Campagnolo’s Triumphant Return to the WorldTour: Cofidis Partnership Announced for 2025

Italian component manufacturer Campagnolo is making a comeback to the men’s WorldTour in 2025, announcing a four-year partnership with French team Cofidis and their bike sponsor, Look. The collaboration marks Campagnolo's return to the top tier of cycling after its absence in 2024 and signals a significant step for both the brand and the team as they aim for renewed success.

Campagnolo's Legacy in WorldTour Cycling

Campagnolo’s roots in professional cycling run deep, boasting an illustrious history that includes:

• 43 Tour de France victories
• 30 Giro d’Italia victories
• 30 World Championships titles

Despite these accolades, Campagnolo faced a decline in recent years. The brand supplied components to only four men’s teams in 2021, including UAE Team Emirates, whose rider Tadej Pogačar claimed the Tour de France. However, issues such as compatibility concerns and rider dissatisfaction hindered Campagnolo's ability to maintain dominance in the peloton.

Challenges and Shift to Gravel Market

In the past decade, Campagnolo gradually lost ground to competitors like Shimano and SRAM, who have gained a stronghold by supplying integrated bike solutions to leading manufacturers. This left Campagnolo increasingly absent from the men's peloton.

Focusing instead on niche markets, Campagnolo redirected its efforts toward gravel cycling, launching the 13-speed Ekar mechanical groupset and continuing to develop high-performance wheels. These ventures helped the brand maintain its reputation for premium craftsmanship, even as it receded from the WorldTour.

The Cofidis Partnership: A New Era

Campagnolo’s return to the WorldTour begins in earnest in 2025 through a partnership with Cofidis, a team currently battling to secure its spot among the top 18 WorldTour teams for the 2026-2028 cycle.

Under this new deal, Cofidis’ Look bicycles will be outfitted with:

• Super Record Wireless Groupsets: Campagnolo’s flagship technology, offering cutting-edge performance.
• Bora Ultra WTO Wheels: Aerodynamic wheels compatible with 28mm or 30mm tubeless tires for enhanced speed and comfort.

This collaboration represents a strategic opportunity for Campagnolo to reassert its presence in elite road racing while showcasing its latest advancements.

The Road Ahead for Cofidis

Cofidis enters the 2025 season with high stakes, needing to amass valuable points to remain in the WorldTour beyond 2025. The team is facing significant pressure to perform, especially after the departure of star climber Guillaume Martin, who has moved to French rivals Groupama-FDJ.

To bolster its roster, Cofidis has signed several key riders:

• Alex Aranburu: Known for his versatility and sprinting ability.
• Emanuel Buchmann: A seasoned climber with Grand Tour experience.
• Simon Carr: A promising young talent with potential in stage races.
• Dylan Teuns: A strong rider in one-day classics and hilly terrain.

These acquisitions aim to strengthen Cofidis' lineup as the team fights to remain competitive on the world stage.

Campagnolo’s Comeback: Significance and Future Prospects

Campagnolo’s return to the WorldTour is a noteworthy moment in cycling, symbolizing a renewed effort to reclaim its position among the sport’s leading component manufacturers. By partnering with Cofidis and leveraging its innovative products like the Super Record Wireless groupset, Campagnolo aims to demonstrate that it remains a top contender in high-performance cycling.

For Cofidis, the partnership represents an opportunity to enhance its performance with state-of-the-art technology while striving to achieve success in the WorldTour. With the combined efforts of Campagnolo, Look, and its newly strengthened roster, Cofidis is poised for an exciting 2025 season.

Bottom line 

Campagnolo’s return to the WorldTour marks a significant milestone for the storied Italian brand, offering a fresh chance to shine on cycling’s biggest stage. For Cofidis, the partnership brings cutting-edge technology at a time when every performance point matters.

As both entities embark on this four-year journey together, fans can look forward to watching the revival of a legendary brand and the rise of a determined team in the 2025 WorldTour season.