CASTELLI Cycling Podcast

• STEVE SMITH | Giro d'Italia Leaders Aero Gear. Most Effective Marginal Gains, and Wind Tunnel Testing

  Join us as we dive into the cutting-edge world of aerodynamic cycling apparel with Steve Smith, Castelli Brand Manager, Lifelong Marginal Gainer. From the evolution of the iconic maglia rosa for the Giro d’Italia to the latest innovative firsts, Steve shares how rider feedback, wind tunnel testing, and meticulous design come together to create high-performance gear.We explore the behind-the-scenes logistics of outfitting pro teams, the development process inside Castelli’s Speed Shop and Pro Shop, and how amateur cyclists can benefit from the same technology. Tune in for a look at where aero clothing is headed—and Castelli’s role in shaping its future.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro04:40 Amount of Clothing Supplied to Giro Race Leaders12:24 Sanremo 8S Speed Suit14:03 Tailoring Suits for Performance and Fit16:25 Optimized Gear for Specific Rider Positioning19:53 Low-Hanging Fruit for Maximum Performance23:30 Free Aero S Bibshorts28:08 Free Aero Prototype Testing31:54 PoliMI Wind Tunnel – Politecnico di Milano33:55 Custom Program, Speed Shop, and Pro Shop36:42 Aero Race 8S Jersey: Design and Functionality41:42 Aero Gains: Performance Comparisons47:08 Future Frontiers in Aero Clothing53:13 Giro d'Italia, Stage 15, Passing by Castelli HQ55:09 WIN a Singed Maglia Rosa! 55:41 Ending LINKSCastelli Speed Shophttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/Speed-Shop/c/Speed-ShopCastelli Pro Shophttps://www.castelli-cycling.com/PRO-SHOP/c/Pro-Shop– GUEST –Meet Steve Smith: Castelli’s Brand Manager & Lifelong Marginal Gainer! From racing bikes in Portland to leading innovation at Castelli, Steve Smith brings a deep passion for performance. In this episode, he shares insights on wind tunnel testing and the game-changing gear behind the Giro d’Italia leaders. Dive into the tech, the strategy, and the gear that keeps the pros ahead.CONNECThttps://www.instagram.com/smittystuff/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• GIRO D’ITALIA | Castelli Innovations, Giro Legends, and the Maglia Rosa

  Dive into the thrilling history of the Giro d’Italia and its most iconic symbol—the Maglia Rosa. From its origins in 1909 to the groundbreaking innovations Castelli introduced to the peloton, we celebrate the legends, the legacy, and the evolution of cycling’s most coveted jersey.Discover how the race began, why pink became the color of victory, and how Castelli helped revolutionize performance cycling gear through bold innovation. From historic champions and unforgettable moments to the evolution of aerodynamic apparel, this episode traces the legacy of the icons who shaped the sport.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:10 The Origins of the Giro d’Italia03:33 The Early Winners04:15 The Maglia Rosa Is Born06:31 Giro d’Italia: A Proving Ground06:58 Top GC Winners and Most Victories07:54 La Maglia Rosa09:37 Castelli’s Innovative Firsts11:54 The Legacy of Castelli in the Giro d’Italia16:34 Ending– LINKS –https://www.castelli-cycling.comhttps://www.instagram.com/castellicycling– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/Music | Slipstream Music, RCS Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• SAMUEL SÁNCHEZ | Aero Gear, Olympic Gold, Gravel Racing, Next Gen, Life Lessons on Two Wheels

  In this episode, we sit down with Samuel Sánchez, a legend of the sport and Olympic gold medalist, to reflect on his remarkable career and the evolution of the sport over the past three decades. Samuel takes us through his journey from a young aspiring cyclist to Olympic champion, sharing insights into the highs and lows of his career. He talks about his 18 years in the pro peloton, racing for just two teams, the differences in team dynamics from Euskaltel - Euskadi to BMC Racing Team, and the immense impact of winning an Olympic gold medal.We also dive deep into the history and innovation behind some of Castelli’s pioneering products, exploring iconic items like the Sanremo Speed Suit, the Gabba R jacket, and the first Aero Race Jersey—each a game-changer in cycling gear. Samuel offers his perspective on the evolution of cycling apparel and the technical advancements that have revolutionized the sport, particularly in aerodynamics.Samuel shares the mission and passion behind his Cycling Academy, which focuses on developing young talent while balancing education and sport. We also explore the competitive landscape of cycling today, the rise of gravel racing, and how resilience and instinct are just as important as data and numbers in the world of racing.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the values of cycling, the importance of youth development, and how the lessons learned on the bike can be applied to all aspects of life.This is an episode you don’t want to miss!CHAPTERS00:00 Intro 03:39 Rapid Round of Questions05:44 Gabba R09:05 Aero Jersey10:51 Sanremo Speed Suit 15:04 Aero Shoe-Covers 15:56 Body Paint 4.0 TT Suit16:41 First Castelli Memory18:26 Castelli History20:15 Transitioning to BMC25:05 Olympic Gold 30:35 Building the Future. Cycling Academy39:42 Gravel Racing, Sea Otter50:51 Young Superstars of the Sport58:23 Samuel's Journey into Cycling 01:04:27 Ending– GUEST –Samuel Sánchez, Spanish 2008 Olympic gold medalist and former pro cyclist known for his climbing prowess and tactical racing. A Tour de France and Vuelta a España podium finisher.CONNECT⁠https://www.instagram.com/soysamusanchez/⁠– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• YVES LAMPAERT | Paris-Roubaix, the Yellow Jersey, Farming vs Cycling Parallels

