Capo – Exclusive Interview With Capo’s Gary Vasconi

The following is an exclusive interview with Capo’s Gary Vasconi. We like the Capo stuff…a lot. Here’s a look behind the scenes at what motivates Gary and the Capo crew to design and create some of the very best riding gear on the market.

The Capo Forma Cima Jersey in Blue...and WHITE. YES!

Tell us about you and your partners at Upland Sports group:
GV: Robert Carbone and I own Upland Sports Group and Capo Cycling Apparel – ownership is 50/50.  Upland Sports Group is the parent company and the Exclusive Distributor for Capo Cycling Apparel.  Rob and I have known each other for 17+ years and worked at 3 different companies together before starting USG in June of 2002.  We both are married with 2 children, are avid cyclists, and used to be the best of friends until we started this business together (just play’n)!  We both have worked in the Wireless, Semiconductor and Communication Industries in Sales, Marketing and Management rolls.  After 10+ years in the Technology arena Rob and I had seen enough of Corporate America.  We spent 9 months developing our business plan around the import / distribution of Italian cycling products in the US. We attended the 2002 EICMA Expo (Italian show) and presented our business plan to 11 different Italian companies that didn’t have representation in the US or didn’t have proper representation based on our research.  Of these 11 different companies we met with Upland Sports Group signed distribution agreements with three, Bergamo Cycling Apparel, Nalini Shoes, and SOMEC Bici.  We had already identified the apparel market as our largest opportunity and our own brand was built into the original business plan based on the market gaps that we identified within the industry in 2001/02. But we weren’t ready to lunch our brand right out of the gate – better to cut our teeth with a somewhat established European vendor.  Our best and longest standing relationship is with Marcello Bergamo.  As soon as we walked through the factory both Rob and I know they were going to be a great fit for us long term.  They understood that their pure Italian designs would be a tough sell to the US masses, but they were willing to be flexible and believed in what Rob/I were trying to accomplish in the US market. This allowed use to modify patterns, pick textiles and develop designs specifically for the US market.   As we developed their brand in the US and experienced some of the industry politics (add/dropping Italian lines)  we both knew we needed full control over our company and products – thus the launch of Capo Cycling Apparel in 2005.  Our motto, Capo is your head to toe, on and off the bike, European Apparel Supplier.

Can you fill us in on your history as cyclists/business people/industry insiders?
GV: Again, Rob and I are both avid cyclist today – no real racing anymore (or in the past!) because of the families and business, but we try to ride anywhere from 2 to 5 days a week depending on family and business schedules.  To us cycling is not just a sport, but a lifestyle or way of life.  We’re both from very strong Italian families, so there’s been a lot of Italian influence in our lives – a good example was the Gran Fondo Gourmet that the VG.com team attended – sport, eat/drink and enjoy friends/family.  I’ve been on and off the bike my entire life – started racing BMX when I was 9 then bought my first MTB in 85(ish), first road bike when LeMond won his 2nd Tour in 89.  Rob raced in College at USD as a CAT3, but bought his first road bike in ’90 – an Eddy Merckx.  As business people we have a pretty simple philosophy.  You’re only as good as your last day and as soon as you get cocky, complacent or take things for granted it will be OVER, just as fast as it started.   In addition, we have an indirect sales methodology – it’s not about Rob or I, but about our end customers, retailers, and employees – if we can fill the needs of these 3 parties all things fall into place.  We are definitely not industry insiders, but more of industry outsiders – no sure if this has helped us or hindered us, but with the business has grown each year since we started in 2002.  Next frontier is the European market!  We will be expanding into Italy and the UK in 2011.

...and the Cima short...FTW!

Thinking back, is there a specific piece of clothing or a brand that you’ve owned or used that really, really impressed you? How has that item influenced the Capo line and where can the consumer see its influence in your 2010 product?
GV: Rob and I get a lot of inspiration from out of industry companies – industries such as Tennis, European Futbol, Skiing, Polo, Moto GP and Mountaineering.  With this said, there were a couple of products that we use to wear prior to starting Upland Sports Group / Capo Cycling Apparel (7+ years ago) that were great products, but they didn’t have any style / passion / or “bling”  – in our humble opinion – then there was the team / custom apparel that we were able to design, but it  wouldn’t last a season and wasn’t the most technical of garments.  This is truly where the idea for Capo started – “Could we make a superior technical product that is fashion forward and develop it into a brand of Technical Lifestyle Apparel?” It’s an ongoing challenge that we strive to nail every season – it never stops!

What’s your favorite piece in this year’s line and why?
GV: The Cima Bianca Kit (White Cima) – First and foremost I love the Euro Trash White, Bling Bling look and we have to pay homage to the Italian climbs!  Second, the kit fits like a glove (skin suit style / fit) and the technology is second to none.  The jersey uses our new HSC (Hi-Stretch Compression fabric / SPF 50) in conjunction with the Sphere TX on the back that stabilizes the jersey when loading up the rear pockets, plus you get the added benefit of the Silver Aid on the side and underarm panels for anti – odor.  There is no movement in any part of the bib short while you are on the bike – we use 280g Power Lycra on the main panels and 240g Power Lycra on the side panels and with our 8cm Dual – Ply Power Compression Band at the leg opening (sans gripper) which gives you additional muscle compression over the long haul – the MLDAnatomic 4 density chamois has a crescent moon shape to contour to the male antimony – no extra material, no bunching like a traditional flat chamois – it’s truly the world’s only 6 hour chamois.  (Ed: That’s funny…we just happen to carry the Cima stuff.)

Give us three words that you want people to associate with Capo;
GV: Performance, Comfort and Style

Can you confirm or deny USG’s second-place finish in this year’s riding/drinking biathlon with the VeloGear buying team during the Tour of California? Would you care to comment/heckle/explain?

Do you miss the Giro? Me too.

GV: I’d rather not comment – I still have scary dreams about Mr. McNeil! But the VG.com team is welcome back anytime! Wine, bikes, good friends – what better way to spend a weekend?

Thanks Gary – for a full look at all of VeloGear’s Capo Forma offerings take a peek HERE. Thanks for taking the time to check out the interview.

VJ