Italian bike makers Colnago have apologised after a sexist tweet they sent on Friday 23 October proved somewhat of a disaster.
The tweet, which pictured a lycra-wearing female leaning over a Colnago bike along with the text “ready for the weekend ride” was under fire minutes after going out online, with critics shouting loudly back at the manufacturer.
Other users on Twitter called Colnago “sexist”, said they were ‘alienating the female cycling community’, and amongst other things claimed that not only were Colnago not ready for the weekend, they were not ready for the last century.
That was just the start of the trouble for Colnago and their social media team, and after many tweeting that they would be taking their business elsewhere because of the incident, the company have issued an apology to all.
The statement from the company went out on their Facebook page today, on Monday 26 October, and read:
“Colnago deeply regrets the recent posting of an image and accompanying social media post that is offensive to women, and not at all appropriate.
“Colnago has long-supported women’s cycling and continues to provide such support, we do not condone sexism, on or off the bike, and sincerly apologize for posting the image. Our social media policies have been clarifed internally to prevent such posts from happening in the future.
“We respect all members of the Colnago community, and we appreciate the needed feedback many have provided to us on this matter.”