More than a kit supplier
To some people the link between Team Sky and Castelli is obvious. But we still get some people asking “Why Sky?”
Sir Dave Brailsford said it best: “They will be more than a kit supplier; they will be an innovation partner. Castelli has a long history of breaking new ground when it comes to kit and design. We will continue to push hard to make sure our riders have the best clothing and equipment, and we’re already excited about some of the ideas Castelli are working on with us.”
Sir Dave is describing the partnership from Team Sky’s point of view, but he also perfectly captures why Castelli wants to partner with Team Sky. Our goal at Castelli is to make sure riders have the best clothing and equipment, to be the leading performance-based innovator in technical sports apparel, and to continue to incubate ideas that make your riding faster and more fun.
“They will be more than a kit supplier; they will be an innovation partner.”
Both Team Sky and Castelli have product innovation not only as part of the ethos but also as part of the formal organization. By combining the most innovative apparel producer with the most innovative team, and by aligning the innovation resources from both parties, we’re building a structure to push the performance envelope of clothing far beyond what we know today.
But what are those future products? For sure we’ll continue to push the envelope in aerodynamics. But as in wheels, bikes and helmets, the big aero gains have already been achieved. The future is in new types of products that you didn’t know you needed. Like the aero jerseys: in 2008 you could win the Tour de France in an ill fitting floppy jersey but in 2009 the Cervélo TestTeam showed the Castelli aero jerseys to the world (in reality we had made them in 2007 for Saunier Duval) and by the next year you couldn’t race with an old style jersey. Or the Castelli Gabba that has completely revolutionized how the pros dress for cold and wet. Or the Sanremo speed suit that Castelli debuted to Paris-Roubaix victory in 2011 and since then either the original or copies by Vermarc, Etxe-Ondo or Craft have won all but 2 editions of Paris-Roubaix.
Our shared goal with Team Sky is to invent products that will help give Team Sky riders an edge in racing and training. But for Castelli our additional goal is the trickle down of those products to you, whether you’re a future pro, amateur racer, or the rider who would have won 3 rainbow jerseys if you had discovered cycling at a younger age. We’re looking for that next Gabba type product that will make every ride better. Many of the Team Sky products are available in the Castelli range with a different graphic, or in the Servizio Corse custom program with your team graphic on the exact same models that win WorldTour races.
For 2017 Team Sky will have 15 brand new products developed with and for them. The new Pro Light Vest and Pro Fit Light Rain Jacket are available now in Servizio Corse. Others like the new Alpha RoS Jacket and the LW Bib Tight will be coming to the Winter 17 collection. While other products are being refined with the pros and will be available when we think they’re ready.
It sounds cliché but it’s true. The real winner of Team Sky + Castelli is you.
Discover more: Teamsky.com Castelli-cycling.com/teamsky