VP Sales & Marketing at Verge Sport | Cycling Industry Veteran | ex-Zwift

As a cycling industry veteran, I have spent the majority of my career growing some of the world's most recognizable cycling brands including Zwift (currently valued at over $1 billion) and Champion System. I was asked to join each of these startups  as one of only a handful of executives and I played an integral role in their success. I deliver results by building strategic direct-to-consumer programs that elevate brands. I thrive in fast-paced workplaces and I’m driven by my passion for turning ideas into action.

VP of Sales & Marketing

Established the custom division is the US.

National Head of Sales

Preem was an ambitious startup focussed on creating a new platform where cyclists talk to their friends, plan their rides, and stay connected to their community and preferred brands. 

My role was to align the product strategy with the overall business strategy and ensure the product met the needs of the customers.

Head of Product

- Oversaw and managed the Zwift Racing League, the largest racing league in the world (virtual and real world).
- Directed the competition events for the Olympic Virtual Series, a new virtual event launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).     
- Launched Zwift Racing, daily best-in-class Zwift events for the racing community.

Event Director

- Responsible for organizing over 400 bicycle races in the greater New York City area in multiple venues across Brooklyn, Long Island, Governors Island, and the former organizer of the Harlem Skyscraper Classic, one of the longest continually run races in the U.S. 
- Direct reports of all staff including 6 motorcycle drivers, 4 USAC race officials, on-site medical team, event timing service, and race marshall coordinator (responsible for 30 marshals).
- Key functional areas include overall event management, sponsorship and development, marketing strategies, pre-event and on-site operations, media communications, accounting, staffing, municipality and governmental permitting, insurance.

President and Founder

- Developed and directed the KISS Super League, the first-ever virtual racing league featuring UCI Professional Cycling Teams. 
- Partnered with Tour de France organizers, A.S.O., to create the first-ever virtual Tour de France. In my role as Race Director, I assisted with choosing all routes and distances for both the men’s and women’s race and liaised with 20 men’s UCI World and Pro Continental Teams and 16 UCI Women’s Teams
- Launched the Movistar Challenge, in partnership with the UCI Movistar World Tour Team. Through a series of races on Zwift, 5 men and 5 women from the Zwift community were awarded contracts to join the Movistar Esports Team, the first-ever Esports team operated alongside a World Tour Team.
- Established the Zwift Classics, an 8 race series of one-day races for Elite Esports team with featured coverage on CyclingNews.com and VeloNews.com
- Supervised the route development of the first-ever Criterium course in Zwift, “Crit City”
- Organized outdoor events featuring Zwift activations. Coordinated all logistics including securing venues and talent, budget setting, run-of-show, and permitting.

Race Director

- Joined when the company was a startup with a handful of employees.
- Created iconic virtual events in Zwift including the Tour de Zwift, Tour of Watopia, and the Z Fondo Series, each of which engaged hundreds of thousands of subscribers. 
- Partnered with the UCI Richmond World Championship organizers to create the first-ever virtual version of a World Championship course.
- Partnered with the AEG, the organizers of the Amgen Tour of California, to become the official virtual platform of the event from 2015-2019.
- Activated with former pro cyclist Jens Voigt to host the first-ever virtual ride with a pro cyclist.
- Organized an annual 24 hour Zwiftathon charity initiative with World Bicycle Relief that engaged subscribers to “make their miles count” to raise money for WBR. Secured 24 professional athletes, including Kristin Armstrong, Axel Merckx, Lawson Craddock, and Andy Hampsten, to lead virtual group rides every hour. In each of the 6 years we hosted the event, we raised over $250k for WBR.
- Secured partnerships for our marquee Zwift events with key cycling brands including Assos, Canyon, Castelli, Cervelo, Giant, Rapha, and Santini.
- Coordinated the first-ever virtual team presentation for Lotto-Soudal, a UCI World Tour pro cycling team.
- Worked with Zwift community event organizers to develop unique content creating thousands of virtual events.
- Organized outdoor events featuring Zwift activations. Coordinated all logistics including securing venues and talent, budget setting, run-of-show, and permitting.

Vice President of Events

- Joined when the company was a startup and oversaw all sales, marketing, sponsorships, and product development.
- In the first year, secured 500+ custom apparel orders from teams and clubs in North America.
- Revolutionized the custom apparel business by adopting digital sublimation, eliminating minimum order requirements, and removing all artwork charges.
- Developed the online design and order portal including building the prototype and wireframes.
- Direct reports included 8 inside sales reps, 3 territory reps, in-house design team, social media director, and IT coordinator.
- Negotiated leader kit sponsorships with premier North American stage races including Tour of the Gila, Tour de Beauce, Joe Martin Stage Race, Cascade Cycling Classic, and the Mt Hood Cycling Classic.
- Secured partnerships with numerous UCI Professional Cycling Teams including Toyota-United, Team Type 1, Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld, Team LUNA Chix, Optum Pro Cycling, Jamis-Sutter Home, and Fly V Australia.
- Designed and supervised the booth at the annual Interbike Trade Show.
- Assisted with managing the Champion System Pro Cycling Team, a UCI Pro Continental Team.

Vice President of Sales & Marketing

- Exclusive U.S. agent for Sportful Cycling Apparel (Italy), 1993-1995
- Exclusive U.S. agent for Alexa Cycling Apparel (England), 1996-2001
- Exclusive U.S. agent for Impsport Cycling Apparel (England), 2001-2003
- Targeted North American cycling and tri clubs/teams to sell custom apparel
- Sold over 300 custom cycling and tri apparel orders
- Introduced full lines of custom cycling apparel including new-to-market apparel such as custom winter & summer gloves, cyclocross skinsuits, winter and time trial shoe covers, arm warmers, and cycling caps, all fully customizable with a club’s artwork. 
- Sponsored the Navigators Pro Cycling Team and the Go Mart-West Virginia Pro Cycling team (Alexa)
- Partnered with the UCI Univest Grand Prix as the official winner’s jersey of the race (Alexa & Impsport)

President & Founder

- Began racing in the junior 8-11 category, thanks to a very supportive father, a former racer himself.
- Scored over 500 top ten finishers.
- Silver medalist in the Junior National Pursuit Championship.
- Competed with the U.S. National Team in the Vuelta a Chile and Tour de Greece, both international stage races.
- Competed with the U.S. National Team in the Thrift Drug Classic, Trenton Classic, and Freehold Classic. Professional only races, our U.S. National Team was invited to compete.
- Competed in the Tour de Beauce and Tour of Texas, both international stage races.
- I still compete in several races each year. I'm slower now.

Bicycle Racing Background

Find out detailed information about Charlie Issendorf, VP Sales & Marketing at Verge Sport | Cycling Industry Veteran | ex-Zwift in United States

Charlie Issendorf: VP Sales & Marketing at Verge Sport | Cycling Industry Veteran | ex-Zwift in United States

Charlie Issendorf