Castelli | InsiderNews – Tagged "Photo finish"

andra peron, clothing, giro d'italia, how to, how to dress, Photo finish, Product talk, tour de france, tricks, tutorial - August 14, 2016

How to dress for a grand tour

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. We took a moment to chat with Andrea Peron, Castelli Race Performance Director, about what clothing the riders of team Cannondale-Drapac selected during the most significant stages of the 2016 Giro d’Italia. STAGE 1 Individual TT. (Apeldoorn) 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 ...

Nutrition tips: how to prepare for a long ride

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

Castelli lunch rides: Croce d’Aune loop

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 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 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-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 ...

Inside the product. The revolutionary 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. 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 ...

Sonia Vignati on the process of creating a new product

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 ...

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Photo finish RSS

How to dress for a grand tour

Nutrition tips: how to prepare for a long ride

Castelli lunch rides: Croce d’Aune loop

Inside the product. The revolutionary Free Aero Race Bibshort

Sonia Vignati on the process of creating a new product

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