Shane Stokes

One of the most iconic brands in the history of cycling is facing a challenging future. Campagnolo revealed this week it was laying off 40% of its workforce. The Italian components manufacturer has let go 120 employees out of 300, warning that there ‘is no alternative.’ It said there would otherwise be ‘dramatic consequences for the company and for the city of Vicenza.’

A company statement cited by the Italian publication Il Gazzettino and later reported by road.cc said that “the balance sheet data until 31 May 2025 show that in the financial years 2023, 2024, 2025 the loss exceeds 24 million euros.”

It added that “in the face of these difficult numbers, due primarily to a really heavy sectoral situation that applies to Campagnolo as for its competitors around the world, the shareholder has signed a financing, between November 2024 and December 2025, of 10 million euro.”

Despite that loan, the situation remains very challenging, something it said necessitated the redundancies. “Liquidity, today, cannot guarantee a continuity of business under the current conditions. So, together with a necessary ongoing product development plan, relaunching is not possible without a very important cost rethink, at all levels.”

The company, like Shimano and others, has faced headwinds since the end of the Covid-related boom in the industry.

The brand was founded in 1933 by the Italian Tullio Campagnolo, some three years after he patented the quick release hub. This was the first of more than 135 patents. The company patented a sliding hub dual rod-operated back derailleur in 1940 and introduced many more innovations to the sport. It was used by cycling legends such as Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, Greg LeMond, Miguel Indurain, Tadej Pogačar and others.

However its once widespread presence in the pro peloton dwindled in recent years. It was completely absent from the WorldTour in 2024, but returned this season in a four year deal with the Cofidis team.

Significant waning of presence in peloton

The company has billed the steps taken as something that could protect the future of the business in Vicenza. It also has a manufacturing wing in Romania.

This week’s statement said that the company has “produced a financial plan aimed at institutions and possible partners to reverse the trend and return to the Vicenza community a company not only technically to excellence, but also capable of supporting itself.”

It added that the “reduction in the cost of labor of 40% that will allow a continuation of employment at the Vicenza site even in the future, albeit reduced.”

There is no indication that the current turbulence will affect its relationship with the Cofidis team. However that squad is facing WorldTour relegation in 2026, with Uno-X finishing ahead of it on points and moving up.

Backing just four teams across the men’s and women’s pelotons in 2025—including at the Pro Continental and Continental levels—was already a marked drop from 2014, when it had 27-such affiliations.

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Having another major drivetrain manufacturer in the mix has always been positive. We’ve been impressed by Campagnolo’s recent Super Record 13 release, and intrigued by their new gravel-specific Super Record X. We wish the best for the affected employees, and we hope to see the company bounce back from this. Their impact on the sport over the years has been undeniable.