Castelli Photo Finish Magazine #1

P H O T O

F I N I S H

CASTELLI HISTORY

Family values and a passion for cycling

THE AMERICAN DREAM From USA to Italy

MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES - ENEL Unforgettable granfondo experience in breathtaking scenery

GRAND TOUR EQUIPMENT

How pro riders dress for the most challenging races

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YOU KNOW YOU’RE GETTING AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

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Photo Finish

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MOMENTS IN FOCUS

Rigoberto Urรกn, Cannondale Pro Cycling Team, wind tunnel testing, Politecnico di Milano.

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Photo Finish

EDITOR: Anna Valerio PUBLISHER: Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A. DESIGN AND ART DIRECTION: Fabio Pellencin CONTRIBUTORS: Bernhard Plainer, Edoardo Civiero, Fabio Pellencin, Søren Jensen, Steve Smith PHOTOGRAPHERS: Bettini Photo, David Pintens, Edoardo Civiero, Ingo Kutsche, Jered and Ashley Gruber, Joel Sunderland, Martin Assam, Tim De Waele PRINTED IN ITALY BY: Chinchio Industria Grafica S.p.a.

35030 Rubano (Padova) Italy

CASTELLI HISTORY

Family values and a passion for cycling

THE AMERICAN DREAM Steve Smith, Castelli brand manager, from Portland to Italy

HOW WE MAKE IT

Aero Race: the most aerodynamic jersey ever created

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FAMILY BUSINESS

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CASTELLI 24H

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Cremonese family, owners of Castelli

COVER: Pierre Rolland in the Prologue TT of the 2016 Tour de Romandie © 2016 Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or part without permission from the publisher. The views expressed in the magazine are those of the contributors. The magazine accepts no responsibility for the loss of or damage to manuscripts, artwork, photographic prints or transparencies.

Registration pending at the Court of Belluno.

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Race through the night

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Sonia Vignati on the process of creating a new product

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CONTENTS

MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES - ENEL

Cycling in a UNESCO World Heritage site

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GIRO EQUIPMENT

How to dress for a grand tour

ICONIC CLIMBS

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#CASTELLISOCIAL

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CHAT WITH US!

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NUTRITION TIPS

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WHO’S THE RIDER?

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CYCLIST & SALESMAN

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What is happening in the Castelli community

Frequently asked questions

How much do you know about cycling?

INSIDE THE PRODUCT

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CASTELLI LUNCH RIDES

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The revolutionary Free Aero Race Bibshort

Riding around the Castelli HQ

Testing Castelli clothing on the Dolomite climbs

How to prepare for a long ride

Passionate Claudio Toselli

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT Skin care products

TRIATHLON

Fast clothing for your next Ironman

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Family values and a passion for cycling

CASTELLI HISTORY

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CASTELLI HISTORY The story of Castelli stretches back more than 130 years, predating the scorpion logo, the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and even the Castelli name itself.

It all began in 1876, when a tailor by the name of Vittore Gianni opened a small tailoring shop in Milan. Gianni handcrafted clothing for local businessmen and dignitaries, the Milan Ballet, and the AC Milan soccer team. National cycling star Alfredo Binda, a five-time Giro champion in the 1920s, was also a loyal customer.

The business changed course in 1935, when a young Armando Castelli joined Gianni’s staff. Castelli was bright, inspired and ambitious – so much so that in 1935 he purchased the company.

Armando made sure that Coppi’s everyday wardrobe was worthy of his rock-star celebrity.

Castelli maintained Vittore Gianni’s high-profile clientele, which by the late 1940s included cycling heroes Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. Coppi – Italy’s preeminent post-WWII hero, a five-time winner of the Giro and two-time winner of the Tour de France – enlisted Castelli as his personal tailor.

Armando made sure that Coppi’s everyday wardrobe was worthy of his rock-star celebrity. While Vittore Gianni had been making a few custom bike-racing garments for four decades, Castelli soon expanded that effort into supplying a handful of professional teams – a practice that was as profitable as it was promotional. (Back in the day, teams paid full retail prices, up front!)

Over the next decade, cycling stars such as Luison Bobet, Rik Van Looy, and Jacques Anquetil wore Castelli’s race apparel (unbranded, of course). Legend has it that Anquetil was the first to wear a silk jersey made by Armando.

Family values and a passion for cycling In 1948, Armando’s son, Maurizio, was born, and from an early age he was captivated by cycling and the making of the sport’s apparel.

When not training as a bike racer (he was a promising junior rider before breaking his hip in a crash), Maurizio learned his father’s craft, absorbing his passion for excellence and his attention to detail.

Unfortunately, father and son clashed; the elder’s more traditional ways conflicted with Maurizio’s creativity. In 1974, Maurizio broke away and started his own cycling company. He called it Castelli. For an emblem, he chose a scorpion.

Shortly thereafter, he got the notion that Lycra, a new space-age stretch material that alpine ski racers had adopted, would be the ideal fabric for cycling shorts, too. He was correct. It was 1977, and cyclists lined up outside the Milan factory to purchase the new shorts.

Inspired by the success of the Lycra short, Maurizio continued to apply his unique insight into cycling and apparel, for decades creating clothing that defined modern cycling.

Eddy Merckx wore a refined version of a Castelli skinsuit to set the world hour record. Bernard Hinault wore a Castelli windproof jersey to win the Flèche Wallone classic. Perhaps most importantly, Maurizio pioneered the sublimation dye process, an advance that allowed colors, logos and his signature aesthetic to be added to even the most technical fabric. Cycling and sponsorships would never be the same.

Moser on velodrome with a Castelli jersey

On November 9, 1979, Castelli was crowned with the prestigious Corriere dello Sport Discobolo award. The presentation letter says, “Castelli … has, in a truly futuristic way, revolutionized clothing for cyclists.”

I would never have been able to revolutionize cycling clothing if I hadn’t raced. It’s the only way to gain a true understanding of what’s involved.

Maurizio Castelli (I campioni di Castelli, biography)

Maurizio also demonstrated a flamboyant flair for publicity. At the 1981 Giro, for instance, he outfitted a handful of riders with turquoise Lycra shorts, at a time when only black shorts were 10 | CASTELLI

Paolo Rosola, wearing a sublimated Sammontana kit

CASTELLI HISTORY

The first Castelli-equipped team, with Maurizio on the far left

1977. Castelli innovates again when introducing the first aerodynamic Lycra shorts used in racing and sold to the public

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Family values and a passion for cycling allowed. The riders came to the start line wearing wool leggings that concealed the banned burst of color.

Moments before the start, the riders yanked off the leggings. A media frenzy followed, including daylong television coverage of the turquoise-and-scorpionclad riders crossing the Italian countryside. Castelli was fined, but no matter; the publicity was worth every lire.

At the 1981 Giro, Maurizio outfitted a handful of riders with the first colored Lycra shorts at a time when only black shorts were allowed

1998. Castelli innovates the first modern anatomic seat pad, the Y-cut seat pad

In 1995, Maurizio’s life was cut short at age 47 when he died of a heart attack riding up the Cipressa, the legendary ascent on the Milan–San Remo route.

Corriere dello Sport Discobolo award It would be difficult to overstate Maurizio’s Castelli’s contribution to the sport and business of cycling, guided by his philosophy of combining technology with innovative style and design. However, the company had the strength to go on without him.

In 1996, Castelli equipped the Italian national cycling team, including Paola Pezzo, at the Atlanta Olympics, where she won the gold medal in mountain biking. It was not only her performance on bike that won over the hearts of many male fans. In the heat of the race, with temperatures above 40°C, Pezzo unzipped her jersey to reveal a generous cleavage. She wanted to be seen as a serious athlete rather than a pinup girl, though, so at the following World Cup race she asked for a skinsuit with a zipped back. Castelli was the first cycling apparel brand to launch a collection for women.

Four years later, Pezzo won another gold medal at the Olympics in Sydney.

In 1996, the Italian men’s team won gold at the Summer Olympics, wearing the first fully aerodynamic skinsuit. In 1997, Castelli introduced the first modern bibshort with the revolutionary synthetic Progetto Y seat pad. The ergonomically designed Progetto Y pad made the leather chamois obsolete.

In 1999, Castelli signed with team Once, a Spanish team with high-profile riders including Laurent Jalabert, Carlos Sastre and Andrea Peron. For Castelli, this was the start of a new decade of 12 | CASTELLI

2000. Paolo Bettini and the Italian national team wear Castelli at the world championships in Plouay

CASTELLI HISTORY involvement in pro cycling. The company went on to supply Team Brescialat, Roslotto, Refin Ceramiche, CSC Tiscali and Saunier Duval, among others.

2003 was a momentous year, as it saw the end of the Milanese management of the company founded by Maurizio Castelli.

Castelli was acquired by Manifattura Valcismon, a company from Fonzaso, a small town near Belluno, that already produced cycling and cross-country ski clothing. In this environment, full of passion for sport, Castelli was again able to find the spirit that Maurizio Castelli had instilled in his brand.

A new turning point came in 2009, when Castelli joined a group of highly innovative cycling brands to supply the newly established Cervélo TestTeam, a pro cycling squad with the market’s most advanced cycling equipment, a commitment to clean racing, and a roster of specifically recruited riders such as Carlos Sastre, Thor Hushovd and Heinrich Haussler, to name just a few. The team’s goal and value were focused not so much on creating publicity for sponsors but on creating, testing and refining the most innovative products on the market combining technology with innovative style and design, in line with Maurizio’s guiding philosophy.

1998. The Castelli equipped, Team Once with Abraham Olano wore the first jersey with wicking fabric treatment (Prosecco)

That philosophy has not changed. Castelli has been at the forefront of essentially every breakthrough in cycling clothing since we made wool shorts obsolete, and each and every day we set out to create tomorrow’s revolutionary clothing.

2009. The Aero Race Jersey changed the way pro cyclists dress

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Steve Smith

THE AMERICAN DREAM A young dreamer from Portland is leading the Italian company

Steve is the brand manager of the European division of Castelli, but he also works very closely with the US organization. Like Maurizio Castelli, he always pays close attention to pro cyclists’ recommendations, needs and ideas to improve Castelli products.

