There was certainly no mistaking team EF – Education First Pro Cycling’s bright pink and purple kits in the peloton. But for the upcoming Giro d’Italia, the team wanted to make sure their usual kit wasn’t confused for the race leader’s Maglia Rosa – the pink jersey worn by the overall leader. That seems to have given rise to the question, what would stand out more than hot pink? This is where Palace Skateboards steps in for a very unique collaboration between cycling, skate, and fashion.
On their bodies, the collaboration is between Rapha and Palace Skateboards with a limited edition capsule collection that is completely bonkers. It’s already setting the internet on fire, which means it’s working. With a look that is certainly disruptive, the goal was to partner with “a company that is alien to cycling’s aesthetic, oblivious to its origins, and untrained in its traditions.”
Unveiled during the team presentation, the team kit includes the Pro Team Aero Jersey and Pro Team Bib Shorts II plus special edition socks, caps, and musettes. There will also be a Pro Team Training jersey, and women’s version of the Pro Team Bib Shorts and Pro Team Jersey . Off the bike, there’s also a collection of casual wear including a t-shirt, long sleeve t-shirt, cap, hoodie, oxford shirt, and a Palace Gore-Tex jacket – all of which will be available to the public, but in extremely limited numbers.
We’re told it will be offered first to RCC members from Rapha and to the general public from Palace directly, but details on pricing or availability date aren’t yet public.
On their bike, the look is a little more subdued, but still just as entertaining. Cannondale has stickered up SuperSix EVO, SystemSix, and SuperSlice TT bikes with a graphics package that matches the Rapha collection.
As wild as it is, apparently, there are more surprises in store for the TT stage which is pretty exciting – given the much bigger canvases to work with.
Until then, you’ll just have to voice your opinion of the unorthodox kit on the internet, and you know, tell those dang kids to get off your lawn! Check out the links below for more info on how this collaboration came to be.
