Castelli Cycling

What Castelli Cycling does

Castelli Cycling is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer founded in 1876, currently operating as a brand of Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A. within the MVC Group (which also owns Sportful and Karpos). The company designs and produces performance cycling and triathlon apparel — including jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, skinsuits, base layers, and accessories — for professional racers, serious amateurs, and triathletes. Its product portfolio is organized around signature sub-brand collections such as Gabba/Perfetto (weather-resistant jackets), Espresso, Aero Race, Unlimited/Gravel, and the recently launched Polartec AirCore PFAS-free line, with flagship products priced around $320 USD.

The business is differentiated by proprietary textile and design innovations — first aero Lycra shorts (1977), first sublimation-printed jerseys (1983), and windproof fabric technology validated through an 8-year partnership with the Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team, the longest-running pro team relationship in its history. Manufacturing and R&D are centered at the company's headquarters in Fonzaso, Italy, with additional operations including a US distribution warehouse in Portland, OR, and flagship retail stores in Girona, Spain, and Berlin, Germany.

Castelli operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce across 30+ country-specific storefronts, a global network of authorized retailers, a Custom Team Program for cycling clubs, and a subscription-style Industry Program for cycling professionals. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time apparel purchases, supplemented by licensed collections (Giro d'Italia, AC Milan, Soudal Quick-Step) and event/team-driven brand development. The company employs 250+ people across 7 countries and is privately held with no public listing or disclosed funding history.

Name

Castelli Cycling

Legal name

Manifattura Valcismon S.p.A.

Website

https://castelli-cycling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1876

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Castelli Cycling is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer founded in 1876, producing performance jerseys, bibs, jackets, and triathlon gear for professional and serious amateur cyclists, distributed globally through DTC e-commerce, flagship stores, and authorized retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Cycling Apparel

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992), Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (except Contractors) (315250)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949), Wholesale-Apparel, Piece Goods & Notions (5130)

akta.pro primary industry

Bike Apparel, Helmets & Protective Gear Retail (CRAMAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cycling & Micromobility Products Distribution (CRAOAJAF)

Keywords

• Cycling apparel
• Triathlon clothing
• Performance jerseys
• Custom team kits
• Weather-resistant jackets

Headquarters

HQ city

Fonzaso

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Direct Consumer E-commerce: Castelli sells directly to consumers through its e-commerce platform castelli-cycling.com with multiple country-specific storefronts. Products include jerseys, bibs, jackets, accessories, and triathlon apparel. Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases with various pricing tiers.
2. Custom Team Apparel: Castelli's custom program produces team-specific cycling and triathlon apparel for professional and amateur cycling teams, including the Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team. Joint product development through wind tunnel and real-world testing.
3. Industry Program Sales: Exclusive discounted pricing for cycling industry professionals, outdoor industry employees, certified instructors, and journalists, with annual purchase caps per region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Castelli Cycling is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer that designs, produces, and sells performance cycling and triathlon clothing — including jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, speed suits, and accessories — through its own e-commerce storefront, flagship retail stores, authorized dealers, and a custom team apparel program. The brand serves both individual competitive and recreational cyclists and professional/amateur cycling teams, leveraging proprietary fabric technologies such as Polartec AirCore and aerodynamic constructions developed in collaboration with pro teams.

