Like composing your own critical notices in the voice of Ned Boulting, donning team kit can be a guilty pleasure. But with the Tour de France now upon us, what better way to show your support for the riders than by pulling on some replica kit? Don’t listen to the cycling snobs who tell you it should only be seen on riders actually contracted by the team.
Classic team kits of yesteryear comprised little more than a woollen jersey and shorts with the sponsor’s name stitched on or woven in, but the invention of dye sublimation printing in 1983 put the final nail in the coffin of cycling’s golden age of style. Free to print as many logos as they liked directly into the material, teams moved away from the previously minimalist style, instead creating the lairy designs that dominated the late ’80s and ’90s. Luckily, some teams seem to be returning to a less-is-more approach, with this year’s designs featuring some potential future classics. And with manufacturers throwing all their expertise at outfitting the teams, it’s a good place to look for cutting-edge technology.
Astana (Moa)
Controversy surrounds the Kazakh government-sponsored team after two of its riders tested positive for EPO but that hasn’t detracted from the team’s enthusiasm for racing, as anyone who watched this year’s Giro d’Italia will testify. We’re expecting more of the same at the Tour (about to start as we went to press). Like last year’s Tour winner and team leader Nibali, the team’s kit is born and bred in Italy, manufactured by Moa, but we were underwhelmed by the loose cut, stubby zip and baggy sleeves of the replica jersey. The shorts are equally basic, leaving us feeling more amateur hour than sponsored pro.
Pro Team Replica jersey £60
Pro Team Replica bibshorts £70
raleigh.co.uk
BMC Racing Team (Pearl Izumi)
Big in the early season Classics, the American BMC Racing Team is equally capable of top performances in Grand Tours. Swiss bike manufacturer and team sponsor BMC has partnered with American clothing brand Pearl Izumi to develop its kit. With the team’s bikes being famously aerodynamic, Pearl Izumi spent time in the wind tunnel to ensure its clothing is low drag. It definitely shows in the contour-hugging fit of the jersey, which has a wrinkle-free cut and snug cuffs to keep wind resistance low. The wind-cheating dimpled fabric on the sleeves extends to the shorts, which feature secure, oversized grippers on the cuffs.
Pro LTD Speed jersey £90
Pro LTD Speed bibshorts £120
madison.co.uk
Orica GreenEdge (Craft)
Home to ex-Australian road race champ Simon Gerrans, who had to relinquish his national jersey (shown here) earlier this year. The kit comes from the opposite side of the world, from Swedish brand Craft, famous for its mountain sports clothing. We’ve always been impressed by its budget-conscious designs. Technology wise, there’s not a lot going on with the jersey, which is baggy enough to flap in the wind and lacks many of the traits we’ve come to associate with high-end race kit. The shorts pack in far more features, with a multi-panel, multi-density chamois and flush, aero-looking cuffs. They’re comfy and great value.
Craft Orica GreenEdge Replica jersey £60
Craft Orica GreenEdge Replica bibshorts £68
craft.se
Movistar (Endura)
Scottish brand Endura scored a major coup in becoming outfitter to Spanish mega team Movistar. Having produced what was briefly the world’s fastest skinsuit for Alex Dowsett’s Hour record, its focus will now be on keeping Nairo Quintana’s bottom happy on the Tour with its 800 series chamois pad, its aerated and dimpled construction claiming to ‘massage’ your posterior. Despite the low cost, this kit is the exact same as the one issued to the team, which is obvious from the second you pull it on. Its aero fit sits close on the chest, and the raw capped sleeves and cuffs scream speed. Pro treatment at privateer prices.
Movistar jersey £60
Movistar Team Issue bibshorts £75
endurasport.com
Etixx-QuickStep (Vermarc)
This European Classics squad is home to Manxman Mark Cavendish, who should be in the mix come the sprint stages. The Belgians love their cycling and don’t seem to feel the need to give it a trendy makeover – most kit is emblazoned with logos for products like flooring or farm equipment. Vermarc produces around 400 team kits each year and its no-nonsense designs tend to be as tough as the riders they clothe. This replica kit is another case of shorts for athletes – they’re from Vermarc’s excellent PRR range – and a top that is more of a fan’s item. Its basic design, generous fit and low cost make it perfect for cheering from the roadside.
Etixx-QuickStep jersey £57
Etixx-QuickStep bibshorts £84
chickencyclekit.co.uk
Tinkoff-Saxo (Sportful)
Russian business whizz Oleg Tinkov was tickled pink when Alberto Contador won the Giro – so much so that he dyed his hair to match the maglia rosa. Will he be dying his hair yellow come the Tour’s final stage? Winning in France will be a difficult prospect. With five different jerseys available to the team, we picked its default choice, the Race, with features such as raw-edged sleeves and a very breathable and quick-drying material. While the BodyFit Pro shorts are not top of the range, they’re very comfy, with compression fit, dense padding and fully pro radio pocket on the back. In fact, we like them so much, we use them for our own BikesEtc team kit.
Tinkoff-Saxo Race jersey £90
Tinkoff-Saxo BodyFit Pro bibshorts £90
sportful.com
Team Sky (Rapha)
Beloved in Britain but universally grumbled about on the continent, no other team is as single-minded as Sky. With private motor homes (briefly), a huge budget and team cars from Jaguar, boutique clothing manufacturer Rapha is a natural fit. Owner Simon Mottram explains, ‘Sky were looking for someone who would concentrate on them, a real partner. For Adidas [Sky’s previous kit supplier], cycling was only one of a hundred sports.’ The result is a pro team range designed around the squad, something that no doubt appealed to marginal gains-obsessed director Sir David Brailsford. Supremely comfy, the bibshorts have long been among our favourites, while the jersey’s flat-fronted fit is impeccable. Non-team equivalents come in stylish block colours.
Team Sky Pro jersey £120
Team Sky Pro bibshorts £190
rapha.cc
Trek Factory Racing (Bontrager)
One of three teams with a bicycle brand as a headline sponsor, Trek Factory Racing draws its riders from across the world. With few prospects for the general classification, look out for Swiss hardman Fabian Cancellara to try to nab some early stages. Trek’s in-house brand Bontrager supplies the team’s monochrome pinstriped kit. Pulling it on, we felt ready to tackle a Grand Tour – it really has a magic pro quality. The true race cut, flat seams and silky fabric give nothing away. Superbly comfortable and very aerodynamic,this is among the nicest kit we’ve tried.
Trek Factory Racing RSL Pro jersey £130
Trek Factory Racing RSL Pro Road bibshorts £150