For the last few seasons Rapha Focus’ star crosser Jeremey Powers has been racing in the US National Champ’s stars & stripes. But this season after Stephen Hyde won the slippery ice-covered Hartford championship, Powers is back racing in an update to the Rapha pink, red, blue & black livery he wore to his first national’s win back in 2012. So Rapha is putting out a new Cross team collection so you can ride in the team stripes as well.
Fellow team member Ellen Noble won’t be running the kit in most races this year though. She took another US U23 championship and will be ripping up the World Cup U23 women’s scene in red, white & blue if all things go according to plan. But new young gun on the team Spencer Petrov will join JPow in Rapha stripes.
The full Rapha Cyclocross kit includes race jerseys in both short & long sleeves, a long sleeve training jersey, plus a cap, snood/buff, socks, a fan t-shirt and our favorite the merino scarf.
Rapha Super Cross Jersey
For early season racing you can go with the short sleeve Super Cross Jersey that gets the same classic Team stripes from Rapha Focus’ first cyclocross team back in 2010. The $140/100€ jersey is essentially a team replica 100% polyester Core Jersey.
Rapha Cross Long Sleeve Race Jersey
Then when the weather starts to get serious, break out the Cross Long Sleeve Race Jersey in either $195/165€ men’s or $185/160€ women’s cuts. This one gets the same design on top of either the men’s Pro Team Aero Jersey or women’s Souplesse Jersey. Both get a padded right shoulder for portaging your bike on the long run ups and stick with a classic 3+1 pocket layout for the stretchy polyester/lycra blend jersey.
Rapha Cross Long Sleeve Jersey
The $185/160€ black Cross Long Sleeve Jersey makes for a good training top or for those looking to represent the team on a more low-key level. It is made of a more versatile & insulating 64/36 polyester/merino blend with a high cut neck, and Team stripes around the collar & cuffs. The merino blend jersey still gets a padded shoulder and 3+1 pockets.
Rapha Cap, Snood, Socks & Tee
A $30/25€ cotton cycling cap, a $20/17.50€ PrimaLoft seamless snood/buff, or a pair of $30/25€ tall Pro Team synthetic wicking socks can all do double duty racing cross yourself or showing your loyalties at the races. Or just opt for a $50/40€ (yikes!) black t-shirt. OK, that one is maybe less functional. What good cross race happens in t-shirt weather? Oh well.
Rapha Merino Scarf
We’ve said it before, but the expensive $75/55€ merino scarf (actually cheaper than last year’s) is actually a solid buy and the piece of team replica/supporter kit that I wear the most. Sure, it ain’t cheap, but it keeps my neck warm on the start line or just walking around town, and even though it is clearly a Team stripes design, it looks good off the bike and away from the cross course.
All of the kit is available from Rapha.cc now, or feel free to click below to get the story behind the gear. Remember, Rapha is all about telling stories.
