Vittoria Group buys tubular brand A. Dugast

OLDENZAAL, Netherlands (BRAIN) — A. Dugast, a Dutch brand famous for its handmade cyclocross tubular tires, is joining the Vittoria Group, the company announced Tuesday. 

A. Dugast has supplied many World Champions in recent years in road, cyclocross and track racing. 

Vittoria said it "aims to leverage on A. Dugast's profound market, product and process know-how in cotton and silk tubulars, which has contributed to build a unique reputation in the industry as a pure expert of high-end specialty tyres. Vittoria's activities in Italy and Thailand will thus benefit from the innovative power of A. Dugast, in bringing new experiences to riders."

Vittoria said Dugast's factory in the Netherlands will diversify its production and allow it to release special edition products like an upcoming limited edition "L'Eroica" model that will celebrate the union of the two brands. The Eroica tire will be branded "Vittoria by A.DUGAST."

Richard Plugge, managing director of the Jumbo-Visma's cycling teams, said: "We have worked successfully with both A. Dugast and Vittoria for many years, and have been able to count on their excellent products and support for our riders. Just this year, riders like Wout Van Aert and Marianne Vos have won many races in cyclocross and road races using cotton tires from both brands. We are pleased that this partnership will further develop Dutch cycling excellence in an international group."

The Alpecin-Fenix team, which includes Mathieu Van Der Poel, also is using both Vittoria and A. Dugast tires. The team said, "We're extremely happy with the support of Vittoria. The supple cotton casings assure excellent rolling performance, allowing our riders to use all the power in long races up to the final sprint, which led to 10 victories in the current season alone. Our cyclocross riders also use A. Dugast in winter doing cyclocross races. Bringing the A. Dugast brand together with Vittoria will for sure support the progress in cycling performance."

Vittoria Group has acquired full ownership of A. Dugast. Dugast's Managing Director, Richard Nieuwhuis, who had bought Dugast in 2002, has obtained a minority share in Vittoria Group, and will continue to run the company along with its current employees, while also taking a role in the Vittoria Group innovation processes. Nieuwhuis said, "In Vittoria Group we have found a partner with whom we can achieve great things for the future of A. Dugast and our products for athletes. I am thrilled to be able to contribute to the innovative drive of the team."

Stijn Vriends, the president & CEO of Vittoria Group, said, "We are extremely proud to work with Richard to make the A. Dugast product range even richer and find the next levels of performance and sustainability in bicycle tires together."

Vittoria said its North American business, Vittoria Industries North America, will "very soon" distribute Dugast tires.

Dugast tires are currently distributed in the U.S. by a company founded by former cyclocross pro Jonathan Page, a-dugastUSA.com. "(The sale) doesn't affect me so far," Page told BRAIN.