Rapha have unveiled their kit design for the newly-formed UCI women’s team. Evoking speed and movement, the design consists of flashes of colour against a black background. The kit is designed for peak performance, and uses carefully-chosen technical fabrics and obsessive detailing and fit.
The range consists of a wide variety of clothing for all weather conditions, from deep winter items to jerseys made of the lightest material available for hot weather and time trials. The fabric and fit of the short sleeve jersey (including sleeve length and material) has been aerodynamically tested for optimal performance, gathering learnings from Rapha’s past experience in clothing professional cycling teams. The TT suit has been proven in wind tunnel testing to be one of the most aerodynamic pieces of kit available. The team will also be provided with casual wear based on Rapha’s main City range, featuring team branding.
Rapha designer Ultan Coyle stated:
“We wanted to create a design that wasn’t gender specific, just a strong visual that had energy. I’ve long been drawn to the warning tape you see used on building sites and along the street; specifically when there are multiple layers wrapped around scaffolding poles or broken lamp posts to highlight potential dangers. I liked the idea of wrapping the body in the tape to suggest an athletic threat or danger to add attitude and which would come in handy when racing….so the tape formed the basis for the print which we then we re-coloured, or electrocuted it, to make it more striking.”
Gorgeous kit, especially when combined with their Canyon bikes…
Rapha.cc