Rapha commemorates the 50th anniversary of Tommy Simpson’s 1965 world road race championship win with a special edition jersey and matching cap.
One of Britain’s most successful professional cyclists and the country’s first international cycling star, Tommy Simpson won a handful of Classics and though he missed out on a Tour de France stage victory, he did wear the yellow jersey in 1962, the first British rider to do so.
Three years later he became Britain’s first ever UCI World Road Race Champion, winning in San Sebastian, Spain. Simpson’s impressive feats and attacking riding style won him many fans, and he also added the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award to his collection of successes during a career that was cut tragically short on Mont Ventoux.
Rapha celebrates the anniversary of that 1965 world championship road race with a special edition short sleeve jersey and matching cycling cap. Some proceeds from the sale of the jersey and cap will be donated to the Simpson family for their work to maintain the Tom Simpson memorial on Mont Ventoux
The Rapha Tom Simpson Pro Team Aero Jersey features a design inspired by the Great Britain team kit of the 1960s with – Simpsonissimo (a headline of the Miroir Sport issue from October 18, 1965, a month after his World Championship victory) and Tom Le Plus Fort – headlines of the day – featured on the reverse panel.
Red stitching is a nod to his combative riding style. A bespoke graphic symbolises Simpson’s mining heritage and there are visual references to the world champion stripes and team sponsor. The inner collar is finished with the quote: “A glorious mix of courage and cunning.”
The jersey is based on the regular Rapha Aero jersey with a high-stretch fabric designed to be skin tight and is treated with Coldblack technology. There are mesh panels for ventilation and three rear pockets. It’ll cost £130 and come in sizes from XS to XXL.
If you’re going to buy the jersey, you have to buy the matching Rapha Tom Simpson Cap. It features a similar design and colourway to the jersey and is made from a lightweight water resistant and windproof fabric. One size fits all and it costs £25.
32 thoughts on “Tommy Simpson remembered with Rapha special edition jersey and cap”
This is a really smart
This is a really smart jersey! The only thing that’s a no-no for me (apart from the price) is the white.
It’ll look great until it’s got a big muddy puddle streak up the back, and runs in the wash.
If the white and black were reversed, I’d consider it more.
It looks really nice but they
It looks really nice but they should have released it earlier this year like when the sun was shining maybe? Good to see the proceeds going to the Simpson family for the upkeep of the memorial on Mont Ventoux.
Yep, that is a splendid
Yep, that is a splendid jersey.
Can I justify £130? Probably, as it’s for a good cycling cause!
I wonder if anyone could
I wonder if anyone could indulge me and figure out how much from each jersey sale will actually be donated?
No mention of amphetamines
No mention of amphetamines and alcohol? Doping you know…
#omerta
You mean Tom doped? I’d never
You mean Tom doped? I’d never heard that.
Anyway I’d be having one if it was a bit ( a lot) less pro/cat one fit. But then I’m not Rapha target audience.
1961BikiE wrote:You mean Tom
I could be wrong but it’s the reason he passed away on Mont Ventoux, that and the arduous climb just took it’s toll. His last words are pure class and why he garnered some much respect and love:
“put me back on my bike”
Always the fighter. As for the jersey, I love it and will consider a purchase.
Like it…would’ve liked it
Like it…would’ve liked it more if they hadn’t brought it out at the end of summer 🙁
See irony just don’t work on
See irony just don’t work on social media.
Just out of curiosity, anyone
Just out of curiosity, anyone know if Adam Yates is the first Briton to raise his hands in San Sebastian since Simpson?
BTW, nice job by Rapha.
Generally love the design of
Generally love the design of this, well done Rapha, and a lot better than their last effort the data print or whatever it’s called.
Not sure about the “SIMPSONISSMO” wording, seems to be an Italian slant on a rider based in France and loved by the French for being the English gentlemen.
usedtobefaster wrote:Not sure
I’d read the article then.
Perfectly targeted.
The inner
Perfectly targeted.
The inner collar should be finished with the quote: “A glorious mix of marketing and cynicism.”
crikey wrote:Perfectly
…if it wasn’t for the fact all profits go to charity.
Nice try though.
