Our history

INNOVATION, PASSION AND HISTORICAL FIRSTS

Castelli's history is made up of innovation, passion and historical firsts.
Let's relive its key moments together.

1876 - VITTORE GIANNI

Castelli traces its roots back to a fine tailor (Vittore Gianni) in the heart of Milan, founded in 1876.
Through the years, Vittore Gianni clothed AC Milan, Juventus, and the Milan Ballet.

1910 - ALFREDO BINDA

The first cycling clothing was made in the 1910s for the world champion and five-time Giro champion Alfredo Binda.

1935 - ARMANDO CASTELLI

The business changed course in 1935 when a young Armando Castelli joined Gianni’s staff and in 1939 purchased the company.

1945 - HIGH‑PROFILE CLIENTS

Castelli maintained Vittore Gianni’s high‑profile clients, which by the late 1940s included the cycling heroes
Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi.

1948 - MAURIZIO CASTELLI

Armando’s son, Maurizio was born. He grew up following the races of Fausto Coppi who always wore Vittore Gianni clothing, including the first silk skin suits designed for Fausto’s time trials.

1953 - THE PROFESSIONALS

And it didn’t stop there, Louison Bobet, Raphael Gimignani, Rik Van Looy and Jacques Anquetil wore the Vittore Gianni apparel, including up to 12 pro teams were clothed by Vittore Gianni in these years.

1974 - THE SCORPION

An early version of the Castelli scorpion logo fashioned by Maurizio for his newly formed brand.

1977 - FIRST LYCRA SHORTS

Castelli innovates again when introducing the first aerodynamic Lycra® shorts used in racing and sold to the public.

1979 - REVOLUTION

Castelli was crowned with the prestigious Corriere dello Sport Discobolo award.
“Castelli has in a truly futuristic way, revolutionize clothing for cyclists”.

1981 - FIRST COLORED SHORTS

At the 1981 Giro, Maurizio outfitted a handful of riders with the first colored Lycra® shorts – at a time when only black shorts were allowed.

1983 - FIRST SUBLIMATION PRINT AND WINDPROOF JERSEY

Castelli pioneered the sublimation dye process with the first sublimation printing of jerseys which allowed graphics such sponsor’s names to be printed directly on fabric.
Bernard Hinault wore the first windproof jersey to win the Fleche Wallonne classic.

1984 - FIRST THERMAL CLOTHING

Francesco Moser wearing the first functional thermal clothing at Paris-Roubaix.

1989 - OFFICIAL SUPPLIER

In the late 80’s and early 90’s Castelli supplied the leader jerseys at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France as well as a dozen of pro teams.

1995 - A SAD MOMENT

Maurizio’s life was cut short at age 47 when he died of a heart attack riding up the Cipressa hill, the legendary ascent on the Milan-San Remo course.

1996 - FIRST WOMAN COLLECTION

Maurizio’s vision to create the most innovative clothing continued being the driving force of the company. In 1996, the first fully aerodynamic skinsuit was introduced for the Atlanta Olympics.
Castelli equipped the Italian national cycling team, and Paola Pezzo when she won the olympic gold medal in mountain biking. The same year, Castelli introduced the first women's cycling collection.

1998 - WICKING FABRIC TREATMENT AND Y-CUT PAD

The Castelli equipped, Team Once with Abraham Olano wore the first jersey with wicking fabric treatment (Prosecco).
The same year, Castelli innovates the first modern anatomic seatpad, the Y-cut seatpad.

2007 - REVOLUTIONIZING RACE CLOTHING

Castelli revolutionizes Team Saunier Duval's clothing with the first Aero Race Jersey, the first Aero Bibshort and the lightest jersey ever produced in professional cycling to date.
The Giro elastic band was introduced when others used an uncomfortable, tight and thin elastic at the edge of their shorts. In just 4 years the cycling shorts are completely changed.

2008 - RADIATION

The ‘Radiation’ insulation system is introduced offering performance cyclists a new way of dressing for cold winter days. (Radiation)

2009 - REINVENTING THE BIBSHORT

Castelli reinvents the bib short with Body Paint, a single piece of fabric with most of the components integrated into the seamless fabric.

2010 - COLD AND WET

The Gabba WS jersey, the first all-weather aerodynamic jersey, is used by the Cervelo-TestTeam (above) and immediately sets the standard for protection against cold and wet conditions for racers and club cyclists alike. The Nano-Flex water repellent fabrics shed water but are still breathable offering function as well as an aero fit.

2011 - SANREMO SPEED SUIT

The Sanremo Speed Suit, the first ever skinsuit made for road racing, is used by Johan Van Summeren to win Paris-Roubaix (above).

2012 - BODY PAINT 3.0 SPEED SUIT

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal uses the Body Paint 3.0 speed suit, the most engineered time-trial suit ever made by Castelli, to win the Giro d’Italia by a scant 16 seconds overall.

2013 - BRAND PHILOSOPHY

“ I would never have been able to revolutionize cyclist clothing if I hadn't competed on a bicycle. This is the only way to get to know the matter in depth. ”

Maurizio Castelli