Cycling's high fashion connoisseur Rapha is at it again with its latest limited edition collection just in time for Friday's Stage 1 start of the Giro d'Italia in Jerusalem, Israel.
This time, the British-based cyclewear brand is paying homage to the first and only American winner of the Giro and the epic stage that saw him clinch the Maglia Rosa.
In 1988, Stage 14 of the race took on the Passo di Gavia in pretty extraordinary conditions. Heavy snowfall littered the ascent and descent making it almost impossible to spot the riders.
Ahead of the rest came Andy Hampsten who, covered in snow, powered ahead of the field and descended to the finish to take the race lead and eventually the overall win.
Images of Hampsten alone atop of the Gavia have now been etched into history, regularly revisited when the conversation of adverse weather is ever mentioned.
Today, with it being the 30th anniversary of Hampsten's Gavia heroics, Rapha has launched a limited edition collection to commemorate this famous moment from cycling's past.
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Simply called the Gavia Collection, Rapha has taken inspiration from Hampsten's 7-Eleven-Hoonved team, what Hampsten wore on the day and some of the simple tricks cyclists once used to stay warm in the coldest of conditions.
The noteworthy parts of the collection are almost certainly the race cape and baselayer.
Using the technology of Rapha's Pro Team race cape, the Gavia 88 edition is coloured in a rich red inspired by the bright jacket Hampsten turned to on that cold day thirty years ago.
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Little touches have been included with a small, stitched patch with Hampsten's name on the front as well as the phrase 'Chiesa Valmalenco - Bormio' on the the left arm, the start and finish points of that day's stage.
The brilliantly designed baselayer pays homage to the method of stuffing newspaper down your jersey at the top of mountain descents to keep warm.
In pink, its design mirrors the distinctive pages of Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport with images of that year's race printed across the garment.
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The accompanying bibshorts have also been produced with the newspaper print across the straps in order to blend in with the baselayer, while the bright blue jersey comes in with a half-zip and takes a design nod from the race's combination classification jersey.
Rapha has also produced a set of its Pro Team Neoprene gloves in a Gaviria Limited Edition style with a subtle nod the mountain and year on the left finger.
A pair of low-rise socks -just how Hampsten prefers - and waterproof winter hat finish the collection which goes on sale today, Thursday 3rd May.
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Rapha Gavia collection
Rapha Gavia jersey - £155
Rapha Gavia Pro Team race cape - £250
Rapha Gavia Classics bibshorts - £200
Rapha Gavia Pro Team baselayer - £55
Rapha Gavia Pro Team neoprene gloves - £40
Rapha Gavia Winter hat - £50
Rapha Gavia Pro Team socks - £15