Steve, who grew up in Portland, Oregon, has always had a passion for cycling, which is no doubt part of the secret to his success in his work.

Find out how Steve found his way to Castelli and about his enthusiasm for cycling.

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THE AMERICAN DREAM

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Steve Smith Tell me how you fell in love with cycling.

I’ve always ridden and I’ve always liked cycling. When I was 13, my parents gave me a road bike, and just a week later my friend and I set out on a 155 km ride. There were no cell phones then, so you can imagine how worried my parents were when I didn’t come home. That ride, which took us 12 hours, was basically where it all started.

What does cycling mean to you?

It would be trite to use words like “passion” or “love.” As a kid you have fun going over jumps and riding on gravel or rough roads.

Then you grow up, and you start to enjoy the effort; you ride to stay in shape and to keep challenging yourself. But then you realize that the beauty of the sport is also in the tactics and teamwork — it’s not just having the strongest legs that matters. So what I’m saying is that for me, cycling is a combination of many things that have accumulated and evolved over the course of my life ever since I was a kid.

You developed a passion for this sport when cycling was not very popular in America, right?

Yes, kind of like an Italian who takes up baseball.

Tell me about your background. You worked at Nike, right?

After I graduated from the university, my first job was at Nike in Portland. I spent a few years in the US, then two years at Nike’s European headquarters near Amsterdam; then I went back to the States.

I worked at Nike for 10 years. I started out in sales analysis, and in Holland I worked for Greg Cowan — who is now president of Castelli USA — doing reporting and forecasting. After I returned to the US I was product line manager for Nike’s sandals and cycling shoes.

How did you end up at Manifattura Valcismon?

I’ve always loved Europe. In addition to the two years in Amsterdam with Nike, I spent a year in France as part of a university study abroad program. So my dream was to move to Italy. I had already taken Italian language courses, and I was actively looking for opportunities.

Tim Maloney, a good friend who was working with Northwave at the time, knew Dario Cremonese and told me that Manifattura Valcismon needed someone to help market their cycling clothing. I already had some familiarity with Manifattura Valcismon products, because I had seen the Mapei kit worn by Johan Museeuw.

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So I sent an e-mail to the address Tim gave me, but I didn’t hear back right away. At that time, e-mail wasn’t as common in Italy, and messages weren’t necessarily read every day.

The response came after three weeks. I then spoke with Dario (a 45-minute phone call that cost me about $150!), and he asked me come to Italy for an interview ... but would it be worth it to make a special trip from the US to Italy for a first interview?

I had a trip scheduled to Thailand the following week for Nike, so I changed my itinerary on the way back to stop in Italy, where I could see Milan–San Remo and then go to Feltre to meet with the Cremonese family. I arrived in Feltre on a warm, humid Sunday and found everything closed. I even saw “Yankee go home” spray painted on a wall. I wondered what kind of place I’d ended up in!

But in fact it was the country that I had always loved and wanted to get to know. A week after the interview the family made me an offer, and we decided to make the move. We sold everything we had, gave the cat to my wife’s parents, and left for Italy.

What role did you play in Manifattura Valcismon’s acquisition of Castelli?

In terms of the administrative part, none. It was the doctor and the rest of the Cremonese family who made the decision and negotiated the acquisition in 2003. Later, I was involved in reorganizing the American division of Castelli, which was in some turmoil at the time. I spent all of 2004 getting Castelli USA sorted out, and in 2005 I became Castelli brand manager, a role that allows me to follow all aspects of the brand.

Brand manager, but especially innovator. You’re the one who finds the solutions for the pros, and from them you then get new ideas to incorporate into the collection, right?

Well, not everything we do for the pros is transferrable to the regular collection, but trying to understand the essence of the

THE AMERICAN DREAM

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Steve Smith

matter with the pros is essential if you want to create top-quality technical clothing.

Being brand manager doesn’t necessarily mean inventing products, but rather overseeing every aspect of the brand. Of course, always being ready to pick up on every little innovation and every hint from the athletes we sponsor is essential to managing the brand in the best way. Riding and loving the world of cycling are critical as well. Riding is the only way to discover things and understand what improvements need to be made to the products.

Tell me about your greatest innovation.

Everyone assumes it’s the Gabba, but I actually believe that the Aero Race Jersey, even though it gets less recognition, has done more than anything to change the way cyclists dress. Everyone knows the Gabba because it’s a unique piece and the trademark black 18 | CASTELLI

version was immediately very recognizable when it was launched on the market, but the Aero Race Jersey has quietly revolutionized the way all cycling clothing is viewed. “Technical” cycling clothing used to mean just that it wicked sweat away; aerodynamics was only for time trial skinsuits. But the Aero Race Jersey highlighted how important aerodynamics is in everything.

Another invention that I love is the Tempesta line. Using it makes me realize how it opens up the opportunity to ride even in conditions that you would never have considered before. It really changes your perspective. Before, no one would even think of going out for a ride when it was raining — except for professionals, who are always willing to race in a downpour, but that’s because it’s their job. With Tempesta, riding in the rain is almost fun! Today I wanted to go out at lunch. The forecast was for rain and I was ready for it. Then when I looked outside and saw that it was certain to

THE AMERICAN DREAM stay dry, rather than putting on a different kit I decided not to go out at all!

What’s the best part of your job?

Inventing new products.

And the worst?

Expense reports. Don’t even ask!

Which is better: beer from Pedavena, produced 5 km from our office, or beer from Portland?

I’m actually not a great beer lover. I only drink it on social occasions — at events or with friends.

Well, I’ve always seen you drinking beer at Castelli dinners, so it’s clear that team building is important to you.

[Laughs.]

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Aero Race: the most aerodynamic jersey ever created

HOW WE MAKE IT Testing aero jerseys in the wind tunnel

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The Aero Race Jersey originates from a very simple concept that is representative of the Castelli DNA: enabling riders to go as fast as possible.

The idea emerged when we realized that improving the fit of the clothing reduced aerodynamic drag, allowing the rider to gain precious seconds. If we consider that a professional cyclist in a race maintains an average speed of more than 30 km/h, even though this is not the speed of a race car it is still a significant speed when dealing with aerodynamics.

HOW WE MAKE IT: AERO RACE JERSEY The Aero Race Jersey is certainly not a piece of clothing that is developed and created in a conventional manner. Every item of Castelli clothing has in its DNA its research and its typical construction as an article of race clothing, but top-ofthe-line garments like the Aero Race Jersey undergo a slightly different production process, which applies aerodynamic studies to everything and places the construction design of the garment in the next step.

WHERE IT ALL STARTED

Checking wind tunnel data

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The first phase takes place in our scientific laboratories, where a hypothetical jersey, which in theory is the best combination, is proposed. This hypothetical idea of a jersey includes all the surfaces that must have low aerodynamic drag, arranged in a purely functional manner to create an aerodynamically perfect garment.

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From this sketch, the process moves to choosing the fabrics to work with, in a

Valentina - Product Development

After meeting the technical and functional requirements defined by Steve and the aesthetic ones defined

by Maria Teresa, the garment goes to Sonia, who together with me has to find the best solutions that reflect the ideas of both.

David Millar with the 3.0 version of the jersey

list of materials, stretchy and close fitting, that have an influence in the construction of the jersey, allowing us to maximize the possibilities in the construction of a jersey with low drag. At this point the project is handed over to the pattern office, where recommendations for the fit of the garment are made. Keeping the aerodynamics in mind, multiple versions of the Aero Race Jersey are created. So the pattern office creates the prototypes ...

In addition to testing in competition and in training, the creation of the original jersey also involved tests in the Low Speed ​​Wind Tunnel in San Diego. The location of the tests to improve the aerodynamics of the bikes was where we got the idea: significant resources are always invested to make the bike more aerodynamic, but it will never have as much surface area as the rider.

So our question was, is it more important to invest in the aerodynamics of the bike or of the clothing the rider wears, which has an area five times larger than the bike?

This is where we got the inspiration for the most aerodynamic jersey on the market, to minimize the aerodynamic drag of the upper part of the body against the wall of air that the rider has to break at race speed.

The first Aero Race Jersey saved up to 10 watts at a speed of 40 km/h: close-fitting over the whole body, with construction designed for the cycling position and Giro++ sleeve ends created to keep air from going into the jersey, which would compromise its aerodynamics.

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This is the phase where we try to combine the rules of aerodynamics with those of fit. Here the team decides how to arrange the various fabric panels, what zipper to use, and all the details that allow us to create an exceptional jersey that is

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Aero Race: the most aerodynamic jersey ever created

LIKE A GOLF BALL In 2006 Zipp introduced the 404 wheels with a special dimpled surface, like a golf ball. This made us think about how it could be possible, in the same way, to improve the aerodynamic performance with the addition of a dimpled fabric.

We incorporated this idea, which later evolved further, into the first model.

Mara - Pattern Making

The work we do is to try to get the jersey, in all the sizes, to adhere to the model, looking for the best fit for the rider who expects the most from a jersey, reducing fabric waste and making the cut perfect.

still as close as possible to the aerodynamic requirements that were laid down early in the process.

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After this phase comes the fitting. One of our athletes puts on the jersey model, and we work to make it more wearable — trying to bring the fit of the garment closer to the theoretically aerodynamically perfect model that we started with.

this cannot have a lot of folds, unusual necklines or gathers, as they would compromise the aerodynamics and they are not what represents the strong point of a garment like this. The jersey design in this case is all printed, so the designer, Maria Teresa, or graphic designer, Enrico, prepares a design in the Castelli style that fits with the jersey in color variations that reflect the fashion of the moment.

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When we are satisfied with the fit of the jersey we can move on to the wind tunnel tests. Here we can really see how, aerodynamically speaking, the jersey will behave when worn in training or racing.

With multiple variations of the same jersey on hand, we can determine which offers the best aerodynamic performance and thus which to take on to the next step.

