VAULX-MILIEUX, ISERE, France (BRAIN) — Roland Cattin, the charismatic founder and CEO of Time Sport International, died Sunday at his home near Paris of an apparent heart attack.
Cattin founded the company in 1987, starting with a road clipless pedal system. Over the years the company expanded to offer framesets, helmets, mountain bike pedals and other components. It proudly remained based in France and did most of its manufacturing there, making it one of the most important French bike brands. Time also was an early user of carbon fiber in the bike industry and continues to manufacturer its carbon frames in-house in France.
The company has long been prominent in professional racing, starting by sponsoring Tour de France champions Pedro Delgado and Greg LeMond. More recently it has sponsored Belgian classics star Tom Boonen and French mountain bike racer Julien Absalon.
The relationship with LeMond remained strong and last year LeMond looked to Time to manufacture a limited edition line of road bikes. LeMond's company also briefly served as Time's U.S. distributor.
A memorial service will be held Monday, Oct. 27, in Paris at the Paroisse St. Thomas d’Aquin.
