Gerard Vroomen is best known as the founder of Cervelo. This is the second time Gerard has been on the show, and this time around we talk about his new investment fund, Fundracer. Fundracer specializes in micro-mobility startups, and he started the fund just over a year ago with his partners, Rene Wiertz, who is the former owner and CEO of 3T, and Andy Ording, who was the former CEO and the founder of Zipp Wheels. 

The fund focuses mainly on safety technologies like AI collision detection, foldable helmets, as well as bicycle ABS systems. The discussion provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at how a micromobility investment fund actually operates. 

Vroomen candidly discusses decision-making criteria, operational division of responsibilities among partners, and hands-on support. Their market intelligence from evaluating 600 companies annually explains their safety-tech focus over performance products.

0:00 – Introduction & Purpose of the Interview
0:51 – Meet the Founders: Backgrounds and Industry Experience
7:12 – Building the Team & Fund Structure
14:04 – How Fundracer Invests: Process, Criteria, and Due Diligence
19:20 – Investment Size, Portfolio Strategy, and Active Support
23:12 – What Makes a Great Startup: Criteria, Challenges, and Lessons Learned
32:14 – Reflections, Industry Trends, and How to Connect

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Alberto Morgando is the CEO of the iconic brand Mavic. Alberto shares his fascinating journey from studying mechanical engineering in Turin, Italy to leading multinational companies and private equity turnarounds before taking the helm at the legendary French wheel manufacturer.

Arriving at a precarious moment when Mavic was struggling with significant losses amid cycling's market downturn, Alberto faces the critical task of returning this storied brand to profitability and long-term health.

We explore his management philosophy, the unique challenges of revitalizing a storied brand, and his strategic approach to navigating the volatile cycling industry. With his outsider perspective and proven turnaround expertise, Alberto offers fresh insights into brand revival, market dynamics, and the evolving future of cycling.

Introduction & Background
0:00 – Introduction to Alberto Morgando and his background in engineering and management.
Early Career & Moving Abroad
1:14 – Alberto’s decision to study engineering, early career in logistics, and moving from Italy to France.
Small vs. Large Companies
5:45 – Experiences in small companies vs. large corporations, and the value of both.
Transition to Consulting & MBA
12:50 – Pursuing an MBA, entering consulting, and the impact on his career trajectory.
Leadership Philosophy & Management Roles
18:46 – Alberto’s approach to leadership, impact, and moving into executive roles.
First CEO Experience & Private Equity
22:06 – Taking on CEO roles in mid-sized companies, challenges, and successes.
Joining Mavic & Brand Revitalization
27:07 – How Alberto became involved with Mavic, the brand’s challenges, and his mandate.
Cycling Industry Challenges & Strategy
36:37 – The unique challenges of the cycling industry, market cycles, and Mavic’s strategy for growth.
Product Innovation & Market Approach
43:09 – Focus on product development, innovation, and balancing OEM and aftermarket business.
Retail, D2C, and Channel Strategy
53:54 – Mavic’s approach to retail, direct-to-consumer, and online channels.
Closing & Contact Information
59:17 – Final thoughts, how to contact Alberto, and closing remarks.


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In this episode, we dive deep into the shocking news of YT Industries entering self-administration, examining what led one of the bike industry's most successful direct-to-consumer brands to this critical juncture.

Our guests bring unique insights to this developing story: Raymund Bareuther, an M&A expert who was directly involved in YT's previous acquisition deal when founder Markus Flossman brought in private equity investment, and Cristobal Perez, a veteran bike industry executive with decades of managerial experience across Europe.

We explore the perfect storm that hit YT - from post-COVID inventory challenges and brutal industry-wide discounting wars to US tariff uncertainties affecting 50% of their business. Our experts break down what self-administration means, why even well-managed companies like YT can fall victim to industry-wide pressures, and what the restructuring process might look like going forward.

We also discuss Markus Flossman's remarkably transparent YouTube response to the crisis and why this human approach to crisis communication stands out in an industry where companies typically go silent during financial difficulties.

00:00 Introduction
00:16 Meet the Experts:Raymund Bareuther and Cristobal Perez
02:51 Understanding Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
05:47 The YT Industries Situation
07:09 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Bike Industry
11:15 Self-Administration and Restructuring
14:03 Future of YT Industries
20:56 Cristobal Perez's Insights
31:02 Challenges in the Bike Industry
37:47 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, I sit down with Greg Shapleigh, who came highly recommended by multiple previous guests as someone I absolutely had to interview. Greg's journey in the cycling industry is remarkable - he started as a shipping clerk at Giro after moving to Santa Cruz to pursue bike racing, but quickly found himself pulled into marketing and product development discussions. Over three decades, he's shaped some of cycling's most iconic brands and products, from Giro's revolutionary helmets to the creation of Fizik saddles.