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The style in this garment is not ignored, but in this case we can’t say that it comes first or is more important than everything we’ve done on the aerodynamics. From the design point of view, a jersey like

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Nadia - Tailoring

Sewing the Aero Race Jersey is not easy, as there are many materials: it is a very technical jersey. Assembling them well ensures the proper functioning of the jersey not only as a comfortable and practical article of clothing but as an aerodynamic benefit.

HOW WE MAKE IT: AERO RACE JERSEY

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Stories of enduring success and innovation

FAMILY

BUSINESS Castelli was born in 1876, if we count the time when it was called Vittore Gianni, as the business was known when it was taken over from the eponymous Milanese owner

by Maurizio’s father.

But since 2003 the brand has belonged to a company in the province of Belluno, Manifattura Valcismon. The Bellunobased company is certainly not a newcomer to the technical sportswear sector. Quite the contrary — the Cremonese family, now in its third generation, has worked in the textile industry since 1946.

Founded in Lamon, by Olindo and Irma Cremonese, the company moved in 1954 to Fonzaso, where the headquarters are still located today. The turning point came with the couple’s son, Giordano, who loved sports, especially cross-country skiing, and initiated a true business transformation during the ’70s and ’80s that led the company to become a manufacturer of technical sportswear.

Now, heading up the company together with Giordano are his four children: Dario, Alberto, Gioia and Alessio.

A love of sports and a passion for cycling are the keys to business success that have brought Manifattura Valcismon today to guide the Castelli brand.

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CREMONESE FAMILY arms, ready for a legal battle. The whole thing ended quickly, though, because I got in touch with Maurizio Castelli and explained the situation. He understood, and from that moment we became friends.

We saw each other at every trade show.

He died shortly after, in 1995, of a heart attack, and at that moment I wanted to buy his company, given how much I had always admired it, but it was not possible.

DR. GIORDANO Manifattura Valcismon, founded by Olindo and Irma Cremonese, began as a producer of wool yarn. Giordano, the only heir, joined the company during the ’70s and, thanks to his passion for sports, made the important decision to focus the company’s resources on sports apparel.

When were you introduced to the Castelli brand?

I’ve always viewed Castelli as a leading cycling brand, and I always followed it back in the day. I saw it both on athletes and at events such as trade shows.

I’ve heard that you met Maurizio Castelli in the past. Can you tell me about that?

I came into contact with Maurizio Castelli almost by accident. At the time, Mario Cipollini was our athlete, and during the Giro d’Italia he came to Bassano del Grappa after he had earned the cyclamen jersey.

The official Giro jerseys were Castelli, and Mario asked me if I could turn the jersey with a short zipper into a full-zip jersey.

I went to the company, which was not far from the stage, and had this “operation” done, but we used a zipper pull with our branding, since we couldn’t do otherwise, and the next day I brought it to him for the start in Castelfranco. When they saw the jersey, the Castelli lawyers were up in

And then?

Castelli’s business soon began to suffer, and after insisting several times I managed to enter into negotiations and to buy the brand. For two years the brand stayed in Rosate; then we brought everything to Fonzaso to manage it and control it better.

With the acquisition of Castelli, the US office, Infuga, became ours as well.

Tell me about the company that you created with your parents, Manifattura Valcismon.

Manifattura Valcismon is a company that since ’72–’73 has focused on producing sports clothing. We made knitwear, tennis apparel, underwear, sweaters and a large amount of clothing for leisure and fashion.

In the ’80s we produced a lot of fleeces and turtlenecks. Now, since 2007, we have also worked on a line that produces outdoor clothing.

When did you dedicate yourself completely your family’s company?

I joined the company in 1963. I had graduated from medical school a few years before, and for two years I worked as a doctor at the Feltre hospital, in general medicine. Before, I always spent a lot of time at my parents’ company, and when I took merchandise to the Feltre station (then it was common to ship by rail), I took advantage of the opportunity to stop in town and get together with my friends.

In 1963 I gave up the profession of medicine to dedicate myself totally to the company.

DARIO

, the eldest of the four siblings, joined the company in 1989, at age 23 — after high school with a science focus, two years studying economics and business at the University of Venice, and one year of military service. He focuses on sales and marketing.

What caused the “spark” that triggered your love for cycling?

The challenges between Moser and Saronni, archrivals in the period between the ’70s and ’80s, were definitely what made me passionate about cycling. My father was a fan of Moser, so, just to be different, I became a fan of Saronni.

In my business career I’ve also always handled the trade shows, from Cologne to Milan, so living and working in this world has also contributed to my love for the sport, having been able to see its value.

How did you start at Manifattura Valcismon?

We were still a small company, so I started managing the full range of sales and marketing activities by myself. Then the company grew, and I began to delegate this function to others. Today I oversee a team of about 20 people.

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Stories of enduring success and innovation You are the person in the company who works most closely with the pro teams.

What does a typical day at an event look like for you?

Over time, with passion and dedication, I’ve had to earn the respect and goodwill of the athletes and the various team managers, while always aiming to keep the athletes supplied and follow them in every race, helping to launch Castelli’s latest innovations.

I try to be present at every event to meet with our sponsored athletes, evaluate their top choices and talk to those who might be the next to wear Castelli clothing.

I know you’re a big fan of sports, including football ...

I played until reaching the top amateur regional league with Feltrese, and as you know I am a big Juventus fan.

But I like every aspect of sports, and I get excited about all sports where there’s competition.

Tell me something about the top cyclists.

Who’s your favorite?

My favorites today are definitely Alberto Contador and Peter Sagan, and I’m lucky to work with them with our historic family brand. I especially like them as athletes because even though one is a climber who wins grand tours and one is a complete rider who is a strong rouleur and a sprinter, both refuse to sit in and wait but instead are always on the attack.

And your favorite team?

As to the team, I’ll use past tense: I think my all-time favorite team was Mapei. I believe the victories of that team, which we also sponsored, were truly unique.

What’s your dream, from a business perspective?

I’d like to be able to win the Tour de France with the scorpion, after having seen Ryder Hesjedal win the Giro in 2012.

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GIOIA,

the only woman among the four siblings, focuses on planning and purchasing. Although she deals with Castelli only marginally, she is involved in the most important company decisions.

Tell me about how you started at the company.

I graduated in languages and English literature from the IULM, when it still had a program in Feltre.

After graduation I joined the company, working with the Hummel brand — the world of football.

When I left football, I moved to purchasing.

At first I handled products sourced from third-party manufacturers in Asia — accessories such as gloves, shoe covers, rain jackets and so on. Initially there were fewer of these products, and I was able to manage everything myself, but as the company has grown we’ve become a larger staff, which I manage.

Then I moved to purchasing management in general, and I oversee the purchasing department with its four-person staff. For successful production, we need to have the materials on hand in sufficient quantities, or we will always be late.

For a garment like the Gabba, we have eight-week turnaround times for the production of the material, plus another two for delivery, so we always need clear

ideas and accurate predictions of what is needed. The warehouse needs to be organized in a flexible manner to make sure production runs smoothly and without bottlenecks, which is not easy, and we’re often chasing deadlines anyway.I do not follow Castelli very much in my work.

I do not follow the development of Castelli products very much in my day-to-day work. I deal with my brothers on company decisions, but I am not directly involved with the brand in terms of the creation of the collection. I deal much more with Manifattura Valcismon’s outdoor line, Karpos, since I am a great lover of the mountains.

I hope the Castelli brand always continues like this, with steady growth and constant innovation. I’d like to congratulate the Castelli team, which is doing an excellent job. What I would like to see in this company is the same growth in the outdoor category. Now we need to work on extending our Karpos line outside Italy to really see significant sales numbers.

What do you think about the Castelli events?

The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel is a wonderful event, and having Castelli among the main sponsors makes it even more so. There’s a special atmosphere, they’re good at closing the roads, and in that event the rider is truly the center of attention.

I’ve participated in the Castelli 24H several times. It’s always very fun and it’s a one-of-a-kind event. There’s both the race component and the community and friendship aspect.

What do you think about Castelli’s women’s line?

Style has always been very important to Castelli, and I really like the way Sonia and Maria Teresa see and design the Castelli woman. It’s definitely a vision of a sporty woman, committed to racing but absolutely without losing her femininity.

CREMONESE FAMILY

ALBERTO deals primarily with the company’s information technology.

He oversees company initiatives that involve computers and technology.

When did you join the company?

I’ve been at the company since 1994, when I finished my military service.

At first I worked for Hummel, the football clothing brand that we had licensed.

And the lines that you had in the past?

I was the only one in the family who loved snowboarding, and we had an external sales agent that sold snowboarding equipment, so I did my training there: first just snowboards, then also skateboarding and fashion.

I did this until 2002, the year when sales were taken in-house.

I handled orders, financial statements and sales.

Then after your experience outside the company, what did you do?

I returned to Manifattura Valcismon in 2008 and began implementing various projects related to information technology for the family company, while at the same time also following the family business of our holding company, in order to prepare it to move it forward in the twenty-first century as well.

ALESSIO is the youngest of the four siblings. He is in charge of production for Manifattura Valcismon.

How did you start at Manifattura Valcismon?

I started my education right after high school, when we held a license for football clothing. I’ve always been a football fan, and until a few years ago I played on an amateur team.

I worked with the teams that we supplied as technical sponsor, and I handled the production of the products.

This training was critical. It gave me the technical foundation for the work I do today. I look after custom clothing, and I learned everything there was to know about screen printing, embroidery and materials.

How was the acquisition of the Castelli brand?

Since 2003 Castelli has been a Manifattura Valcismon property, but until 2005 it remained in Rosate under the supervision of a manager, after which everything was brought to Fonzaso, from the product warehouse to the operational departments, so Castelli was officially absorbed.

What we had previously learned from our cross-country skiing lines and cycling

clothing was applied to Castelli; all our expert knowledge was used to rejuvenate the scorpion brand.

But it wasn’t a one-way relationship: Castelli’s research heritage, the passion of Maurizio Castelli for cycling, and everything that had been done at Castelli up until then were crucial. The research on aerodynamics, for example, was something that Maurizio had already invested in in the past.

Let’s say that we’ve contributed our manufacturing resources and our expertise; Castelli had a legacy of research, passion and renown in the world of cycling.

What do you do at Castelli?

