Originally Posted by Elev12k

I do also see where the OP is coming from. The general concensus among many is it is this way.

Contributions in cycling technology development by other nations can not be underestimated: for example US and Japan are important. With the Italians Nuovo Record would probably still have been the standard.

The culture in the country were I live, Holland, has more up with cycling and participating in and enjoying professional racing has always been popular too. Our neighbours, the Flemish, are probably the No.1 professional cycling fans. For them is cycling what speedskating is for us. Merckx raced an Italian bike, what is a point for the Italians.

Italy has a craft tradition: Sure and an appreciation for all things that make live 'good'. They do also know that others know that that is the case. They sell us the kind of stuff we're expecting they sell us. This includes the very fine bikes discussed (but nicer than in build quality than a Nagasawa?), but also industrial output that is still quite highly regarded.