RCS CONTRACT EXTENSION - Castelli Cycling

As the Giro d'Italia reaches its second rest day, the riders catch their breath and prepare for the third and last week of the Corsa Rosa; all eyes are on Geraint Thomas, and his closets rivals, Primož Roglič, and João Almeida; the stage is set for a captivating battle.

With a formidable lead of 1 minute and 8 seconds over Geraint Thomas, Bruno Armirail, first French cyclist to wear the maglia rosa since Laurent Jalabert in 1999, can enjoy his third day in pink as the Corsa Rosa on Tuesday travels east from Lake Garda through the Dolomites and toward the Slovenian border.

With three huge mountain stages and a leg-snapper mountain time-trial on Saturday before crowning the 2023 Giro d’Italia winner in Rome, the race is heating up, the anticipation builds, and the cycling world eagerly awaits the breathtaking showdown that lies ahead.

While the riders were out on a small and low-intensity ride, the RCS MediaGroup and Castelli executives gathered at the La Gazzetta dello Sport headquarter in Milan to announce the signing of a significant four-year partnership contract extension (2023-2026) for the Giro d'Italia, Il Lombardia and Gran Piemonte events. It was a momentous day, a day that would mark the continuation of a partnership deeply rooted in history and passion.

RCS MediaGroup President, Urbano Cairo, highlighted Castelli's long-standing contribution to the Giro d'Italia, emphasizing its reputation as a global brand known for its innovative mindset and the famous scorpion logo. It's a partnership built on a shared love for the sport, and to promote and enhance Italian excellence abroad.

For nearly two decades, Castelli has been the proud provider of the leaders' jerseys in the Giro d'Italia. Back in the 1980s and early 1990s, numerous champions adorned themselves with Castelli-made jerseys, leaving their mark on cycling history. Among them was Miguel Indurain, who triumphed in Milan in 1992 wearing the iconic Castelli Maglia Rosa.

In recent years, Castelli has continued to dress the champions of the Corsa Rosa, with an impressive streak of six consecutive years from 2018 to 2023. During this period, riders such as Chris Froome, Tao Geoghegan Hart, and Egan Bernal claimed victory in their Castelli-equipped team kit, etching their names into the Giro d'Italia Trofeo senza fine trophy.

CEO of Manifattura Valcismon, Alessio Cremonese, expressed his pride in seeing the Scorpion logo adorning the Giro d'Italia routes. As an Italian company, collaborating with RCS Sport in the "toughest race in the world's most beautiful place" fills us with joy. It's not just about showcasing our brand and innovative products but also the passion for sport, and pushing the boundaries of performance-enhancing cycling clothing. Castelli has always been determined to shape the future of cycling through the continuous pursuit of innovation and Italian excellence.

When it comes to the category leaders in the Giro d'Italia, the Castelli RossoCorsa line of products steps in to enhance the rider's performance with a broader range of race clothing arsenal, like the Aero Race 6.1 Jersey, road, and TT aero speed suits. The riders will gain from the aerodynamic and lightweight advantage, allowing them to go further and faster in greater comfort. From individual time trials to sprints and challenging mountain stages, we’ll equip the leaders with our top-of-the-line and most performance-enhancing products.

And let's not forget the unpredictable mountain stages that can throw harsh weather conditions at the riders. Castelli will have them covered with the renowned Gabba and Perfetto foul-weather products. Rain, snow, or wind, these reliable gears shield the riders, ensuring their comfort and focus remain undeterred.

Castelli's commitment to sustainability is also commendable. The leaders’ jerseys are made using Sitip fabric obtained from high-performing recycled yarns, certified by the Global Recycled Standard. By prioritizing eco-friendly materials, the Giro d’Italia and Castelli showcase their dedication to both performance and the environment.

Lastly, if you are not aware, there are four Giro d'Italia leaders' jerseys, each represented by a distinct color. Of course, we have the iconic pink (maglia rosa) for the overall race leader. Additionally, there's the reddish (maglia ciclamino) for the sprint leader, the blue (maglia azzurra) for the king of the mountains, and the white (maglia bianca) for the best young rider.