Tadej Pogačar’s Race-Ridden Colnago V5Rs Sells for €70,000

Tadej Pogačar’s Colnago V5Rs, ridden during the 2025 Ardennes Classics, has sold at auction for an impressive €70,000. Far from a typical second-hand race bike sale, the auction house Bikeroom positioned the bike as a unique artefact, blending the worlds of sport and art. The campaign surrounding the sale treated the bike as a museum piece, enlisting former professional cyclist Matt Stephens to provide cultural and historical commentary, including filming at the Museo del Ghisallo, a revered cycling museum in Italy. The auction itself was marked by intense competition, with 44 bids from nine distinct bidders, and multiple extensions due to late bids. The winning bidder hailed from Switzerland, reflecting the international appeal of such a rare item. Unlike many team-issued bikes that quietly leave service, this Colnago was fully authenticated in collaboration with the manufacturer and restored to its post-race condition, complete with unique features like a Tadej-specific ceramic bottom bracket. This level of provenance and verification significantly enhances its value for collectors. Bikeroom’s approach signals a new direction in the secondary market for race bikes, aiming to provide buyers with verified, documented pieces that carry clear histories. Traditionally, race bikes have circulated without comprehensive authentication, often leaving buyers uncertain about their origins. By offering detailed provenance and restoring the bike to a condition that honours its racing heritage, Bikeroom is creating a trusted marketplace for enthusiasts and collectors alike. The auction attracted considerable attention beyond just the final sale, with over 130,000 users visiting the auction page and a combined reach exceeding one million. This suggests a growing appetite for authenticated race bikes with storied pasts, potentially shaping how such items are traded in the future. Collectors and fans alike are now watching closely for other iconic machines to enter this emerging market, hoping to secure pieces of cycling history with verified authenticity.