In the production chain within the Castelli brand, from an operational point of view, I’m present at various events and I’m involved in the decision-making processes on which teams to invest in or on the creation of new clothing lines.

What does the Castelli brand mean to you?

I grew up watching athletes like Moser and Saronni, who wore jerseys with the scorpion. Today, determining the fate of a brand that has always been legendary for me is very rewarding.

Tell me about your passion for cycling.

I’ve always followed cycling. As a family we were always in this environment. With our company, since I was small, I’ve always followed and participated in events and met great athletes.

Plus, cycling is a sport that cross-country skiers like me practice a lot in the summer.

Even our cross-country ski teams take out the bikes and train on the road when there’s no snow to ski on. So I do my granfondos too; I go to events and go out riding with friends.

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It’s fast, it’s furious and it goes on for 24 hours

The Castelli 24-hour race is totally unique, thanks to the race course that winds around the walls of a beautiful medieval city, a jewel in the heart of the Dolomites; the rush of adrenaline as the riders start in the evening and race all night under the bright city lights; the race strategies and the pressure to execute exchanges well; and also the spirit of happiness, community and friendship that is inevitable at an event like this.

The challenge takes place on a circuit of 1,850 meters, part cobblestone and part asphalt. It begins with a 300-meter climb up Via Campo Giorgio. At the top, the name changes to Via Campo Mosto, and after 300 meters the road narrows, testing the riders, who must be not only strong cyclists but good bike handlers. The road turns sharply at Borgo Ruga, leading to a short straight section and a descent that finishes with a tight turn.

From here, the 600-meter straightaway of Via Marconi allows the riders to benefit from drafting, and the only way to stay with the leaders is to take turns pulling.

At the end of the straightaway, the race enters the cobbled section of Via XXXI Ottobre, where extreme care is required because even if it is not raining the typical mountain humidity can make the road slippery. After the last curve on the cobblestones, the finish line is right there, at 150 meters.

Castelli is the main sponsor of the event, as the name suggests. For some teams the

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spirit of the race is pure fun; they come with tents where everyone is welcome to party, with beer and music for all. Other teams are more focused on results; they train constantly, calculate the exchanges with absolute precision, and carefully consider the periods of rest and refueling.

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CASTELLI 24H RACE The Castelli 24H takes place the weekend before another important event for cycling enthusiasts, the Sportful Dolomiti Race, which is another opportunity for riders to test themselves and an occasion when choosing the wrong clothing can be a costly mistake.

Official start behind the safety car

Riders waiting to enter the exchange zone

Entertaining team presentation

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Start/finish line Via Campo Giorgio Via Campo Mosto Borgo Ruga Via Marconi Via XXXI Ottobre PHOTO FINISH | 29

Sonia Vignati

Sonia Vignati on the process of creating a new product

PRODUCT

DEVELOPMENT Sonia, you are without a doubt the person who has more experience with the Castelli company than anyone else. From the sewing department at an external vendor you have moved on to become the main interface today between Steve, the designer and the pattern office. But first things first: describe your job as best you can.

Steve is kind of the technical mind behind our product. He gathers the information and the needs of the pro riders. Maria Teresa, the designer, designs the collection to include the items Steve requests.

I come right after, and I have to work closely with them to define the collection.

I have to follow the product from this phase until it’s finished.

Based on the technical requirements specified by Steve and the aesthetics suggested by the designer, I have to choose the right materials and the appropriate components, from the reflective piping to the best zipper to the label, identifying all the possible solutions, taking into account functionality, style and the cost of the finished product.

I am essentially the hub between design, pattern making and research.

I have a background in pattern making, cutting and sewing; I started working at the machine. I prepare the technical specifications, outlining how to sew the garment and the seat pad.

I do research to find suppliers that can offer the 30 | CASTELLI

type of production we want for the garments and to identify the necessary technologies.

Before Andrea Peron came, I followed the pro racers. We went to them to take their measurements so we could make their clothing to measure.

I still do that today, but I work mostly just with Alex Zanardi and Vittorio Podestà, with whom we have a strong partnership.

Tell me how you ended up working at Castelli.

I worked in a knitwear factory in Abbiategrasso, where I live, near Milan. It was 1981, and we sewed jerseys and shorts from wool.

Lycra hadn’t come yet.

From there I was sent to learn to attach seat pads at Vittore Gianni.

Maurizio Castelli owned the scorpion brand he created in 1975, but he was also heir to the sportswear company of his father, Armando — Vittore Gianni in Vigano.

Maurizio’s wife, Fatim, managed the factory.

From 1990 to 1994 I worked for an external producer for Castelli, and in September 1994 the producer was acquired by the Castelli company.

I was able to work closely with Maurizio for only a few months, unfortunately, because he died of a heart attack in March 1995.

Tell me about Maurizio Castelli.

He was a man who had an unbridled passion for cycling; he lived for cycling. He could have been a

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

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Sonia Vignati

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT talented professional, but an injury prevented him from continuing his career in the sport.

Cycling was his life, and it was for this reason that he always managed to be ahead of the times and was always the first one to test the garments, even when they were still in the prototyping stage.

He had an idea, and right away he’d come to you to ask if it would be possible to develop it so he could try it.

I remember one time, during the short period I was able to work with him, when he came to ask if I could make him a terry-cloth headband that would pull away sweat but at the same time not be uncomfortable.

His passion for cycling was his strength, which allowed him to always stay a step ahead of everyone. He had already started aerodynamic studies, and he followed the pros more closely than anyone else. He didn’t just go to the races, but he’d load the riders into the car and go with them to the best supplier to make sure they always had the best.

He knew how to make people like him. He was generous, and if you happen to talk to technicians, mechanics or pattern makers who were able to work with him, they all always have a good word or leave you with a positive story about Maurizio, whom they remember fondly.

Maurizio was the one who taught me how important it is to address the requirements of the pro riders.

Tell me about the transition from the management in Milan to how you arrived in Fonzaso, with Manifattura Valcismon. What happened after Maurizio’s death?

I’ve really experienced every stage, from moments in the company’s life with Maurizio, to when he died, to the transitional management, which lasted about eight years, to the acquisition by the Cremonese family.

After the death of Maurizio, four people who were his best friends took over the management to carry the business forward.

Initially they were able to continue with the company — and in fact we must remember that at the time they were able to sponsor great cycling teams — but internal conflicts and the brand’s loss of identity due to the loss of an important patriarchal figure like Maurizio caused the company to slowly disintegrate. So it had to resort to acquisition by another company.

Dr. Cremonese, when he arrived, immediately showed a willingness to restore a brand like Castelli, with his strong experience with the company’s line of cycling and cross-country ski clothing, which he was and still is the owner of, and also the strong passion that he has always had for the sport.

Now I see in Steve and the Cremonese family everything I saw in Maurizio Castelli.

Tell me about your best day at the company.

There are many, but I could tell you that the most beautiful days I’ve experienced in the company are above all those where there is sharing, being together, like when the whole company went and had a barbecue on Nevegal to watch the team time trial in the Giro, or when we went to see the Giro again on the Zoncolan.

Other memorable days were when I went to London for the 2012 Olympics to see Zanardi and Podestà, because of my friendship with them.

Just think — right after the medal ceremony they came to give me their bouquet of flowers while I was on the side of the track. I still have the flowers at home; I dried them and put them in a display case.

Then I also went to see Alex at the Ironman he did on Kona. It was another wonderful experience that I was able to have with the company.

Other good memories that I relive every year are those of the party we have during the Castelli 24-hour race in Feltre: an event in the city center that always creates great team spirit among us employees.

And your worst day?

The day the factory in Rosate closed. It was my birthday, November 29, 2005. It was a significant one, and everyone was wishing me a happy birthday, but I was crying. They thought I was emotional because of the personal milestone, but instead it was because with the factory closing I saw a piece of my life slipping away.

A while back you spoke about the Y seat pad. Can you tell me about this invention of yours?

I was in the Castelli factory with Marco Mazza, and, as happened often, I stayed in the sewing room after everyone left. It was probably 6:30, and with two or three seat pads we had we started to

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Sonia Vignati put them together, trying to see the advantages of one or the other.

We made this first prototype, and Marco, who of the four partners was the one who loved cycling the most, tried it.

Everything was made by hand. It was the late ’90s, and 3-D technology wasn’t yet being used for developing things like this.

Tell me about Paola Pezzo, who was an athlete you worked with personally.

Paola Pezzo was talked about a lot because when she won it was swelteringly hot, and when she zipped open her jersey she showed her cleavage. So when she got back here she was called onto every imaginable TV show, but she was a very unpretentious athlete and person.

When she came back to the company, we had a party, and for the occasion we had her wear a silver skinsuit, in the style of the Rockettes, the musical group.

She asked me if it would be possible to make a skinsuit with a higher neck in the front and the zipper in the back, so people wouldn’t talk only about her cleavage.

We made a lot of different skinsuits for her, for many races — leopard print, crocodile or any other color — always very feminine but still far from the image of a pinup that people had assigned to her.

You work here in Fonzaso, but you still live in Abbiategrasso, where you return on the weekends. That’s three and a half hours away. What do you listen to while you drive?

Most of the time I listen to the radio — news or current events — but lately I’ve noticed that I keep the radio turned off and my mind keeps working. I have time for myself, to think. So much so that I get to Milan without even noticing that I’ve driven all that distance.

And then many ideas or solutions come to me while I’m driving.

What do you do in your spare time to relax?

It varies. If I can, I go for a walk or a run, but in the end I don’t have much free time: I’m here all week and on the weekends I try to rest between home and family obligations.

On Sundays I see my son, who comes to visit us.

What’s your next project? The dream you want to achieve in the near term?

To go to Rio to see our Paralympic athletes!

Alex Zanardi, Vittorio Podestà, Francesca Porcellato and Luca Mazzone will be there, and I’m going to see them! I really hope they can bring home as many medals as possible.

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

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Memorable cycling experience

THE QUEEN

OF ALL GRANFONDOS The Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel, the most remarkable granfondo in the world, is naturally presented by Castelli. This race has you climbing over legendary passes like Pordoi, Sella, Gardena, Giau and Falzarego and demands the maximum from your equipment.