Quote:
…if it wasn’t for
According to the Rapha website: “A portion of the proceeds from the Rapha Tom Simpson Jersey and Cap will be donated to the Simpson family and used for maintenance of the Tom Simpson memorial on Mont Ventoux.”
So not all of the profits. I’d be very interested to find out exactly what portion. Rapha? Road.cc journalists?
picko wrote:Quote:
According
I’m sure its enough for the Simpson family to be involved with the project. What are you doing to help fund the memorial?
muppetteer wrote:picko
I’m sure its enough for the Simpson family to be involved with the project. What are you doing to help fund the memorial?— picko
Nothing. And that has precisely nothing to do with the point being made. Use of the name will increase jersey sales for Rapha compared to a jersey without the name. I wouldn’t buy a jersey at £120 with Tom’s name on it if only 20p of that was going to the family – it would be unfair. Which is why I asked the question about what the portion was. I’m not suggesting this is the case and I’m not a Rapha hater – I have plenty of their kit and am very happy with it. But there simply isn’t anything which lets potential buyers like me make that judgment, so I think it’s a fair question.
You say ‘you’re sure it’s enough for the family to be involved’ – have you got any information you can share then?
Quote:…if it wasn’t for the
Which makes precisely jeff all difference to the fact that this is perfectly marketed and is a triumph of marketing and cynicism.
The fact that all the profits go to charity is an integral part of that.
Continental racing heritage?
Brit icon?
Retro appeal?
Bespoke graphic?
Rapha charging £130 for a jersey that costs about £20 to make, plus the optional hat at £25?
Sad.
So in 50 years will we see an
So in 50 years will we see an Armstrong Jersey?
Fickle doesn’t come close.
New here, but I have read many threads on this site. And, according to many, doping is doping and as such should not be tolerated or celebrated, unless of course, it is, Simpson or Pantani.
Yogic Cyclist wrote:So in 50
Doping is top level sport, especially cycling, swimming, and athletics. The media create the good v evil script (a good script always sells) – don’t fall for it! Either love the sport or don’t, but don’t fall into to trap of thinking your heroes are clean!
Don’t like.
Don’t like.
it is quite interesting how
it is quite interesting how hot and bothered some folks can get over a cycling top.
On the one hand, “put me back
On the one hand, “put me back on the bike” is epic and tragic. Alternatively, it’s a sign of being so crazed on amphetamines that you kill yourself. A bit hard to celebrate this.
MNgraveur wrote:On the one
It’s also a sign of what great creative journalism can do.
Simpson never uttered these words, they were created by a journalist. As was common at that time journalists used a fair bit of artistic license to describe events (before the use of multiple TV camera bikes / helicopters etc it was hard to cover every aspect of the race). The classic line was an invention, but what an impact it has made in cementing Simpson’s image / legacy.
sorebones wrote:MNgraveur
The quote comes from Sydney Saltmarsh, a journalist for The Sun, who was following the race from a bar.
William Fotheringham’s book “Put Me Back On My Bike” is a biography of Tom, with a fair and unbiased investigation into his death.
As for the jersey, I wouldn’t buy one until Rapha release the exact percentage of sales that go towards the memorial fund, considering the price is at least double what other jerseys of similar quality cost.
zanf wrote:
As for the
And your list of jerseys of similar quality at half the price or less?
Along with telling us what Rapha kit you own, which clearly you must do in order to make a comparison.
As for the memorial fund, yes it would be nice to know, but they haven’t said it was a charity jersey, just that they would be making a donation. They’re a commercial company, and they have a fair record of supporting and sponsoring teams and events to promote cycling.
“Simpsonissimo” ??
Oh dear.
“Simpsonissimo” ??
Oh dear. 8|
Nice design, I like it.
Nice design, I like it.
Who’d wear a predominantly
Who’d wear a predominantly white jersey? Totally unpractical for sweaty, sticky, oily mitts. Never mind the absurd price. The Rapha Sale section is still full of white jerseys. Wonder why.
korblimey wrote:Who’d wear a
I generally keep a high level of hand hygiene, so a white top isn’t an issue.
And anyway most are sold out now, so I’ll doubt you’ll find them in the sale section.
Got to say I just love that
Got to say I just love that top. One for xmas pressies I think
Completely sold out now – all
Completely sold out now – all sizes gone.
Coming to an ebay near you for twice the price.