Maglia Rosa Molteni 1973 - the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia from 1973 A RedTed replica of the pink jersey of the Giro d'Italia from 1973, this tight cut pink sweater was worn by Eddy Merckx. He won the Giro five times, three times for Molteni. Since 1931, the leader of the general classification of the Giro d'Italia has been recognizable by a pink sweater. The color pink was chosen because that was the color on which the newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport - the initiator - was printed. The pink riding jersey has now become an icon, the symbol for the emotions, passion and style of the Giro and Italian cycling. The Molteni cycling team took home the pink jersey 4 times as the final winner.