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MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES - ENEL

maratona.it

MÜR DL GIAT

Maratona course 138 km Middle course 106 km Sellaronda 55 km

LA VILLA

PASSO GARDENA CORVARA PASSO VALPAROLA PASSO FALZAREGO

POCOL

This is the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel, the queen of all granfondos. It’s grueling, breathtaking, beautiful, fun, overwhelming and unforgettable.

The Maratona is a celebration of cycling, the landscape of the Dolomites and the area’s unique culture.

PASSO SELLA ARABBA PASSO PORDOI

UPS AND DOWNS

PASSO GIAU

1477 MÜR DL GIAT (MAX 19%) 1530 CORVARA

1665 PONTERIO SARÉ

1553 BV SAN CASSIANO

2117 PASSO FALZAREGO 2200 PASSO VALPAROLA

1535 POCOL

2236 PASSO GIAU

1311 RUCAVÀ

1502 CERNADOI

1469 PIEVE DI LIVINALLONGO 1414 ANDRAZ

1875 PASSO CAMPOLONGO 1601 ARABBA

1530 CORVARA (PASSING BY)

2121 PASSO GARDENA

2244 PASSO SELLA

1484 BELVEDERE DI COLLE DI SANTA LUCIA 1314 BV SELVA DI CADORE

Maratona course profile Length: 138 km Climbing: 4,230 m

1871 BV PASSO GARDENA

1853 PLAN DE SCHIAVANEIS

2239 PASSO PORDOI

1601 ARABBA

1875 PASSO COMPOLONGO

1522 CORVARA

1436 LA VILLA (START)

Every year, the closed number of entries ensures that the race runs perfectly for the over 9,000 cyclists, representing 62 nationalities, who are selected from the over 33,000 entry applications. The legendary Campolongo, Sella, Pordoi, Gardena, Giau, Falzarego and Valparola passes, completely closed to traffic, will allow them to tackle the three race routes: the Maratona, 138 km with 4,230 m of climbing; the middle, 106 km with 3,130 m of climbing, and the Sellaronda of 55 km and 1,780 m of climbing.

Because Castelli’s head office is near Alta Badia, Castelli staff live and ride these mountains every day, and it is an honor for the Italian brand to be the official technical clothing supplier and main partner of the Maratona dles Dolomites – Enel.

The sponsorship reflects Castelli’s dedication to performance and perfection, working hard toward a goal and beyond.

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Memorable cycling experience

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MARATONA DLES DOLOMITES - ENEL

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@CASTELLICYCLING

#CASTELLISOCIAL Up-to-date as of May 2th.

We like to keep you in the loop on what’s happening in the Castelli community — with photos, videos and interesting content of all kinds.

In this section we’ve collected the social media content that people liked the most or that we think is most interesting, so if you missed it in your feed, check it out here.

Visit our blog: blog.castelli-cycling.com

Insider news: Sign up for the Castelli Newsletter: castelli-cycling.com/newsletter

Castelli Undersaddle XL Bag https://vimeo.com/145496643 4,077

Strade Bianche race day! The calm before the storm...

We are following the race. Watch out for the Castelli van.

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castellicycling The big powerhouse, Urs Freuler and Daniel Gisiger i! #tbt 3845

#CASTELLISOCIAL

MOST VIEWED PRODUCTS ON CASTELLI-CYCLING.COM

1

GABBA 2 Products like the Gabba Jersey define Castelli.

Innovation, performance, creating products that change pro racing and make you more comfortable.

Best trip for Strava around Castelli HQ Fonzaso (BL) - Valdobbiadene - Follina Tovena - Belluno - Sedico - Cesiomaggiore - Feltre - Fonzaso

FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT

2

We designed the Free Aero Race to be fast by concentrating on helping you get the most out of your body and by optimizing aerodynamics.

4 Rigoberto Urán @UranRigoberto 6 mar Toscana, Italia Mijitos que tal el cambio de color? #DARKARGYLE @castellicycling @Ride_Argyle @cannondalepro 266

CLIMBER’S W JERSEY

NANO FLEX ARMWARMER

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These items have the beauty of simplicity, something a cyclist can rely on without complication.

Not every day is sunny and warm.

This jersey started life as a lightweight jersey to make climbing easier. But it turned out to be ideal for hot weather, and, surprisingly, it’s very good in cool weather or even rain (under a vest or jacket) because it has absolutely minimal moisture absorption.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Following are some questions that fans of Castelli clothing often ask us via the chat function on our site, castelli-cycling.com.

Some are very interesting, and they give us the opportunity to explain better how to use Castelli clothing or allow us to provide recommendations on purchasing the correct pieces.

Can I use the Gabba 2 jersey for protection on descents instead of taking a jacket along too?

Sean, age 31, Boulder, Colorado In the period from March to early June, when it’s not particularly cold but still too early to go out with just your normal team jersey, taking a short-sleeved Gabba 2 and Nano Flex arm warmers can be exactly the right choice.

The Gabba jersey is extremely versatile, and even though it may seem like a piece of cold-weather clothing, it’s actually an excellent option to protect you from the cold on the descent after a strenuous climb.

The distinctive Windstopper® protection proves highly effective in situations like this.

The Gabba can also be a great choice in the early hours of the morning, when there’s still a chill in the air. We saw some members of the Italian national team warming up in the morning with this jersey in Ponferrada, where it’s not at all cold in September.

So, Sean, feel free to use the Gabba 2, and pair it with Nano Flex arm warmers to protect your arms, especially when you first get on the bike.

When I wear the Climber’s Jersey, what base layer should I use?

Alexios, age 24, Athens, Greece The Climber’s Jersey, as versatile as it is, is fundamentally a summer jersey — one that wicks sweat to the outside better than any other, since it’s designed to be used on the hottest days, for the most difficult climbs.

I would recommend that you use it with no base layer underneath on very hot days, when the temperature hits 30°C. It’s a very versatile jersey, though, and I’ve even seen people use it with arm warmers.

If you want to add a base layer, I would recommend the Pro Issue, which would create a great combination for wicking away sweat, as long as it’s not extremely hot out.

This type of base layer will protect you if a few clouds roll in while you’re out riding — and if you overheated a bit before, you’ll stay dry thanks to the excellent moisture wicking.

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CHAT WITH US!

CHAT WITH US! I’ve recently purchased the Perfetto Light Short Sleeve.

What are your recommendations for optimal maintenance of the water repellency? Thanks and kind regards.

Pietro, age 54, Turin, Italy Castelli products have been specially developed to meet the needs of professional athletes at the highest level of the sport, to allow them to perform well in all conditions, from the cold of Belgium in March to the heat of France in July. We select materials that will maximize your performance but that sometimes require some extra care in washing.

We cannot guarantee that your Castelli product will last forever, but we encourage you to follow the care instructions below to maximize the product’s performance and life span.

Castelli breathable softshell garments have been treated with a durable water-repellant (DWR) finish, which keeps the outer fabric from becoming saturated so that the breathable barrier can do its job. If the outer fabric starts to absorb water, the garment can lose up to 70% of its breathability as well as reducing waterproofing.

The outer coating needs to be replenished periodically to keep it from picking up water and dirt. You can rejuvenate the DWR finish by putting the garment in the dryer at low heat for about 20 minutes, or by ironing it under low heat, being careful not to melt the synthetic fibers of your garment.

The DWR finish will wear off over time and you may want to re-treat your Castelli product’s water repellency by applying a commercially available water-repellent spray-on DWR treatment by following these instructions: MAKE SURE THE GARMENT HAS BEEN CLEANED PROPERLY. Your Castelli softshell garment could be soaking up water just because it is dirty. First, try cleaning it. If it is fairly new or recently re-waterproofed, the DWR will be revitalized just from cleaning. But once the garment has been thoroughly worn, you will need to restore the water-resistant finish using a spray-on softshell treatment agent. Make sure to clean the garment first.

SPRAY-ON WATER-REPELLENT TREATMENT INSTRUCTIONS. Make sure the garment has been cleaned properly and is dry.

Lay the garment out flat and spray the entire outer shell with the water-repellent finish, holding the bottle 15 cm from the surface.

Allow the water-repellent finish to soak in for 10-15 minutes.

Wipe off excess water-repellent finish with a damp cloth. Check carefully to make sure no areas have been missed.

Remember, the garment will not become waterproof, but it will take longer for water to penetrate the outer fabric.

How do I wash NANO FLEX products?

Brett, age 43, Bromley, UK To prolong the life of your Castelli Nano Flex garments, we recommend washing the products by hand or on a regular cycle in cool water, followed by line drying (we recommend washing most cycling apparel this way).

Hand or machine wash on a lukewarm permanent press cycle (max. 40°C / 104°F).

Use a small amount of liquid detergent, not powder detergents or any products that contain fabric softeners, conditioners, stain removers or bleach, as they will affect garment performance.

Do not use a fabric softener. This can destroy wicking and waterrepellent treatments.

Hang dry or dry flat. Do not tumble dry.

If necessary to reactive the water repellency, you can also tumble dry on low heat for about 20 minutes. If you are unable to tumble dry, iron the dry garment on a gentle setting (warm, no steam) by placing a towel or cloth between the garment and the iron. Do not iron over the heat-transfer Castelli and Nano Flex letters.

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Frequently Asked Questions Is there a difference between men’s and women’s chamois? Can the sexes wear chamois not designed for their body?

Eduardo, age 35, Gerona, Spain Yes, the main difference is in the outer shape, the width of the padding at the sit bones, the form and transitions in the perineum area, and the absence of the “drip shelf ” in the women’s pads. While the differences are real, a good pad will still be fairly comfortable for the other gender.

CHAT WITH US! Hello. I’d like to ask you to kindly recommend a base layer and summer jersey, bearing in mind that I sweat a lot, and as a result I often get chilled, especially when riding granfondos that have many climbs and descents in succession. I look forward to your response with all the information and options.

Best regards.

