Originally Posted by
gene_in_CT
I have an EM Corsa Extra frame number A1912 in this same orange/yellow/silver paint scheme ("Team Hitachi" colors). It is made with Columbus SLX tubing. Some quick research on Team Hitachi shows that it was in existence from 1984 to 1988. It started with Raliegh bikes but switched to EM in 1985 or 1986. The team disbanded in 1988.
I have some recollection that this color scheme was used by a European national team after that. Belgium? Any information on the history of this color scheme, which is beautiful to look at.
Claude Criquelion (RIP) dragging his crashed Hitachi team Merckx across the finish line of the 1988 Worlds wearing Belgian national team kit is etched in the memory of racers of a certain age, but beyond that I can’t recall a national team riding this colour scheme. National team racers almost always used their pro or club team bikes for the few races in which they represented their country anyway, but I’m guessing you already knew that.