Castelli is targeting the triathlon sector with renewed vigour, with the creation of a distinct triathlon division and the signing of multi-sport teams and athletes.
The new division will accelerate efforts that are already underway with Castelli’s Body Paint tri collection and the all-new tri-specific Free line.
Patrick Cassiday is heading up the department as global triathlon manager, joining the firm after a 16 year stint at Nike in R&D and product development for Nike. He is also a competitive triathlete who has raced at every distance in a career that includes seven Kona participations.
Castelli global brand manager Steve Smith said: “We’re truly excited to be adding Patrick to our team. We’ve been hearing from a lot of triathletes who love our cycling products and have begged us to bring our technology to triathlon. With his years of experience in both competition and product creation, Pat is the guy to help us innovate for that market.”
Cassiday added: "I'm extremely honored and excited to become a part of the Castelli team, and specifically to head up a division around a sport I'm passionate about. As Castelli is already synonymous with the highest-performance cycling apparel for many elite cyclists, it's only natural for us to evolve into triathlon and provide a comparable level of product for athletes in this rapidly growing sport.”
Cassiday will divide his time between Castelli’s offices in Italy and Portland.
Pictured: Castelli triathlete Alessandro Fabian winning the 2012 Garmin Trio Sirmione Triathlon