Rapha have unveiled their kit design for the newly formed UCI women’s team Canyon SRAM. Evoking speed and movement, the design consists of flashes of color against a black background. The kit is designed for peak performance and uses carefully chosen technical fabrics.
The range consists of a wide variety of apparel 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. With the introduction of this team kit, Rapha has given over a significant section of its R&D to the design of women’s high-level racing gear. The team will also wear Rapha’s main City range, featuring team branding.
“We wanted to create a design that wasn’t gender specific, just a strong visual that had energy”, says Rapha designer Ultan Coyle. “I’ve long been drawn to the warning tape you see used on building sites and along streets; 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, which would come in handy when racing. The tape formed the basis for the print, which we then we re-colored, or electrocuted, to make it more striking.”
And speaking from the team training camp, Directeur Sportif Beth Duryea said: “The kit is a unique and stunning design. I’d seen the first design some time ago but to see it here live in Mallorca for the first time, with all the different pieces combined, it fits perfectly to the image of the team. When the team is out riding on the roads they are turning heads everywhere.”
Rapha Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Clark adds, “We were incredibly excited to design this kit. We wanted it to have the practical features stand out in the peloton to help the ladies find each other at crucial moments. From an aesthetics point of view we wanted something as individual and badass as this fantastic team. We are very proud of the end result and to be supporting these ladies over the coming years.”
Rider Quotes
Tiffany Cromwell: “It makes me feel fast and confident. It’s a really cool looking kit and I love the pop of color. I think when you put this kit on you’re ready for business, all the pieces fit really well, it’s aero, fits in all the right places and the fabrics are soft on your body.”
Hannah Barnes: “[What I love most about the kit is] the brightness. Also the way the colors fade and almost look like you are already going fast when you’re standing still.”
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