Carlo, age 64, Palermo, Italy If the crucial thing is to stay dry in order to not get chilled by the wind, the secret is to wick away sweat from the skin and let it evaporate as quickly as possible. This reduces the cold sensation that we feel primarily on days that are hot but not too sunny. In other words, you’re looking for garments that wick away moisture very effectively and that also ensure a high level of comfort for long races like granfondos.

Castelli’s clothing has its roots in road racing, so the concept of moisture management is a primary focus. But to make a specific suggestion, the PRO ISSUE SLEEVELESS + META JERSEY FZ would seem to be the winning combination for this type of requirement.

PRO ISSUE SLEEVELESS This is the base layer that our pros use for most of the year.

With this piece you’re not looking for warmth, but rather something that helps move moisture away from your body and helps your jersey provide the performance you need. Our 3D mesh fabric creates air space next to the skin, while the capillary action of the polyester fibers moves sweat away from the body.

META JERSEY FZ This jersey was made for granfondos. The graphic was created on the model we developed for the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel, the highest-profile granfondo in the world. The jersey is lightweight, dries quickly and is easy to open for increased airflow, and it offers a fit that works well on the many different body types that can be found at an event like the Maratona.

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PHOTO FINISH | 45 Answers: 1. Stefano Garzelli (1998), 2. Evgen Petrov (2000), 3. Greg Lemond (1990), 4. Laurent Fignon (1983)

3 1

4 2

How much do you know about cycling?

Who’s the rider in the picture?

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

The revolutionary Free Aero Race Bibshort

INSIDE THE PRODUCT FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT

Wind Tunnel testing, Politecnico di Milano

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INSIDE THE PRODUCT: FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT The creation of the Free Bibshort was one of our greatest and most enjoyable challenges in recent years. How could we improve on a bibshort that was already considered the best by many cyclists, both professional and amateur?

We deliberately did not totally revolutionize the entire structure of the traditional Free, which has made its way all over the world since 2007, but we have improved every single essential element in an effort to approach perfection. This process took two years of studies and field tests with our athletes. Riders from Cannondale Pro Cycling Team used it for a full season in their races and training, testing it in all weather conditions and over thousands of kilometers. Considering that a pro cyclist rides an average of about 30,000 km per year, this helps us confirm the durability of each individual material used in the Free Bibshort as well as ensuring a perfect fit for all the hours spent on the bike.

BORN IN THE WIND TUNNEL The detail that received the most attention in the development of the Free was aerodynamic performance.

We performed various tests in the wind tunnel, with different prototype versions to figure out which combination of pattern and fabrics would offer the best aerodynamics combined with the greatest comfort. In the end, the fabrics we see in the Free Bibshort are the winning solution for the best performance.

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The revolutionary Free Aero Race Bibshort

It’s probably the best short I’ve ever used. It’s great to have confidence in your equipment like that as well.

After six hours in the saddle you’re still going to be in fighting shape for the finish.

Jack Bauer - Cannondale Pro Cycling Team

The Free Aero Race short has been engineered as our premier race short.

Our first Free Aero Race debuted in 2007 and has undergone continuous improvement as we develop new fabrics and construction methods and respond to feedback from our professional teams.

We designed the Free Aero Race to be fast by concentrating on helping you get the most out of your body and by optimizing aerodynamics. The other main goal in this short is comfort, because the pros will be riding 30,000 km per year, and a four-hour ride isn’t even considered long. While the Free Aero Race short has been engineered for top-level racing, all its features make it an ideal short for whatever your cycling challenge.

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Responses like this from our Cannondale Pro Cycling Team riders mean the Free Aero Race Bibshort is doing exactly what it was made for. It’s our best effort at what a race short should offer: Speed: we developed the Vortex dimpled fabric for the side panels and the new structured GiroAir leg band that helps induce turbulence to improve penetration through the air. In fact, our wind tunnel testing of the 2015 Cannondale Pro Cycling Team-issue Free short showed a 10-watt improvement from the 2014 Body Paint bibshort at 50 km/h. That’s the same fast short that you can get in three different graphic treatments or in a custom design through our Servizio Corse program.

Comfort: six-hour races or training rides mean everything has to be right. Our Progetto X2 Air seat pad went through five modifications to improve it for this short.

The race fit follows your every move.

And we engineered a new bib strap yoke to better follow your body when in the cycling position. Seams are flat to prevent irritation.

Performance: we made this short to help your body perform. The Forza fabric has 38 percent Lycra® content to help support your muscles. The Free bib strap is a minimalist design so you don’t have an extra layer holding in heat while also not impeding stomach breathing at maximum effort. The GiroAir leg elastic spreads the load over a wider area so as not to constrict blood flow.

A true race short has to tick a lot of boxes, and this list represents just some of the objectives in our 18-month development process — all focused on the goal of hearing the approval of our pro riders, the toughest critics, as we work to make the perfect short for you.

INSIDE THE PRODUCT: FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT

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Riding around the Castelli HQ

CASTELLI LUNCH RIDES

southern foothills of the Dolomites offer some of the best cycling playgrounds in the world. Being coming from someone who’s been by Salzkammergut and Salzburg a true cycling paradise that’s a significant statement.

Contrary to the widespread belief that we are riding bikes every day (some even believe all day), we enjoy our beautiful 50 | CASTELLI

surroundings during our lunchtime rides or a post-work spin in the evening.

It is not unusual that we test prototypes or new concepts during those rides. The Croce d’Aune loop is also the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air at lunch or test myself after a hectic day in the office. When riding the loop clockwise, there is not much time for an easy warm-

Fonzaso — the location of the Castelli HQ. When searching for this destination on the map, one would not expect to find the home of a leading cycling apparel company or a fantastic area for bike riding. But on second glance it becomes obvious that the

up before the ascent kicks off. After leaving Fonzaso toward Fiera di Primiero and turning left (to avoid the main road’s tunnel), the shortcut up to the top of Croce d’Aune with a moderate gradient helps me quickly find my own rhythm.

The road up to Faller is in good condition and offers numerous views down to the valley. I usually avoid the direct way up

CASTELLI LUNCH RIDES to the top, which has bad road conditions, and continue descending toward Servo.

Back on the road that leads up from Sorriva, the striking church tower of Aune can be seen soon and is an unmistakable sign that the road will steepen. On a good day it’s the perfect section for an attack or test to the legs. After moving to Italy I quickly found out that a 12-25 cassette and sporadic training a bad combination.

I still remember my first ride up Croce d’Aune back in 2012, the day after the Castelli 24H race when I was persuaded to join a group in pouring rain. I wouldn’t have survived that ride without my Gabba jersey. Back then I didn’t have time to stop at the summit to check the Campagnolo monument, commemoration of the invention of the quick release by Tullio Campagnolo. Think of it at your next wheel change.

Depending on the weather, effort and

time available, a restaurant at pass altitude provides an opportunity for refreshments, snacks or a quick coffee stop. The descent down to Pedavena is pure fun: the perfect road acts as an invitation for a high-speed adrenaline rush. Back down in the valley, as part of a lunch ride when I’m doing this loop I usually opt for the fastest possible way back to the office. If you can dedicate more time, a stop at one of the typical Italian bars is worth it.

This loop is just an example of the countless riding options we can choose from when escaping from daily life.

Bernhard Plainer, Global Marketing and Communication office, like riding bikes (road, time trial and triathlon) and the opportunity to explore unknown areas and discover hidden views. A satisfying ride for him should include a good mix of climbs. He dosen’t accept any compromise regarding material, especially when it comes to sports clothing, and always on the hunt for innovations and that perfect kit.

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GIRO EQUIPMENT How to dress for a grand tour

STAGE 1 Individual TT. (Apeldoorn)

By Andrea Peron, Castelli Race Performance Director, former pro rider and team TT world champion in Stuttgart, Germany in 1991.

Based on the characteristics of the stage and the weather conditions, every rider makes his own clothing choices. It’s important to show up at the start with the “perfect” clothing, but it’s also important to select the right pieces to have in the team car during the race or in the team bus before the race when there will be a warm-up session on the rollers.

Below Andrea analyzes the most significant stages of the Giro d’Italia 2016 from the point of view of the riders’ clothing.

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Since this is a time trial, I’ll use the TT Suit 3.1. The highest-performance and most aerodynamic product currently available, it is the result of hours and hours of research, aerodynamic studies and wind tunnel tests. The different fabrics used, along with the cut and the seam placement on specific points on the body, ensure maximum aerodynamic efficiency and energy savings. Along with the TT Suit 3.1, I’ll wear the Aero Speed Glove, our super-specific glove for time trialing.

Because the warm-up is done on the rollers, and therefore the body will generate a lot of heat and perspiration, I will choose the Climber’s Jersey: the lightest-weight jersey, but at the same time the one that dissipates moisture the best, preventing the jersey from becoming soaked with all the sweat produced when riding on the rollers.

BODY PAINT 3.0 SPEED SUIT LS

GRAND TOUR EQUIPMENT

STAGES 2-3

STAGE 6

Flat (Arnhem - Nijmegen / Arnhem Nijmegen) These stages are always very tricky, both because of the weather conditions and because of the wind. It’s best to be as aerodynamic as possible. So, the San Remo 3.2 Suit. What is most aerodynamic for road races is perfect for the wind up there in the Netherlands. Another important point to note is the great variability of the weather: it will almost certainly rain along some parts of the course. So to make sure I always have rain protection with me, I will have the Tempesta Vest in the pocket of my jersey right from the start. It’s very lightweight and packable, and I don’t even

Medium mountain (Ponte - Roccaraso) The first mountaintop finish. Here as well, light weight and high performance are needed, the Free Bibshort and Climber’s Jersey. The Free short is the best a short can offer: great muscle support, but without the discomfort of feeling seams pressing on the muscles. Plus, the different fabrics used ensure that this short is extremely aerodynamic. feel it in my pocket. If the risk of rain is greater, I’ll bring the Tempesta Jacket instead of the vest. This new jacket fits comfortably in a pocket and at the same time offers an aerodynamic fit when I put it on, thanks to the new fully waterproof stretch fabric. In the event that the weather forecasts are really nasty, predicting rain all day, then I will trust the guarantee of the Gabba: perfect for racing with the best performance in difficult conditions involving echelons and wet roads.

