Gear News

Rapha reveal striking kit for Canyon SRAM women’s team

British firm will provide new women's team with eye-catching kits in 2016

Canyon SRAM are looking to make a big impact on the women’s road team in 2016, and they’ve made an impressive start, brining two of the most en vogue brands in cycling right now on as title sponsors, and unveiling this brand new kit from Rapha.

Rapha have put their collective heads together, and made full use of their R&D department, to produce a kit aimed fully at the requirements of women’s racing.

The range will consist of a wide variety of kit for all conditions, from deep winter jerseys to super light kit 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 information from Rapha’s past experience providing kit to professional cycling teams. The TT suit has been proven in the wind tunnel 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.

Ulsan Coyle, Rapha’s designer, is understandably proud of the kit, and explained the ethos behind the design saying “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 re-coloured, or electrocuted it, to make it more striking.”

As you can see in the pictures, the team have a fleet of Canyon Aeroad bikes detailed up in matching colour schemes and equipped with SRAM’s latest Red eTap wireless electronic groupset, so the team won’t be left wanting for anything in the equipment stakes.

For anyone looking to get their hands on the kit, Rapha say a women’s version will be available in the spring, with men’s sizings to follow in 2017. Check it out on the Rapha website, or find out more about Canyon SRAM on their site.