn tucked into a picturesque valley in Northern Italy.

By Brett Horton, Jan 2021

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Each jersey is one of a kind, please look carefully at the photos to determine the condition.

Additional information

Weight 2 lbs