Cover Stories: issue 19.5 by Marco Ventura

Cover Stories: issue 19.5 by Marco Ventura

“My father took me to see live Felice Gimondi’s arrival in Milan, when he won the 1976 Giro d’Italia. That was the first time I was able to see those jerseys in full colour and not in black and white as on the TV screen.”

Cover Stories cover story Mapei Racing Rouleur 19.5 Rouleur Classic

When approached by Rouleur magazine to work on a Mapei cover, I immediately thought about their famous cubetti jersey.

 

Being an amateur cyclist and Italian, I was of course familiar with the Mapei cycling team of the ‘90s.


When I was a kid, back in the ‘70s, I loved watching bike races on TV – iconic cyclists such as Merckx, Gimondi, Baronchelli, Boifava and Panizza – and also famous teams you immediately recognise by their jerseys: Salvarani (light blue), Scic (white and black) and Molteni (orange brown and black).


My father took me to see live Felice Gimondi’s arrival in Milan, when he won the 1976 Giro d’Italia. That was the first time I was able to see those jerseys in full colour and not in black and white as on the TV screen!

 

I started working on sketches sorting different ideas, but all of them focusing on the cubetti shirt. Among these sketches, I made drawings of some of the most representative racers of the Mapei team (Ballerini, Tonkov, Museeuw, Bettini and Tafi) with their team manager Patrick Lefevere in the centre, and of course all wearing the cubetti jersey.

 

Then at the end of the sketching stage, I just focused on the jersey itself. I imagined the cubetti jersey against a gold leaf background with rays almost as a sacred image.


Then a big oversize jersey dominating a central Italian landscape, with hills and crops, and a road going through it taking you up to the mountains.


Once the drawing stage was completed and the final idea for the cover approved, I started to work on the final illustration artwork.

 

I work on a gesso-prepared board and start painting on top of the shaded drawing, using oil paints and very fine brushes.


When completed, I photograph the painting, to make a digital file that is sent to the client for publication.

A2 art print of Marco Ventura’s Mapei cover

The post Cover Stories: issue 19.5 by Marco Ventura appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Cover Stories cover story Mapei Racing Rouleur 19.5 Rouleur Classic


READ MORE

Laurence Pithie: I want to challenge Van der Poel for Monument wins next year

Laurence Pithie: I want to challenge Van der Poel for Monument wins next year

The New Zealand rider talks about his journey to the top of the sport, moving to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and his ambitions to start to win...

Leer más
Elisa Longo Borghini: I didn’t transfer to UAE Team ADQ for the money

Elisa Longo Borghini: I didn’t transfer to UAE Team ADQ for the money

The Italian talks about her stellar season, moving away from Lidl-Trek and why she’s looking for new challenges

Leer más
‘It’s been a mentally fatiguing year’ - Tom Pidcock on gold medals, expectations and big dreams

‘It’s been a mentally fatiguing year’ - Tom Pidcock on gold medals, expectations and big dreams

The British rider speaks about a rollercoaster year and looking ahead to the future

Leer más
Jason Kenny: Britain’s most decorated Olympian who is leading the next generation of track sprinters to gold

Jason Kenny: Britain’s most decorated Olympian who is leading the next generation of track sprinters to gold

The British rider talks about his impressive career and the work he’s doing to ensure that the talent keeps on coming through British Cycling

Leer más
Gallery: The final day of Rouleur Live 2024

Gallery: The final day of Rouleur Live 2024

Greg LeMond brought the main stage to a close on the last day of Rouleur Live

Leer más

MEMBERSHIP

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Independent journalism, award winning content, exclusive perks.

Banner Image