" Over the years Italian bicycle manufacturers have been compared to those Italian fashion designers who are so rightly considered national treasures. The Italian passion for design and devotion to cycling merged long ago, making Italy a wellspring of inspired racing bicycles. An Italian bicycle is more intimately yours, a more personal possession, than bicycles of other origin. This deep understanding of man and bicycle has enabled Italian craftsmen to produce technical solutions appreciated by bike racers the world over. Italian Racing Bicycles tells the stories of the people and products that have forged Italy's lasting heritage within the sport of cycling. It is a homage to Italian creativity and craftsmanship, qualities that have raised Italian bicycles from mere means of transport to works of race-worthy art. "--