Product overview

Castelli Cycling is an Italian premium cycling apparel manufacturer offering a comprehensive product portfolio spanning men's and women's cycling clothing, triathlon gear, and accessories. The core offering includes performance jerseys, bib shorts, jackets, base layers, and protection gear organized under signature sub-brands such as Gabba/Perfetto (weather-resistant jackets), Espresso (everyday performance), Aero Race (aerodynamic racing), and Unlimited/Gravel (off-road). The company provides a full custom team apparel program allowing personalized designs for cycling teams. Castelli maintains a long-standing partnership with the Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team and holds official licensing for the Giro d'Italia. Recent innovations include the Perfetto RoS 3 jacket featuring Polartec's PFAS-free AirCore waterproof technology. The company operates physical flagship stores in Girona, Spain and Berlin, Germany, and is part of the MVC Group parent company alongside Sportful and Karpos brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cycling Apparel (Men's) Full range of men's performance cycling clothing including jerseys, bibs and shorts, vests, speed suits, base layers, protection, jackets, bibtights and knickers, and off-bike casual wear for road, gravel, and all-weather riding.
• Cycling Apparel (Women's) Complete women's cycling clothing collection featuring jerseys, bibs and shorts, vests, base layers, speed suits, protection, jackets, bibtights and knickers, and off-bike casual options, designed for performance road and gravel riding.
• Triathlon Collection
• Cycling Accessories Technical cycling accessories including gloves, socks, warmers, shoe covers, headwear, bags and backpacks, and essential ride accessories that complement Castelli's apparel lines.
• Perfetto RoS 3 Jacket Premium breathability-focused cycling jacket featuring Polartec AirCore fabric, windproof and highly water-resistant construction for cool-to-cold conditions with mixed wet weather; priced at $320 USD.
• Custom Cycling Clothing Full custom team apparel program allowing professional and amateur cycling teams and individuals to design personalized cycling kits with custom graphics, team colors, and team-store functionality, delivering the same quality apparel used by pro teams.
• Lifestyle / Off-Bike Casual Casual off-bike apparel for travel, post-race, or everyday activities, combining lifestyle styling with technical fabric heritage from the cycling line.
• Crash Replacement Program Free crash replacement within 30 days of purchase for brand-new kit damaged in a crash, with a 40% discount offered for items purchased within the prior two years that fall outside the 30-day window.
• Industry Program Exclusive discount program for cycling and outdoor industry employees, certified instructors, and outdoor/cycling journalists, with annual purchase caps per region (e.g., 1500 EUR / 1500 USD / 2500 AUD).

Quantifiable outcome

• Castelli holds 30% premium cycling apparel market share alongside Assos and Rapha in the premium segment
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling TeamflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 April 2026Extended three-year partnership marking eight years of total collaboration, making this Castelli's longest-running partnership with a professional cycling team. Includes joint product development through wind tunnel and real-world testing, plus safety initiatives with distinctive electric green visibility elements on 2026 race kits for both men's and women's teams.
• AC MilancoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 June 2025Premium cycling apparel collection marking AC Milan's first-ever official cycling line. Built on Castelli's Competizione platform including jerseys, premium bib shorts, gloves, socks, and neck warmer, plus special edition jersey commemorating AC Milan's 125th anniversary. Draws on shared Milanese heritage.
• PolarteccoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for Polartec AirCore fabric technology in Castelli's Perfetto RoS 3 jacket. Represents industry-leading PFAS-free waterproof-breathable fabric technology adapted for cycling apparel.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rapha: Rapha is the most direct competitor to Castelli: a UK-founded, premium DTC cycling apparel brand with strong subscription/club model and overlapping customer base of performance cyclists. Both brands share the top tier of the premium segment alongside Assos.
• Assos: Swiss premium cycling apparel manufacturer sharing the 30% premium segment with Castelli. Closely comparable on price point, technical positioning, and pro-team sponsorship model.
• Sportful: Sister brand within MVC Group (Castelli's parent). Produces performance cycling and Nordic apparel with shared manufacturing scale, overlapping product assortment, and common pro-team heritage.
• Santini Cycling Wear: Italian cycling apparel manufacturer with similar heritage, made-in-Italy positioning, custom team kit programs, and comparable mid-to-premium price bands. Direct Italian competitor.
• Alé Cycling Wear: Italian cycling apparel manufacturer with overlapping custom team kit and consumer product lines; competes most directly in the Italian/European mid-to-premium segment.

Broad incumbents

• POC Sports: Swedish premium cycling safety/helmet/protection brand that has expanded into apparel; a broader incumbent in cycling performance gear whose apparel line encroaches on Castelli's premium territory.
• Pearl Izumi: Larger, broader-line cycling apparel manufacturer with mass-to-premium range; competes in the same end-use category but Castelli sits at the top of its range, while Pearl Izumi stretches deeper into mid-tier.

Emerging players

• MAAP: Australian premium cycling apparel brand targeting the same premium-cyclist demographic with strong DTC and lifestyle positioning; a credible challenger brand riding the same customer overlap.
• Q36.5: Italian premium cycling apparel brand with strong technical identity and made-in-Italy positioning; a niche competitor in the same premium-tier overlapping Castelli's core geography.
• Pas Normal Studios: Danish premium cycling apparel brand with DTC-led growth and Scandinavian design language; competes for the same performance-and-aesthetic-driven premium cyclist.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/castellicycling
• Facebookfacebook.com/castellicycling
• Instagraminstagram.com/castellicycling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/castelli-cycling

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Castelli Cycling