It’s widely known that FC Internazionale Milano, or Inter, is a football team with deep roots in its home city, Milan. The only Italian side to have always competed in the top flight of Italian football since its debut in 1909, I Nerazzurri is a team playing with the pride of the city where it has its roots. It is from a shared love for Milan that the football club’s collaboration with famed Italian bike manufacturer, Cinelli, came about, as today the two brands launch a limited-edition joint collection of cycling gear and bicycle models.
The first drop of the Inter X Cinelli collection includes a four-piece cycling racewear kit consisting of a jersey, bib shorts, socks and cycling cap. Using the same dark and light blue colourway as seen in the Inter Milan home kit, the jersey features eye-catching patterns which show bike wheels in an abstract shape. Inspired by the history and art of Milan, the pattern extends boldly down the matching bib shorts too, with the Cinelli logo adorning the side of the bibs.
With dark blue stitching around the seams – an ode to the city’s manufacturing tradition – the attention to detail in the kit makes it clear that the collaboration was a labour of love for both parties. The Inter Milan logo sits proudly on the left shoulder and collar of the jersey – a symbol of the shared passion that both brands have for sport, regardless of whether it is football or cycling. The matching socks and classic cycling cap (a hark back to the tradition of the sport despite this being a modern collaboration) can be worn both casually and while riding, and they complete the striking outfit.
As well as apparel, the Inter x Cinelli collaboration has led to the creation of two new colourways for the classic Cinelli Vigorelli – a bike designed for contemporary track use. With an aerodynamic seat tube, dedicated aluminium seat post, ultra-responsive chainstays and carbon fork, the bike is ideal for high-performance single speed riding, be it on the velodrome or in fixed criterium races that continue to grow in popularity in Milan. Sharing the same stunning pattern as the matching jerseys, the Vigorelli features the Inter Milan logo on the inner fork and seat tube, as well as the renowned Cinelli ‘c’ logo at the front of the frame.
Aside from the Vigorelli, the Inter x Cinelli collaboration also sees the launch of a new venture for the Italian bike manufacturers in the release of the new Inter x Cinelli Nemo Tig. Coming in both a gravel and road version, the Nemo Tig range combines performance and design with the new, non-conformist trends that are rapidly gaining traction in cycling. The Inter x Cinelli Nemo Tig gravel bike is a development of the current model, which features a steel frame and increased wheel clearance to meet the demands of challenging gravel routes. The bike will be decked out with Campagnolo Ekar gearing and uses Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H tyres.
The Inter x Cinelli Nemo Tig road bike also features a steel frame which aims to respond to the needs of today’s riders who don’t want to sacrifice the “racing feeling” but are seeking something that is enjoyable and comfortable to ride. It sits at the top of Cinelli’s offerings in the brand’s current range. Made in Italy, of course, the bike will be finished with a Campagnolo Super Record EPS electronic groupset.
The Nemo Tig road bike and entire Inter x Cinelli collection will be presented at the Velodromo Vigorelli on Saturday the 19th March, at the start of Milan-San Remo, the first monument of the cycling season. Cino Cinelli himself, the founder of the iconic Italian bike brand, won Milan-San Remo in 1943, meaning the race still holds an important meaning for the company in today’s era. On the same day, the Nemo Tig will be launched at the famed San Siro stadium before the Inter-Fiorentina match, meaning fans of both sports will see the collection simultaneously.
The Vigorelli velodrome, from where the race will depart, is a location that is steeped in cycling history, hosting the Track Cycling World Championships on four occasions. It also serves as the perfect stage to launch the Inter x Cinelli collection, doubling up as a training ground for the Inter Women U19 and Inter Primavera football teams, as well as being home to Cinelli’s own race team. Sharing the same facilities to nurture and grow the next generation of talent, the collaboration between the two parties is the perfect fit.
In a world where unity is more important than ever before, the Inter x Vigorelli collection is a shining example of how two different sporting spheres can come together to create something special. Sharing a love for the same city and an understanding of high-performance sport, the collection puts both football and cycling on the same page, something that has never been done before to such an extent.
Drop one of the Inter x Cinelli collection is available to purchase here with the second drop coming on the 14th April 2022
