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news
Rapha releases Team Sky Victory Pro Team Jersey3Which clothing brand will sponsor Team Sky in 2017? - Your votes are in...
Earlier this week Rapha announced that it would be terminating its sponsorship of Team Sky at the end of 2016, so yesterday we asked you to vote for the clothing brand most likely to replace the London clothing firm in supplying team kit to Chris Froome and co in 2017.
- Rapha and Team Sky to part ways at end of 2016
We were overwhelmed with the response, so thanks to everyone who voted in our poll. We only did this for a bit of fun (some people took it way too seriously), but it caused quite a reaction, with loads of people wading in via social media to suggest a replacement for Rapha.
Anyway, the votes are in. Here they are:
- Assos 34.54%
- Castelli 18.50%
- adidas 16.23%
- Vulpine 8.98%
- Santini 7.80%
- X-Bionic 6.26%
- Craft 3.90%
- Etxeondo 2.81%
- Moa 1.00%
Yup that’s right, the majority of you voted for Swiss company Assos. We’re not sure if that’s because you want to be able to buy Team Sky branded Assos kit, or simply because you think it's high time Assos, previously one of the most highly regarding premium clothing brands, sponsored a WorldTour team. It does supply the Swiss national squad with team kit though, and it's a company known for innovation so would likely be able to meet Team Sky's requirements.
So who's going to put an actual bet on Assos sponsoring Team Sky in 2017? Anyone?
We also missed a couple of clothing brands in our shortlist. Our bad. Here are some other suggestions sent to us via Twitter
@roadcc @TeamSky there is no mention of Giordana
— Anvar P. (@anvar_p) November 5, 2015
@roadcc @TeamSky Victoria Secret?
— Nugget48 (@Nugget48) November 4, 2015
@roadcc @TeamSky why isn't Endura on the list?
— Type 1 Roadie (@neximus) November 4, 2015
@roadcc @TeamSky No option for Lidl cycle gear?
— Three From Leith (@threefromleith) November 4, 2015
David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes.
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21 comments
lin:k
X-Bionic would be cool...literally
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If anyone's listened to Bespoke it seems to drop a hint. Rob Hayles (best mates with Cavendish) says a prominent cyclist almost re-signed with a team because of what they will wear. Cavendish is pretty close to Specialized and with the Pinarello contract also up at the end of this year perhaps Sky will go Specialized for both bike & kit.
I know the poll was just for fun, but it is highly unlikely to be Assos. Their tagline is Sponsor yourself which is to do with the fact they do not sponsor any Pro Teams.
Not really bothered who sponsors Sky. The only negative result from some very classy kit over the past 3 years is that the 'string vest' ventilation system seems to have trickled down to our club kit supplier. Yeuch! It looks bad enough on Froome - but on blokes who break the Sunday ride for a bacon butty it's positively obscene.
Maybe Rapha can now return to sponsoring Condor? Their Rapha Condor Sharp kit was a classic. I should know. I have a full kit hanging in the wardrobe. I don't wear it. I just stroke it occasionally and weep for it's elegant beauty.
Its very flattering to be included in this. I've loved pro cycling since '86 and I actually sent a congratulatory email to Simon Mottram when they did the deal. It's my dream to have a pro team (partially borne out by Matrix Vulpine). But only a men's and womens team. We're definitely not going to be sponsoring Team Sky for lots of reasons:
We're not big enough and the financial and operational strain would be too great.
No women's team.
We've got lots of other interesting, more inclusive of all cyclists and fun fish to fry.
And the million pounds of investment is definitely not for a pro team! It's for what we set out in our business plan: Made in Britain, international expansion, more Womens specific gear.
So there! But thank you.
Maybe this is why Vulpine needed to raise all that cash?
Rapha started out with the merino wool business model, now everybody does it, e.g. Condor Cycles will replace them with Cafe du cycliste's and Velo Bici. Vulpine does a similar range when Rapha. Rapha will have to reinvent themselves.
Some professional stuff was done by a Italian company for Rapha, most likely the same manufacturer as used by Adidas. Now as far as I remember Adidas, Salomon, Mavic belong to the same company, so my bet would be Adidas, but it just as well be Mavic, just a branding decision, but with Adidas doing Team GB anyway....with Moa doing the actual production.
Lusso!
Endura?...
It has to be Crane from Aldi
I'd go for Primal Wear! (Top picture)
Bioracer, they make their skinsuits already do they not?
Honestly, I am disappointed Tudor Sports were not in the running
Oh, yes, Endura. I would have voted for them! Think their deal sponsoring Movistar runs out next year.
DHB would have been my choice
Maybe they can pickup Nike, Oakley, and Giro
I see what you did there. Spit it out why don't you. Backhanders are for Roger Federer.
Actually, Roger's backhander is rather weak for World Tour standards. That Swiss precission targeting was of a Warinka vintage.