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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 ...
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 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. Short-sleeved race kits became indispensable for the best possible aerodynamics on the bike. A few years ago professional athletes with short- or even long-sleeved race suits were smiled at. 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 ...
Founding a team: „The Trivolution Action Crew“
Many triathletes – Age Grouper or Pros – trust in a coach when it comes to their training or helping them to get a better athlete. They need advice in terms of training, nutrition, bike fitting, mental fitness, how to stay injury free or how to improve their swim technique just to name a few things that athletes worry about. Can one person be a specialist in all these areas? Of course a good coach should be an expert when it comes to daily training, race tactics or how to stay injury free. But does he need to be a mental coach or an aerodynamic expert? I would say no. But how can an athlete receive a professional environment where he only needs to concentrate on his training and is supported in all other aspects of triathlon? To cure this problem Susanne and I founded Trivolution-Training.de, a coaching network based in Wiesbaden, Germany. An association of experts with different strengths with one primary goal: help to become a better, healthier and happier triathlete. Even if I’m racing at pro level on the long distance, I’m also a coach since 2011 after graduated in sport science. Over the years I had ...
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 ...
Castelli custom clothing – tested by Cyclingweekly
Story by Chris Hovenden | cyclingweekly.co.uk Custom kit goes much further than just teams and clubs nowadays. When it comes to making cycling kit, the Italian company has an impressive pedigree. Castelli started manufacturing clothing in 1876, in the 1940s it created custom jerseys for Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi, and it claims to have been the first to use the current sublimation printing process back in 1983. If you choose Castelli’s Pro Issue range you’ll get the same kit as supplied to the WorldTour Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team. However, if you are looking for a more forgiving fit there’s the Team issue range that is aimed at club riders. The on test Pro Issue custom kit looks top drawer and feels high quality to the touch. Costing £74.99 (plus VAT and based on an order of 10) the Free Aero Race Bibshorts aren’t cheap, but even at that hefty price they are hard to fault. The chamois gives you no reason to complain whether sat up on the back of the saddle or riding on the rivet in a more forward, aggressive position. The side panels are dimpled for improved aerodynamics; and the netted gripper does a great job ...