Pro Team Kit

Rapha have dropped their new 'Pro Team' line - garments designed for the specifics of racing. Think aero, streamlined, paired down styling with performance the key factor. Designed by two Rapha Condor stalwarts, Olympian Chris Newton and ex National Champion Kristian House, the kit resembles those garments of the Pro Tour peloton - highly technical and lightweight fabrics that cling to the skin in an uber PRO fashion.The jersey is made from an extremely high-wicking, stretch fabric from Switzerland that is exclusive to Rapha and incorporates Coldblack® technology, so the black material stays cool against the skin in hot weather and provides UV protection.

Whilst its quite an unforgiving cut - its nice to see someone produce a jersey akin to that worn in professional racing. I have had my fingers burnt once before buying 'Pro Team' replica kit, only to find it arrives and its a cheap loose cut made with budget fabrics and pretty much nothing like the quality of the kit I saw in a race and wanted to purchase! Most teams in the pro tour now employ some kind of aerodynamic design element to their kit. Castelli seemed to set a precedent with this in producing the Cervelo Test Team aero range. I believe Garmin also had special climbers and aero jerseys available as team issue by their kit supplier Pearl Izumi. So its nice to see a brand other than Castelli throw its hat into producing race specific clothing for the discerning weekend racers amongst us.

a fine aero example via flickr

via Cycling Weekly

Another worthwhile mention here if discussing race fit clothing is to Le Col. Iv been admiring of their clothing for sometime, and with its racy aggressive cut and simple colour styling, its another great option for those seeking that tight aero fit minus the plastering of distasteful euro sponsor logos all over it.

Leon Harris Flickr