What makes Greg unique is his disciplined, values-driven approach to brand building, heavily influenced by mentorship from "Good to Great" author Jim Collins. We dive deep into his philosophy of focusing on core values rather than chasing opportunities, his experiences at companies like Specialized and Santa Cruz, and how he identifies stagnant product categories ripe for innovation. Greg shares invaluable insights on building teams, making strategic decisions, and the delicate balance between staying true to your brand and achieving growth.

00:00 Introduction to Greg Shapley
01:40 Greg's Early Life and Career Beginnings
08:26 Discovering Cycling and Moving to Santa Cruz
10:36 Starting at Giro and Early Marketing Involvement
15:59 Transition to Marketing Manager at Giro
18:24 Collaboration with Jim Collins and Business Philosophy
25:10 Giro's Acquisition by Bell Sports
32:23 Innovations and Expanding Product Lines
38:48 Market Cycles and Product Innovation
39:34 Understanding Product as a Concept
40:41 Brand Values and Business Success
41:48 Giro's Approach to Product Development
43:52 Expanding into New Categories
46:27 Career Transitions and Business Philosophy
50:00 The Importance of Values in Business
52:36 Challenges in Brand Positioning
54:00 Consulting and Brand Strategy
01:12:20 Specialized: A Case Study
01:17:58 Final Thoughts and Contact Information


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Stefan Reisinger is the Managing Director of Fairnamic which is the organization behind the Eurobike event in Frankfurt. 

In this timely conversation, Stefan provides an insider's perspective on what to expect at this year's show in Frankfurt, including 1,500+ exhibiting companies, new industry innovations, and the launch of a groundbreaking global bicycle purchasing index. 

With the cycling industry navigating challenging times, Stefan discusses how EUROBIKE serves as both a mirror to market conditions and a potential catalyst for recovery. Plus, he shares practical tips for maximizing your time at the event and highlights must-see panels and networking opportunities.

00:39 Meet Stefan Reisinger: Managing Director of Fairnamic 
01:37 EUROBIKE 2025: Updates and Expectations
04:03 Global Participation and Market Trends
04:54 Innovations and New Features at EUROBIKE
10:53 Tips for Attending EUROBIKE
12:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Wayne Brown's unconventional journey from child actor to London advertising executive, working with major brands like Apple and Land Rover, led him to an unexpected destination: becoming CEO of cycling's premier marketing agency.

Despite not being an avid cyclist when he joined Shift Active Media, Wayne has helped build what many consider the industry's most influential marketing firm. In this candid conversation, he shares insights on brand positioning, navigating industry volatility, and the future of cycling marketing.


00:00 Introduction to Wayne Brown and Shift Active Media
01:49 Wayne Brown's Early Life and Career Beginnings
02:58 Transition from Acting to Advertising
04:34 Climbing the Advertising Ladder
13:10 High-Profile Advertising Campaigns
16:21 Shift to Digital Advertising
20:07 Joining Shift Active Media
23:39 The Evolution of Shift and GCN
27:28 Becoming CEO of Shift
28:46 Challenges of Entering the Cycling Industry
30:46 Shift's Position in the Cycling Market
33:19 Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
35:56 Expanding Beyond Cycling
40:29 Shift's Comprehensive Service Offering
45:27 Importance of Brand Positioning
51:19 Macro Trends in Media
56:09 Shift's Marketing and PR Strategy
59:17 Conclusion and Contact Information

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Wade Wallace's journey from a nuclear research town in Manitoba to building one of cycling's most influential media platforms was anything but conventional. As the founder of Cycling Tips and now Escape Collective, Wallace shares how a simple blog started during the 2008 financial crisis grew into a pioneering digital cycling platform.

This conversation traces his path from accidental blogger to media entrepreneur, including his formative years at Rapha and his vision for sustainable, independent cycling journalism. His unique story serves as a microcosm of cycling media's evolution in the digital age.