STAGES 4-5 Medium mountain, flat (Catanzaro - Praia a Mare/ Praia a Mare - Benevento) The race returns to Italy and to the south.

It will certainly be very hot. Here the Inferno Bibshort and Climbers Jersey will be ideal. When it’s hot I prefer the Inferno short because it’s very light and cool but sacrifices absolutely none of the necessary comfort that a race short must provide.

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How to dress for a grand tour

STAGES 7-13

STAGE 14

Medium mountain, flat, mountain TT (Sulmona - Foligno / Foligno - Arezzo / Rada in Chianti - Greve in Chianti / Campi Bisenzio - Sestola / Modena - Asolo / Nolae Bibione / Palmanova Cividale del Friuli)

High mountain (Farra d’Alpago - Corvara)

Now the classification is starting to take shape, and for riders who are not toward the top it’s time to try their hand at establishing a break. This stage is perfect: rolling terrain, but not impossible. So today, to take my chance in the breakaway, I’ll choose the Aero Free Bibshort and Aero Race Jersey 5.1, a combination that allows me to stay out in the wind all day, to save watts on every kilometer, and arrive fresher at the finale so I can take a shot at victory. The Aero Race Jersey 5.1 represents the latest development in aerodynamic jerseys. It incorporates all of Castelli’s experience in the world of racing and performance and countless hours of studies and wind tunnel tests. What I like most about this jersey, though, beyond the aerodynamics, is how comfortable it is to wear. Before, if you wanted to wear an aero jersey you had to give up some comfort.

Now I finally have a super-fast jersey that is very, very comfortable!

This is where the real Alps and the very difficult stages begin... Rather than having a single kit, it’s better to start out well prepared for any eventuality. The dramatic conditions encountered on some alpine stages in recent years (we all remember the Stelvio stage of the last edition) remind us of this. The basic kit will be the classic Free short and Climber’s Jersey.

But I will adapt it according to the latest weather forecasts. I will definitely have the Tempesta Jacket with me throughout the day again. Thanks to its light weight and

easy storage in a jersey pocket, it offers the best in quick protection against the rain and cold, so I don’t have to wait for the team car — which on these stages could be far from me. I will give the team car, instead, all my “emergency” supplies for extreme situations: 1. Tempesta Pant. A new and revolutionary pant that is completely waterproof. With this I am sure not to freeze my legs during long descents in the rain.

2. Tempesta Leg Warmer. Thanks to the silicone layer, the water that gets sprayed on my legs by my front wheel is no longer a problem.

3. Tempesta Glove. This new glove with OutDry technology finally keeps my hands dry and warm. In addition to being more comfortable, it means my fingers have full functionality on the brakes, so I don’t need to worry about having problems braking due to frozen fingers on the long alpine descents.

4. Gabba 2 offers an additional thermal and protective layer in case of extreme conditions. If the weather is truly severe, I will use the Gabba 2 under the Tempesta Jacket. This gives me another thermal layer that is resistant to water under a completely waterproof jacket.

STAGE 15 Individual TT (Castelrotto/Kastelruth - Alpe di Siusi / Seiseralm)

FREE AERO RACE BIBSHORT

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For this unusual mountain time trial, I prefer to use the San Remo 3.2 Suit: a skinsuit for the road, but very aerodynamic.

GRAND TOUR EQUIPMENT The results in the wind tunnel showed it to be just slightly slower than the TT Suit 3.1.

I choose the San Remo 3.2 rather than the TT Suit 3.1 because the TT suit is designed specifically for the extreme position on the time trial bike. Here, because road bikes will be used, the San Remo 3.2 will give me better performance.

Note that there is a section with a 15% gradient 200 m before the summit in Fai. If the weather is expected to be sunny, a Climber’s Jersey and Inferno short will be called for a Perfetto Light could be helpful if it’s rainy, because at these elevations a bit of rain can significantly lower the temperature.

STAGES 16-17 STAGES 18-21 High mountain, flat (Bressanone/Brixen - Andalo / Molveno - Cassano D’Adda)

Two stages with long climbs and descents.

It starts with a false flat, descending gradually for the first 40 km to just after Bolzano (intermediate sprint), where the peloton takes on the classic climb to Passo Mendola before the long and undulating descent to the foot of the final climb. This climb is divided into two parts: the first part to Fai della Paganella (categorized climb) and the second to the stage finish.

Medium mountain , high mountain, flat (Muggiò - Pinerolo / Pinerolo - Risoul / Giullestre - Sant’Anna di Vinadio / Cuneo - Torino) Considering that the stages start downhill and we are in the mountains, the best thing for the beginning of the stage is the Fawesome 2 Vest worn over the Aero Race Jersey 5.1. Excellent wind protection, good warmth and good breathability. When the action heats up, I can easily remove it and put it in my pocket until I have a chance to hand it off to the team car.

FAWESOME VEST

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Testing Castelli clothing on the Dolomite climbs

Søren Jensen, Global Marketing and Communication office, can usually be found riding the back roads and dirt trails testing new gear in the Dolomites outside Feltre, Italy. If you can’t find him there, check the Castelli headquarters in Fonzaso.

Two breathtaking climbs that overlook the Ladin valleys, Passo Sella and Passo Pordoi will witness the pros battle on the same roads in pursuit of the maglia rosa in the 2016 Giro d’Italia.

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Length of climb: 9.2 km Starting elevation: 1,601 m (5,253 ft.)

Final elevation: 2,239 m (7,345 ft.)

Elevation gain: 638 m Average gradient: 6.9% Steepest gradient: 9%

Total hairpins: 33 Times Giro d’Italia passed the Pordoi: 39 Gearing suggestion: 34x25 (minimum)

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Located between the Gruppo del Sella and the high Marmolada group, the Pordoi pass is at an altitude of 2,239 m. Although the climb from Arabba is relatively short at just 9.2 km, with a constant gradient hovering between 6% and 9% and never tipping beyond double figures, the Pordoi has an enviably rich cycling heritage. First used in the 1940 Giro d’Italia, it has witnessed more race action than many of its peers put together, and a monument at the top is dedicated to the great Italian champion Fausto Coppi, who was the first to summit the Pordoi in the Giro no less than five times.

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On paper, this may look like an easy ride, but only until the wind picks up and decides the pace of your climb. In the first 3.5 km of the Pordoi, you have just 4 series of hairpins with a few long straights in between. If you get headwind here at the beginning, it will be tough the whole way to the top. After the first 3.5 km, the real Pordoi starts: 22 hairpins in 4.5 km! This is an average of 1 hairpin every 200 meters. In the last kilometer up to the top of the pass, let the wind decide your pace again.

“The Pordoi is the easiest-to-ride pass of the Sella group. When I ride on the Pordoi, it always feels like a kind of an elevation to the top: this gives me a great feeling of lightheartedness. The Pordoi is connected to Coppi and Bartali, who wrote cycling history on these roads” says Maria Canins, two-time winner of the Grande Boucle Féminine.

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Testing Castelli clothing on the Dolomite climbs

PASSO SELLA

(from the Pordoi junction, Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel circuit)

Passo Sella is named after the majestic Sella massif group of mountains that you ride around when completing the Sella Ronda circuit. Sella is a climb that offers fabulous scenery. At 2,244 m Passo Sella has twice been the Cima Coppi, or highest point of the Giro d’Italia.

In the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel sportive, Passo Sella comes immediately after the descent from Passo Pordoi. The steepest gradient of the climb, 12%, appears in three places. After 1.2 km from the start, things get serious. A left turn takes you to the side of the mountain that you will climb all the way to the top. strava.com/segments/1493727 The Sella can be a challenge to climb because it doesn’t have a steady gradient. Luckily, it’s short; there are only 4.5 km left to reach the top.

2242 - PASSO PORDOI

Length of climb: 5.5 km Starting elevation: 1,808 m (5,932 ft.)

Final elevation: 2,244 m (7,362 ft.)

Elevation gain: 436 m Average gradient: 7.9% Steepest gradient: 12%

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How to prepare for a long ride

NUTRITION

TIPS

if we put in inappropriate fuel, the engine will struggle and perhaps not even start.

By Iader Fabbri, athletic trainer and nutritional consultant for all the Italian national cycling teams and Rai Sport commentator on nutrition iaderfabbri.com instagram.com/iaderfabbri

The first thing professional cyclists or athletes think when they decide to practice a sport is to focus on that discipline, looking for the most effective way to improve their own performance.

But “peak performance” is actually the result of a balanced blend of three important factors: training, rest and nutrition. It is worth nothing here that authoritative scientific studies have shown that nutrition is as important as training, or even slightly more so. We can have our car super tuned for top performance, but

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A pro rider during the — always extremely challenging — stages of the next Giro d’Italia will need to consider many factors that can increase the need for sugars, such as the weather conditions. He will also need to remember that by two weeks in, he will find it significantly more difficult to start each stage with full muscle glycogen stores — not to mention that fatigue and inflammation can affect anabolic processes as well.

In my profession I always like to begin with an analysis of the specific movement from all points of view and then find the optimal solution to support my athlete in the best way possible. Especially in endurance sports, the right strategy for the nutrition and supplementation plan is to divide the requirements based on the hormonal changes induced by physical activity, so before the activity, during the activity and after the activity.

Many studies show that the important thing to focus on before the activity is starting with full glycogen stores and without major fluctuations in glycemia

— that is, the concentration of sugar in the blood — in the three hours before the race. This effect can be achieved by adding protein to the prerace meal. Now even the professional world has adapted to this approach, and we increasingly see that egg whites, eggs or lean cold cuts are being added at the team tables.

During physical activity, the hormonal balance of the body changes, so it is essential to supply a good quantity of fastabsorbing sugars at regular intervals in relation to the intensity and duration of the effort. The sources most widely used by professional cyclists are bars, small sweet or sometimes savory sandwiches, almond paste, or gel and liquid sugars. Today, many professional teams, especially those from the English-speaking world, are doing a very good job with sports nutrition, and fortunately this is leading to a progressive change in the diets of professional cyclists, who have

NUTRITION TIPS unfortunately been bound by tradition to foods that offer very little in the way of scientifically proven performance benefit.

