As the Tour de France edges closer to its arrival in Paris in just a weeks time, 126 women of the pro peloton are looking forward to their chance to once again ride on the biggest stage in cycling as they will race the 2016 version of La Course. Taking place on the same 7km finishing circuit that the men’s sprinters will hit just before sunset the women will race back and forth along the relatively smooth cobbles of the Champs-Élysées as they take in the 89km UCI Women’s WorldTour race. To help promote the event and let cyclists show their support Rapha has made a special edition cap and a women’s t-shirt available to fans.
Even more likely to broaden support for pro women cyclists, in response to strong popular demand Rapha has expanded their Canyon//SRAM team replica kit to fit both men and women now. The greatly expanded range adds affordable replica jerseys based on their recent Core line and Pro Team/Souplesse baselayers for both men and women in the bright colorful design of the Canyon//SRAM team, plus a broader range of color options for women, new matching Core shorts, socks, caps, and more…
Rapha’s La Révolution collection is aimed at supporting women’s pro cycling in general, but of course bases itself on the same colors of their sponsored Canyon//SRAM. Available as a black semi-fitted cotton t-shirt for £30/40€/$50 and a black technical cotton cap for £20/25€/$30, if you order it asap it should arrive in time to cheer the women in on Saturday afternoon.
As for the Canyon//SRAM team gear, both men and women get the Core jerseys for £75/100€/$115 in the colorful team rainbow replica. The jerseys use Rapha’s simple pared down cut, but still high performing synthetic Core jersey that we got to try out back at the beginning of the year. We’ve been riding in the Core kit on occasion and while it doesn’t match the venting of their lighter weigh jerseys on the absolute hottest days, its fabric has worked well for us in a wide range of temperatures and still looks as good as new 5 months on.
For £45/50€/$70 women can now get the sleeveless Souplesse mesh baselayer, while men get the same tech and look in the comparable sleeveless Pro Team mesh baselayer.
It is a women’s team after all, so the ladies do get even more options to choose from. In addition to the four-color kit, Rapha has also made three more versions with the black base and a single highlight color. These are otherwise identical to the women’s Core jersey above, just for women looking for a touch of simplicity in either pink, teal, or navy. To go with Core jerseys, there are also a Canyon//SRAM pair of Core shorts available with either a pink or teal leg band accent for £80/95€/$120.
In addition to the new Core replica kit, women will still be able to buy the same Souplesse pro team jersey, bib shorts, and vest that the team races in, even though men will not get a Pro Team version.
Last but not least, matching team socks are available in each of the three colors for £15/17.50€/$20 in either short or regular lengths, and a technical cotton replica cap will also be available soon for £20/25€/$30.
