Earlier this year, we reported that the private equity firm that owns 80% of Pinarello's shares, valued at €250 million on the market, was considering a cash sale. Since then, other than reports that the Pinarello family is considering buying back the majority of the stake it sold to L Catterton, a private equity firm affiliated with luxury giant LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) for €90 million in 2016, news There was little news.

This week, however, the Italian website Tuttobiciweb reported that the former CEO of one of the world's largest mining companies had visited the brand in person. The visit was officially to purchase Bolide, but the circumstances surrounding the visit have led to a great deal of talk about a much larger deal at hand than the purchase of a single bike.

Ivan Glasenberg, with a net worth of $8.5 billion, a strong interest in cycling and triathlon, and already invested in a new cycling brand and Team Q36.5, visited Italy to buy a TT bike?

At present, this in itself is mere speculation, but given Grasenberg's financial situation and the fact that Pinarello is for sale, it is certainly enough to sound the alarm bells that it is "no coincidence."

In addition, another Italian media outlet, Tribuna Treviso, reported that "well-placed" sources say that Grazenberg is likely to present an offer to Houlihan Lokey, the investment bank entrusted with finding a buyer.

If the sale goes through, it could trigger a sponsorship shakeup at the sport's top level. Pinarello has had a partnership with Ineos Grenadiers since its inception as Team Sky, and with Grasenberg owning a stake in the Q36.5 team, this could certainly change. The partnership with Ineos is a very long one, and it is probably more likely that Q36.5 will move to a British team.

Bicycle brands have become big business, and Pinarello is certainly not the first name to be bought and sold as an asset as much as a company that makes sporting goods. Colnago is similar, and Ernesto himself sold this famous brand to a UAE investment firm. Similarly, although it did not sell a majority stake, Canyon recently received a $30 million investment from a combination of two investment groups. Whether we like it or not, the brands we use and identify with as consumers are financial assets that should be traded like any other.

In response to this claim, Pinarello issued the following official statement:

"No announcement has been made regarding the acquisition and it is Pinarello's policy not to comment on rumors or speculation.