CASTELLI
With a history dating back to 1876 and a peerless reputation for innovation, style and performance, Castelli is undoubtedly the most prestigious cycling clothier in the world.
Decades of pro cycling development and a passion for perfection in materials, cut and performance has seen the brand reinvent cycle wear time after time. From the first Lycra shorts to sublimated printing, the game-changing Gabba and aerodynamic apparel, Castelli continues to set a path that others can only follow while cherishing generations of Italian heritage.
KEY CATEGORIES
Castelli's long history of industry-leading garments has ensured the brand remains the preeminent name in cycle clothing, combining Italian flair and style with cutting edge, pro-tested design and materials.
Castelli joined Saddleback in 2006 and the brand has since gone from strength to strength in the UK, with senior brand manager Richard Mardle working closely with Castelli HQ to develop a flow of industry-leading products perfect for UK riding conditions.
SIZE AND CARE GUIDES
CASTELLI X GIRO D'ITALIA
Once again Castelli, one of cycling’s most prestigious brands, is providing the leaders’ jerseys for Italy’s famously unpredictable Grand Tour. Each has been designed not only for optimum aerodynamics, but to be light, breathable and a joy to wear during a day of full-on cycling.
In addition to the scorpion adorning the highest placed rider in the general classification, sprint, mountains and best young rider competitions, there's also a homage to the black jersey – awarded to the last rider in the race between 1946 and 1951 – and stage-specific limited-edition designs.
Photo credits: @jeredgruber
SERVIZIO CORSE – CASTELLI CUSTOM
Castelli makes the finest cycling apparel in the world – so why would you want anything else for your club or team?
The Servizio Corse programme is a full end-to-end service, in which you'll be guided by Saddleback through the design, ordering and delivery process to bring your kit ideas into reality.
You can pick from a variety of styles from Pro Issue (used by the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl team) and Team Issue (a more relaxed fit) to triathlon, protection and accessories – ensuring you get the pro look on every ride.
CASTELLI HISTORY AND HERITAGE
Castelli has been inextricably linked to professional cycling since 1935 when one Armando Castelli became part of Vittore Gianni’s small tailoring shop in Milan.
Buying the shop four years later, Castelli began making bespoke cycling garments, catering for some of the sport’s most legendary names over the years including Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Louison Bobet, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil.
Armando’s son, Maurizio, grew up in the cycling world and was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1974, Maurizio founded the Castelli brand and established the now iconic scorpion logo.
Castelli’s relationship with professional cycling only grew stronger as the company supplied riders such as Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Francesco Moser with the latest innovations in the world of cycling wear.
As other brands scrambled to keep up, Castelli outfitted its riders with the first aerodynamic Lycra shorts in 1977, created the first windproof jersey in 1983, and ushered in sublimated printing the same year to change the look of the peloton forever.
Functional thermal clothing followed in 1984 and by 1989 much of the peloton was wearing Castelli. The brand has also supplied leaders' jerseys for the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia over the years.
Since the late 1980s, the innovations have continued to flow. Castelli created the first women’s cycling collection; the first Y-shaped anatomic chamois; the first fabric wicking treatments; the first aero-cut pro wear; the now famous all-weather Gabba; and the Sanremo – the first speed suit designed for road racing. The list of firsts has only continued to grow since then, highlighting the brand's industry leading credentials.
Castelli’s triathlon collection has also proven to be incredibly popular. Utilising the same obsessive attention to detail applied to road cycling and employing both practical and performance-enhancing designs, the range, which launched in 2012, has since courted both male and female victories at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
In recent years, Castelli has continued to innovate thanks to its symbiotic relationship with the many pro cycling teams it has sponsored, including most recently the awesome Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. The pros road-test Castelli’s products in the Grand Tours, the toughest cycling arena in the world, allowing the brand to make them progressively better.
This quest for excellence is why there’s always fierce competition to sport Castelli’s famous scorpion logo for the season, as the pros trust Castelli to give them an unfair advantage.