The Italian bicycle brand Castelli is one of the most famous producers of cycling clothing. They have been the official supplier of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia classification jerseys for years and there are also numerous Pro Team cycling teams who wear their cycling clothing.
Castelli is also a popular brand with many cycling enthusiasts who challenge the rain, the wind and the sun, especially thanks to their constantly innovative cycling clothing.
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Clothing for AC Milan and Juventus
The history of the Castelli brand starts in 1876 when tailor Vittore Gianni opens his sewing workshop in Milan, his clients include the football teams AC Milan and Juventus.
Five-time Giro winner Alfredo Binda also becomes a regular customer and in 1910 Vittore designs his cycling clothing, the first step in cycling has been taken.
In 1935 a young Armando Castelli starts in the sewing workshop of Vittore, his ambition and passion quickly ensure that the sewing workshop grows into a small company. 4 years later, Armando takes over the sewing workshop. He retains Vittore's elite clientele but expands this in 1945 with the top cyclists Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi.
In 1948 Armando's son Maurizio is born. At a young age, Armando takes Maurizio with him to see the races of il campionissimo Fausto Coppi, who has since the start become Armando's most loyal customer. For a time trial in the Giro d'Italia, Coppi wears a silk suit designed by Castelli and the first time trial suit in the history of cycling.
Maurizio Castelli as a little boy with il campionissimo Fausto Coppi
More and more professional cyclists choose the clothing of the Vittore Gianna brand and in 1953 Louison Bobet, Raphael Geminiani, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil are added. In the following years, 12 cycling teams will follow.
In the meanwhile Maurizio has been passioned by cycling and tries a career as a cyclist, where he also discovers the conveniences and inconveniences of cycling clothing. After a hip fracture in the junior category, he quits and devotes himself fully to his father's business.
Founding of Castelli brand by Maurizio
The cooperation between Maurizio and his father Armando is starting to run less smoothly. Maurizio blames his father for being too conservative and not innovative enough. As a result, in 1974 Maurizio acquires the brand name Castelli and he designs the first logo himself. The Castelli brand with the scorpion in the logo is born.
The logo of the newly founded Castelli
Maurizio immediately showed his desire to revolutionize the world of cycling clothing and in 1977 Castelli introduced the first aerodynamic cycling shorts in Lycra that are used in competitions and also sold to the general public. Lycra was already used in the ski world before that.
Maurizio Castelli's philosophy is “I would never have been able to revolutionize cycling clothing if I had not been a cyclist. There I got to know matter in all its forms ”.
1977: the first cycling shorts in Lycra
In 1979, Castelli's efforts were rewarded with the prestigious Discobolo Award from the sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport, which praised Castelli for revolutionizing the way cyclists dress.
The first time colored cycling shorts in the professional environment
In 1981, Castelli surprises everyone at a stage of the Giro d'Italia when the riders of Team Hoonved Bottecchia appear at the start in colored cycling shorts. The organization does not know whether or not to disqualify the team because until then only black pants were allowed.
first colored cycling shorts ever at the Giro d'Italia 1981
This not only results in a huge advertising stunt, but is also the end of only black cycling shorts in the cycling world. From then on, the cycling jerseys and shorts will be given all kinds of color combinations.
In 1983, Castelli once again showed his innovative ideas by being the first to directly sponsor and print graphic design on the cycling jerseys. Bernard Hinault wears the first windproof jersey during the Flèche Wallonne, which he also wins.
Francesco Moser wears the first thermal cycling clothing designed by Castelli during Paris Roubaix in 1984.
1989 saw an important step for Castelli when they become the official supplier of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. In addition, they also supply the cycling clothing of 10 Pro Team cycling teams.
Death of Maurizio Castelli
In 1995, the Castelli company was hit hard when founder Maurizio Castelli died of a heart attack while climbing the Cipressa, the decisive climb in the Milan San Remo cycling race.
Even after Maurizio's death, the company's keyword remains “innovation”. In 1996, the Italian cycling team took gold in the track chase at the Atlanta Olympics with an aerodynamic suit from Castelli. Paola Pezzi, who takes gold in the mountain biking discipline, also carries Castelli.
Paola Pezzi wins the gold medal in the mountain bike discipline at the Olympic Games in Atlanta in a Castelli outfit
In 1997 the project Y was created, a new more ergonomic cycling shorts that gives more comfort to the cyclist. The following year, Abraham Olano's Spanish Team Once wears the first cycling jersey with a perspiring treatment
In 2007, Castelli revolutionized the cycling apparel of the Pro Team Saunier Duval with the first Aero Race Jersey, the first Aero cycling shorts and the lightest cycling jersey ever designed in the world of cycling.
The Giro elastic band is introduced when the competitors on the cuff of the cycling shorts use a clumsy, narrow elastic band. Cycling shorts have changed completely in just 4 years.
For the winter temperatures, Castelli markets clothing with the system of insulation by radiation (Radiation) and in 2009 they innovate yet again by making them from 1 piece without seams.
Castelli cycling clothing with Radiation system
Castelli and nanotechnology
Castelli is the first brand to introduce nanotechnology into cycling in 2010. With NanoFlex a water-repellent but breathable textile is brought to the market. The Cervelo Test Team is successfully testing the Gabba cycling jacket, the first aerodynamic protection against the rain with which they finally put an end to the bulky plastic jackets.
In 2011 Johan Van Summeren wins Paris Roubaix with the first cycling suit called Sanremo Speed Suit, which is specially designed for road races.
Ryder Hesjedal wins the Giro d'Italia 2012 with just 16 seconds ahead thanks to the time trial suit Body Paint 3.0 Speed Suit.
The Milan Sanremo 2013 cycling race brings the Gabba cycling jacket to the fore. The bad weather conditions: snow, rain and wind ensure that half of the peloton drives around with it, which also makes the general public used to this revolutionary rain jacket.
Ag2R and FDJ riders were just a few who became handy with a texter.
In the meantime, Castelli continues to focus on innovation and design: the Gabba is now in its 4th generation and clothing has also been added for the increasingly popular gravel bikes, feather-light cycling jerseys for those who want to challenge the mountains in the summer, ...
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