on there website today and twitter. this will stir the rapha haters intresting as addias providing the kit that won so many medals in recent years

Rapha Performance Roadwear will become the official clothing provider to Sky Pro Cycling from January 2013. Rapha will provide a complete range of clothing and accessories to dress Team Sky – the world’s highest ranked team – both on and off the bike.

As part of the four-year agreement, Rapha will develop a full collection of top-end, high-performance racing and training kit and off-bike dress for both riders and staff. The Rapha offering will also extend to the best selection of riding and fan wear for supporters of Team Sky.

Simon Mottram, Founder and Chief Executive of Rapha says:


“We are delighted that, after only eight years as a business, we have been chosen by Team Sky, the world’s number one team, as their partner. We share their passion for performance and team ethic and are enthusiastic to inspire and engage a wider fan base around the globe.”

Dave Brailsford, Team Principal of Sky Pro Cycling, says:


“Team Sky has achieved this year’s level of success because of a strong and steady vision to find improvement at every level to help our riders win. I see Rapha joining us next year as another step in that direction. They share our ambition and vision for cycling.”

We have a Pro Cycling thread for this. If you find your thread removed the first time please take that as a hint that there's a more appropriate place for your post.

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Full steam we go against the odds
Headfirst we go against the grain
Against the odds, against the grain
We go against the odds, against the grain

The smell of Pretentious beards. pipes .fixie bikes and smart trousers you can cycle to work in.
This could be a revolution in racing bike wear. Side burns /Mutton chops will be a leagal requirement.
as will be the use of a trouser press on the tour bus.

Already mentioned (and discussed) in the PRO thread.

Also this:



Sky AND Rapha together?
A monotone team focused on singular domination and goals as they achieve victory through juggernaut like methods?
An elitist clothing company that is most famous for their single-colour designs with that prominent arm band on the left arm?
A marketing team that only shows white people looking dispassionate as they roam through "unchartered" territories, documenting their distanced engagement with their surroundings?

I know of one historical figure that would approve.

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Exp001

Good on them I say.

For a business to of battled through & evidently come out of the worst economic downturn ever witnessed doing well then I applaud them. Well done Rapha.

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www.freddibnahheritagecentre.co.uk

Surely this applies to most of their competitors' marketing teams too?

Well done Rapha! A victory for British cycling IMO!!!

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2010 Bianchi 928 SL / SRAM Red, Easton EA90 SLX

Member of C.S. Grupetto

A victory for Chinese manufacturing. Not sure how it's a victory for British Cycling as they will be riding Adidas.

As for the initial post, how many medals have sky won?

Will British Cycling continue to wear Adidas after 2012?
(This four year deal will run through 2016, and I would not be surprised if BC gets a Rapha deal too.)

It is btw known that (Exte) Ondo made the super Adidas skin suits for Sky and Team GB. Sky's standard kit has been made by MOA/Nalini if I'm not mistaken.

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

Sorry, thought I'd made that clear. British Cycling will still be wearing adidas next year.

Ok. Thanks.

(Always thought that the Stella McCarney design for team GB was more Rapha-like than their former design.)

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

Stella Mcartney designed for the BOA rather than for the cycling team specifically.

Indeed.

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Bianchi-Campagnolo

I thought it was Santini who made the Adidas-labelled stuff for Sky?

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12 Canyon Aeroad CF 9.0 ETE
12 Canyon Ultimate AL
11 Cervélo P2

Current Sky kit is made by Nalini

The replica kit is mostly cheapy Nalini, really not worth the price they ask for

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Hucken The Fard Up !

Sky confirmed to ride with Rapha for next season.

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Colnago extreme-C Scott Addict SL