“Increasingly difficult market conditions” blamed as Saddleback enters administration. Why now and what next for major UK cycling distributor?

Saddleback, the UK distributor of prestige cycling brands, has gone into administration, only months after losing Cannondale from its books.

The company, based in Yate, near Bristol, was founded in 2004 but has now closed its doors, with Jonathan Dunn and Matt Whitchurch appointed as administrators.

“Unfortunately, the business has faced increasingly difficult market conditions in recent years,” said Dunn.

According to The Times, 42 staff have been made redundant at the firm, the UK home of Pivot, Castelli, Sportful, Silca, Abbey Bike Tools, Feedback Sports and others. A source at Saddleback told BikeRadar that staff were informed of the news on Friday after efforts to refinance the company failed.

Dunn added: “Our immediate priority is supporting those employees who have been made…