Cycling Product News: January 14th, 2015

In today’s cycling product news roundup: COBI blows away Kickstarter goal, Vittoria does neutral support for LdtL, Gaerne supports Unieuro Wilier, Tinkoff-Saxo dons Oakley and Phillipe Gilbert puts Fizik on his feet.

COBI Smart Bike System quadruples Kickstarter goal

The COBI Connected Biking System made its public launch just a month ago via a Kickstarter campaign. Today, they announced the successful completion of that round, having raised over $400,000 in less than a month.

Over 1900 backers from 18 countries pledged support for the product, and the campaign also caught attention of the OEM market, generating over 55 industry enquiries and 12 investor requests.

The COBI system plans to ship by Summer 2015.

Vittoria to provide neutral support for Le Tour de Langkawi

Italian tire manufacturer Vittoria has renewed their contract to provide neutral race service for Le Tour de Langkawi. Vittoria also provides neutral support for the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Dubai.

Vittoria’s Asia Pacific chief Willem Campagne expressed support for LtdL’s professionalism and organization.

“When we say Le Tour de Langkawi is a global event, we mean that at every level. We are proud to communicate our sponsorship and neutral race support participation of the Tour de Langkawi, next to the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de Dubai and many more like that.”

In addition to providing race support, Vittoria will also deploy their Servizio Corse digital platform during the race, giving fans the chance to send pictures to screens that are posted around the race course.

Gaerne supports Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani Team

Gaerne will provide their G-STILO shoes to the Unieuro Wilier Trevigiani for the 2015 season.

Gaerne’s top model, the G-STILO strikes the perfect balance between comfort and lightness with a laser perforated microfiber upper that provides excellent breathability. Its Diagonal Closure System uses two BOA dials in conjunction with a velcro strap for additional adjustability and to reduce pressure points on the instep.

Oakley partners with Tinkoff-Saxo

Tinkoff-Saxo adds yet another high caliber sponsorship, announcing today that they will wear Oakley sunglasses in 2015.

Tinkoff-Saxo chose Oakley for their comfort, durability, performance and good looks.

“In a sport, where strong and passionate sponsors are vital, Oakley is without doubt a very valuable partner. They not only produce top brand products especially made for cycling, they’ve also showed their commitment to this sport for many years,” said Tinkoff-Saxo CEO Stefano Feltrin.

Oakley sees the new partnership as an opportunity to support one of the top cycling teams in the World Tour, says Cuan Petersen, Global Director of Sports Marketing at Oakley: “At Oakley, our goal is to provide the world’s leading cyclists with the most innovative and performance driven eyewear on the market.  With some of the most globally recognized cyclists in the peloton, it is a pleasure to team up with Tinkoff-Saxo for the 2015 season. ”

Philippe Gilbert to ride in Fizik R3B shoes

BMC Racing Team rider and former World Champion, Philippe Gilbert has entered into a two-year deal with the Italian saddle and shoe manufacturer fi’zi:k.

“I have really enjoyed working with fi’zi:k over the last years. Together we developed the Volta saddle, a really innovative product that has, of course, become my favorite seat ever – so when they showed me the new R3B shoes I decided to give them a try,” said Gilbert.

 

‘We respect Philippe massively, as a champion and a racer,’ says fi’zi:k’s Racing Manager Nicolò Ildos, ‘Furthermore as a racing brand we love the way he approaches competition and his aggressive style. But we also value him for his feedback, technical input, and willingness to help the team at fi’zi:k in any way he can. It’s always nice to stop by with him for a talk at the training camps or at a race.’

Joining Gilbert on a two-year deal are four more BMC Racing Team riders who are now wearing the brand new fi’zi:k R3B: Rohan Dennis who has been using fi’zi:k since last year and rode the R1 to the Gold TTT, together with the Italian trio Alessandro De Marchi, Daniel Oss, and Damiano Caruso.