Among champions, history and innovation: Wilier turns 120

On the lawn in front of the villa, a continuous white line forms the number "120". Beneath it sits the Wilier Triestina name. It is the first sign of "120 Years Forward", the event with which the brand, founded in Bassano del Grappa in 1906, celebrated its 120th anniversary on June 20.

I am just outside Padua, at Villa Contarini. Even before the bicycles, it is the scale of the residence that stands out. The villa retains a core attributed to Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architects of the Renaissance, and was expanded over the centuries into the grand Baroque residence it is today. My journey into Wilier's history begins on the ground floor, among photographs, videos, racing jerseys and some of the bikes that have defined the brand's story.

Among the bicycles on display, I find myself lingering longest over the Wilier ridden by Alessandro Ballan to victory at the 2008 World Championships — a feat no Italian rider has managed to repeat in the men's road race since. Nearby stands the bike used by Mark Cavendish at the 2024 Tour de France, where he became the race's most successful stage winner with a record 35th stage victory.

Ballan was among the guests attending the event, alongside Giuseppe Saronni, Gilberto Simoni, Simone Velasco and Daniele Bennati, riders who, in different eras, have contributed to the sporting history of the brand.

From heritage to innovation

It is in the Galleria delle Conchiglie (Hall of Shells) that the story truly comes to life. Walls decorated with shells, stucco work and ornamental motifs provide the backdrop for photographs, films and archival material spanning different eras of both cycling and the company itself. Alongside images of champions who achieved success aboard bikes carrying Wilier Triestina's distinctive halberd emblem, the exhibition also highlights the themes that define the company today: materials research, product development and innovation. Among the concepts referenced throughout the exhibition are "Culture of Speed" and "Innovation Lab", both linked to its research and development activities.

In the Piano Nobile, amid frescoed halls and monumental interiors, the latest additions to the Wilier Triestina range are on display. The exhibition also offers a glimpse of projects planned for 2027.

(Image credit: Wilier)

As daylight fades, attention shifts outdoors. In one of the villa's gardens, Wilier unveils the new Filante Ultimate. The launch of the new model serves as the centrepiece of the 120th-anniversary celebrations. Described by the company as the most exclusive version of the Filante platform ever produced, it features a frame built from Toray M40X carbon fibre, combining six different fibres in a layup engineered to reduce weight while improving power transfer efficiency. The specification also includes a range of components developed specifically for this edition, with dedicated solutions from CeramicSpeed, Miche and Vittoria.

(Image credit: Wilier)

The celebrations come at a positive moment for the Veneto-based company. Wilier Triestina closed 2025 with consolidated revenues of €70 million and entered 2026 with a 7% increase in volumes compared with the previous year.