00:00 Introduction to Wade Wallace
03:05 Wade's Early Life in Manitoba
05:39 University and Early Career
06:48 Accidental Foray into Competitive Cycling
13:59 The Birth of Cycling Tips
26:31 Joining Rapha and Learning the Ropes
35:49 Balancing Rapha and Cycling Tips
37:12 Reflecting on the Early Days of Cycling Tips
37:38 Transitioning from Rapha to Cycling Tips
40:36 Challenges and Growth of Cycling Tips
45:22 Entering the U.S. Market and Taking on Investment
49:16 Partnership with Pinkbike and Private Equity
55:18 The Outside Acquisition and Its Challenges
01:03:28 Launching Escape Collective
01:09:59 The Future of Cycling Media
01:13:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Live from Cycling World 2025 Dusseldorf: In the discussion we dive into the future of cycling distribution with industry experts from Harmen van Es of Stichting DST & Dynamo Retail Group, Luca Bergliaffa of Assos, and Michael Scholz of SRM. Discover how digital integration, data sharing, and omnichannel strategies are transforming relationships between brands, retailers, and distributors in an increasingly connected cycling ecosystem.

00:00 - 01:45: Introduction and Welcome 01:46 - 05:30: Panel Introductions 05:31 - 12:00: Evolution of Online Shopping in Cycling 12:01 - 18:45: Product Data Sharing and Integration 18:46 - 25:30: POS Systems and Retailer Integration 25:31 - 32:15: B2C vs B2B Customer Experience 32:16 - 38:00: Customer Data and Analytics 38:01 - 45:30: Future Trends in Distribution 45:31 - 47:00: Closing Remarks and Thanks

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The following is my conversation with Steve Smith. At the risk of sounding hyperbolic, he's among the most accomplished and interesting people that I've met in the cycling business. In addition to being a hardworking and genuine guy.

Steve started his career at Nike in Oregon.His dream job was working for Nike, and after 10 years with the swoosh, he decided to pull up roots and move himself and his wife to Europe. I asked him why he did this. He said, he just wanted a new adventure, to discover something new. And where he landed was at Manifattura Valcismon in Veneto, where he went on to help the Cremonese family to reacquire the Castelli brand.

From bankruptcy, they took it literally to the moon because it's become among the top brands in the cycling clothing business. I'm really fortunate to know Steve throughout my career, and I'm really, really excited to share his story with all of you in the cycling world.

00:00 - 02:30: Introduction

• Brief overview of Steve's career trajectory
• Introduction to the podcast

02:30 - 07:45: Early Life and Cycling Beginnings

• Growing up in Boring, Oregon
• Early cycling experiences
• First race bike and Campagnolo components
• Education and interest in French

07:45 - 15:30: Nike Years

• Starting at Nike in 1990
• Working in sales operations
• European assignment in Amsterdam
• Product line management for cycling footwear and sandals

15:30 - 21:15: The Big Move to Italy

• Decision to leave Nike and move to Europe
• The conversation with his wife about relocating
• Learning Italian and preparing for the move
• Connection with Tim Maloney leading to Manifattura Valcismon

21:15 - 28:00: Early Days at Manifattura Valcismon

• Initial role with Sportful
• The challenges of working in a small Italian family company
• Learning the cycling market and Italian business culture

28:00 - 35:45: The Castelli Acquisition

• The 2004 purchase of Castelli
• Initial strategy and involvement with the US market
• Repositioning the brand back to its performance roots
• History of Castelli and Maurizio Castelli's innovations

35:45 - 42:30: Product Innovation at Castelli

• Developing aerodynamic cycling clothing
• The creation of the GABA jacket
• Working with team Cervelo Test Team
• The importance of the product development team

42:30 - 48:15: Distribution and Marketing Evolution

• International distribution strategy
• Dealing with online retail and discounting
• Changing landscape of cycling apparel distribution
• Impact of COVID on inventory and the supply chain

48:15 - 54:00: Marketing and Communication Strategy

• Evolution from print to digital marketing
• Sponsoring professional teams
• How pro cycling's influence has changed
• Applying Nike marketing experience to Castelli

54:00 - 60:00: Life in Italy and Final Thoughts

• Becoming integrated into Italian culture
• Reflections on 20+ years in Italy
• Family company dynamics
• Looking toward the future

Felix Kuffner, is the creator behind "Felix Testet Bikes" and one of Germany's leading cycling content creators. Felix transitioned from racing BMX and working as a marketing manager to building a successful YouTube channel during the pandemic.

In our conversation, we'll explore the business side of content creation in the cycling industry—from monetization strategies and brand relationships to what makes compelling video content that delivers both value and revenue to brands.

This is an insightful look into the business of content creation from one of the leaders in the business.

Check out Felix's channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/FelixtestetBikes

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