In the “after” phase, the main difference between a cyclist in the Giro d’Italia and an amateur who does a single ride or race is that while the professional will use specific supplements (and not just for quick recovery in view of the next major effort), the amateur can also choose, as source of recovery, foods rich in carbohydrates such as grains or also sweets, and thus satisfy his or her cravings for treats that were mostly avoided in the days before the race. So it is increasingly important what we put in our mouths and above all when, because the timing is really critical — before and during and after.

In the post-race phase, after a demanding stage the pro cyclist will necessarily need to focus the most on recovering what was lost during the effort: water, electrolytes, blocking inflammation, decreasing some catabolic hormones (which break down muscle) and promoting anabolic hormones (which stimulate muscle growth). But above all the rider will need to think about replacing the glycogen stores in the liver and muscles, which are essential for the performance that will need to be repeated the next day.

If this approach were followed in a slightly different form by amateurs, for the Maratona dles Dolomites - Enel, nothing would change on a physiological level, because we are still talking about bipedal mammals, but certainly an amateur would most likely not come from 13 consecutive days of competition, but rather from a week of tapering in order to be in top condition for the important race.

In the week of tapering, when the volume and intensity of training are reduced, an amateur rider’s glycogen stores will be easily kept almost always full, and therefore the rider should only be careful not to overload and gain unnecessary weight in the days before the event, perhaps driven by the fear of needing to be

“full” to tackle the long race. In reality, if the muscle glycogen stores are full, it’s just like with a car, where continuing to add fuel threatens to overflow the tank; the corresponding physiological mechanism is the retention of water and fat.

For the “before, during and after the race” strategy, there are no great differences in approach — the only difference being that today amateur racers are much more informed and have studied many specialized magazines and books, and so, in some ways, especially in the “during” phase, amateurs are on average much more careful and farsighted than professionals.

So, very often, sensible amateurs consume sugars in liquid or gel form during their races, like the professionals do — of course, always interspersed with and accompanied by adequate hydration with electrolytes and water.

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Claudio Toselli, Castelli salesman

Passionate Claudio Toselli

CYCLIST & SALESMAN When did your passion for cycling start?

It was in 1967, when I was 15 years old. My passion began during summer vacation, when I watched the Giro d’Italia on television and got excited about the participants’ athletic exploits.

Why sales? When and how did you start?

I was a cyclist, and my career enabled me to wear the national jersey in the Peace Race. When I retired from racing, I saw an advertisement in a newspaper and sent my résumé to Rosate, near Milan, where after a few days I had a meeting with Maurizio Castelli, who was looking for an agent for Emilia-Romagna. Maurizio chose me, and my working relationship with Castelli has continued since that October day in 1981.

What is your approach to planning a new sales campaign? What are the key points to consider when you start a new campaign?

I must say that even today, when a sales campaign starts I’m excited and motivated, because this responsibility is very stimulating and rewarding professionally; I give and receive at the same time. I try to plan everything, focusing on the most important points, starting from my top clients or at least those that can make a significant

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order. Everything takes place in a relationship of transparent information exchange, with the aim of consciously developing the space inside the store.

Do you think a cycling background is critical in your work?

I believe that some people are born salesmen, but the background helps us and gives us credibility in the eyes of our clients who know our history, especially in a sector like ours that is very technical and steeped in passion. This combination, if we are good, makes a big difference.

Does it seem hard to be “still in the saddle” after so many years of battling on behalf of “Veloce Club Castelli”?

Honestly, no. I always feel like I’m at the beginning of a story that never ends and always looks forward.

What do you think distinguishes Castelli from other brands?

I think its Italian origins, the continuous product innovation and the product quality, but above all the passion for cycling of all those who have contributed and are contributing to the growth of the scorpion brand, not least the Cremonese family.

CYCLIST & SALESMAN

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Skin care products

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT We have been developing our skin care products for almost two years, finetuning the ingredients and testing the various versions on a panel of riders. Our partnership with several skin care experts has allowed us to develop unique products while ensuring that the product formulas are both effective and safe.

We tested multiple different versions of the creams to get just the right performance. A group of cyclists blind tested these creams along with leading competitors’ products, and the final versions of our Linea Pelle products were the top-ranked products in

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these tests for almost all the testers.

We have made every effort to avoid any ingredients that can irritate the skin or damage technical cycling fabrics. Many of the ingredients are natural, avoiding any synthetic ingredients that are associated with potential health issues.

The packaging is important as well. The tubes make it easy to get an exact amount of cream and are more hygienic than jars.

The 100 ml size means you can fly with the tubes in your carry-on luggage.

A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF COMFORT FOUL WEATHER CREAM This cream is designed to protect your skin from wet, dirty conditions. It is not petroleum based and won’t damage the fabric of your bike shorts. It is also easier to clean off with soap and warm water.

CHAMOIS DRY LUBE Moist skin is softer and more susceptible to abrasion, as any rider who has done a long race in the rain can attest. Our dry lube reduces friction without weakening the skin through moisturizers. We also use 100% natural tea tree oil for antibacterial and antimicrobial properties to help prevent infections and saddle sores.

WARMING EMBRO CREAM This cream creates a warming sensation that helps “wake up” muscles on cooler days or can also help relieve sore muscles.

We used mostly natural ingredients to create a strong warming sensation but without the burning feeling that you get with some products. This cream can be used underneath the Foul Weather Cream for racing in cold and wet conditions.

The new chamois cream is a great addition to the Castelli range!

My races, long rides and runs feel even more comfortable now! Love it!

Frederik Van Lierde - 2013 Ironman World Champion

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Fast clothing for your next Ironman

PRODUCT

DEVELOPMENT WITH SOME OF THE BEST ATHLETES IN THE WORLD It’s a long and sometimes complex journey before crossing the line to the cheers of the crowd as a winner. A season has to be planned carefully because long distance triathletes only have one or two shots a year for a big race.

Just like the pros, Castelli also leaves nothing to chance, and we are constantly thinking of how to improve our products so that athletes can enjoy as many such moments as possible.

This includes selecting the right fabrics, optimizing the pattern design, extensive in-house tests and, last but not least, sophisticated sessions in the wind tunnel. This spring we again went to the Milan wind tunnel 66 | CASTELLI

with Marino Vanhoenacker to test new apparel ideas and refine his bike setup.

Already some years ago it was proven that sleeves are faster than skin. Shortsleeved race kits became indispensable for the best possible aerodynamics on the bike. A few years ago professional athletes with short- or even longsleeved race suits were smiled at. Castelli was one of the first triathlon clothing brands to introduce a short-sleeved race suit with full zip, available for everyone in spring 2014 but preceded by hours of testing in the wind tunnel and multiple prototype sessions to guarantee the best possible fit and

TRIATHLON

Timothy O’Donnell 3rd, Ironman Hawaii 2015

Upper left: Timothy O’Donnell all aero on Queen K Highway Above and below: Marino Vanhoenacker testing the T1: Stealth Top in the Milan wind tunnel

I’d call myself quite picky when it comes to choosing the perfect equipment, and I spare no effort to improve my material.

The central issue is fit. A race combo has to fit really well so that no unwanted aero drag is caused. The T1:Stealth Top is a piece I’ve always wanted to have as an option. I was involved in the development process of that top from the very beginning.

In Kona 2013 a prototype made a decisive contribution to improving my bike split by almost 9 minutes.

Its short-sleeved construction not only provides great aerodynamics; it also protects me from the sun, and, soaked with water, it really is a great tool for keeping cool.

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Fast clothing for your next Ironman performance. The all new 2016 Free Sanremo Suit SS is even more comfortable and can be worn for the entire race which means it allows enough freedom of movement also for swimming and running.

It took a little while to convince professional athletes, but in the year 2015 this trend couldn’t be overlooked. At Kona 2015 the top 10 men (16 of the top 20) were racing in short-sleeved tops (women: six of the top 10). Thus the pros set a trend and acted as a model for every ambitious triathlete.

Many top stars of the scene don’t want to race without short-sleeved kits any longer.

Depending on the weather or personal preferences, our athletes can choose from

two different short-sleeved options. The Free Sanremo Suit Short Sleeve is the first choice for Frederik van Lierde and Andreas Raelert on most occasions. Both prefer the idea of wearing the same race kit for the entire race without having to make compromises in regard aerodynamics or comfort.

On the other hand we see that athletes like Mirinda Carfrae, Marino Vanhoenacker and Timothy O’Donnell prefer changing kits for each discipline. The latter played a key role in developing the first version of the T1:Stealth Top back in 2013.

The Stealth is a no-compromise piece especially designed for the bike leg. It can be put on quickly in T1 and can save up to six minutes during the 180km Ironman bike course.

Above right: Frederik Van Lierde in the new Free Sanremo Suit Short Sleeve Below: Marino Vanhoenacker in 2015, winning Ironman Austria for the 7th time

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TRIATHLON

PRO TIP Frederik Van Lierde 2013 Ironman World Champion

In case of a non-wetsuit swim, wearing short-sleeved race tops/ suits during swimming is prohibited.

If you don’t want to go for the aero benefits and comfort of your Sanremo, try this (optional: underneath your swimskin): 1. Unzip your Sanremo SS and roll it down to the waist.

2. Fold back the sleeves, inside out, and stow them so that they don’t slow you down in the water (best underneath your legal swimskin).

3. You can easily slide into the sleeves of the Sanremo SS in T1 and benefit from the performance advantage for the rest of the race.

Above: Frederik Van Lierde in the new Free Sanremo Short Sleeve Below: Mirinda Carfrae, Kona 2015 wearing a T1: Stealth W Top

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PHOTO FINISH

DIGITAL MAGAZINE. Read and download the latest issue of Photofinish from the link below: issuu.com/castelli-cycling PAPER ISSUE I you prefer the actual paper magazine, send us an email with your contact details to receive the next issue of Photo Finish. info@castelli-cycling.com

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strava.com/athletes/castelli-cycling

BORN IN THE WIND TUNNEL. TESTED BY THE PROS. We develop our clothing with a single aim: to give you the greatest aerodynamic advantage.

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