  Yves Lampaert is more than just a Roubaix warrior—he’s a farmer’s son with deep Belgian roots, a love for tractors, and a passion for the Queen of the Classics. In this episode, we go beyond the finish line to explore the brutal beauty of Paris-Roubaix, Yves’ rise through the ranks at Soudal Quick-Step, and the surprising parallels between farming and cycling. From Tour de France yellow jersey glory to muddy cobbles and homegrown veggies—this is Yves Lampaert like you’ve never heard him before.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro01:27 Yves Lampaert: A Cyclist's Journey02:52 The Evolution of Cycling03:49 The Pressure of Being a Belgian Cyclist10:33 The Support of Fans and Community12:30 Foul Weather Gear: Essential for Cyclists15:26 Career Progression in QuickStep Team18:53 Balancing Team Roles in Cycling19:44 The Impact of Crashes on Performance22:41 Racing Roubaix in Wet vs. Dry24:03 Favorite Cobble Sector and Velodrome Experience26:55 Being Part of the Wolfpack27:56 Memorable Wins and Achievements34:55 Farming and Cycling: Parallels in Life39:46 The Importance of Family and Tradition42:40 Nutrition and Training in Modern Cycling45:52 Advice for Young Cyclists50:15 Cultural Insights: Flemish Language and Cycling– GUEST –Yves Lampaert is a professional Belgian cyclist known for his strength in the classics and time trials. Born on April 10, 1991, in Izegem, Belgium, he rides for the UCI WorldTeam Soudal Quick-Step. Lampaert has made a name for himself with his gritty performances in cobbled races like Paris-Roubaix and has been a consistent national time trial champion. One of his career highlights came in the 2022 Tour de France when he surprised the field by winning the opening time trial in Copenhagen, claiming the coveted yellow jersey. A former judo practitioner, Lampaert brings a tactical and tenacious approach to the road.CONNECThttps://www.instagram.com/yveslampaert/https://www.instagram.com/soudalquickstepteam/– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• KIM (LE COURT) PIENAAR | Chasing Dreams on Cycling’s Toughest Roads

  This week, we bring you an inspiring story of resilience, talent, and the relentless pursuit of a dream. Our guest, Kim Le Court Pienaar, is a rising star in the Women’s World Tour, proving that it’s never too late to chase greatness.When Kim turned pro, many riders have already made their mark—Kim wasted no time in doing the same. In her debut season, she secured a stage win at the Giro d’Italia Women, raced in two Grand Tours, and represented her country at the Paris Olympics.In this episode, we dive into Kim's remarkable journey—from mountain biking in Mauritius to competing on Europe’s most unforgiving roads. Kim shares her firsthand experience of the Tour of Flanders, the energy of De Ronde, and what it’s really like to race the Monuments.Let’s dive in!CHAPTERS00:00 Intro03:15 2024 Overcoming Injuries and Challenges07:14 First season in WT12:15 Transitioning from Mountain Biking to Road Racing17:49 Race Goals19:49 First Experience in the Classics and Learning Curve27:55 Memorial Tattoo33:15 2024 Olympics, National Pride38:18 Riding in Mauritius44:21 Other Sports45:22 Big Brother, Inspiration48:10 Top-3 Mauritian Food50:41 Ending– GUEST –Kimberley (Le Court) Pienaar is a Mauritian cyclist riding for AG Insurance-Soudal. Born in 1996, Kim has won most of the top ultra MTB events she has competed in and has placed in the top 10 in most UCI events, showcasing her versatility across disciplines. She is known for her strong climbing ability and endurance.CONNECTwww.instagram.com/kimlecourtwww.instagram.com/aginsurancesoudal– HOST –Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso.CONNECT ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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