Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Full Kit Ranker round 1: Your chance to vote for the greatest cycling jersey of all time

From vintage wool beauties to modern classics, here's the shortlist of 16 of our favourite cycling jerseys of all time, in round one of our quest to crown the best ever to be zipped up in the pro peloton.....

*VOTING FOR ROUND 1 IS NOW CLOSED... SEE YOU IN THE QUARTER FINALS!*

With no actual pro cycling going on at the moment, it's time to hark back to years gone by and reminisce over classic cycling moments - and if you consider yourself a bit of a fashionista like us lot here at road.cc, that also means fondly remembering some of the greatest cycling jerseys ever to grace the peloton... that's right, it's time for the road.cc Full Kit Ranker! 

24 of the best summer cycling jerseys
road.cc Quiz Corner - Test your French with these Tour de France phrases

While it's patently clear that 'the' greatest jersey of all time is the road.cc Classic Evo argyle-patterned jersey (buy another one here) the aim of this knockout tournament is to crown the best ever worn by a professional team. We've delved deep into cycling history and pulled out some absolute vintage beauties, while also adding in plenty of modern classics for good measure to devise a shortlist of 16... we had to make some brutal choices to cut our longlist down and we're under no illusions that some of your faves will be missing, but life (and the Full Kit Ranker) can be cruel. 

full kit ranker round 1 graphic.JPG

Here's how it works: below are eight separate polls, with two classic jerseys going head-to-head in each one - fixtures were made with a random number generator. You vote for your favourite on each of the eight polls, and we will gather the results on Friday at midday. The quarter finals will then commence on Sunday 5th April, then the semi finals and grand final (drum roll) take place over next week before the Full Kit Ranker's greatest cycling jersey of all time is decided. 

Without further ado, let's get voting and we'll see ya in the quarters! 

Fixture 1: Team Sky (2012) vs La Vie Claire (1985)

 

 

Poll not showing above? You're probably on the AMP page. Click here!

First up, it's that little British collective that now go by the name of Team Ineos and the legendary La Vie Claire of France. While we could have gone for any number of Team Sky jerseys, we've opted for the Adidas-branded version that Bradley Wiggins wore before he took the yellow jersey at the 2012 Tour de France on stage 7. Arguably 'the' jersey for MAMIL's to be seen in as they caught the cycling bug in 2012 due to Tour de France and Olympics fever. 

The distinctive La Vie Claire jersey is one of the most popular of all time, and we've gone for the version that Bernard Hinault wore on his way to Tour de France victory in 1985. It's based on the artwork of Piet Mondrian, and was made by Santini although originally designed by Benetton. 

Fixture 2: Molteni (1972) vs Garmin Cervelo (2011)

 

 

One of the most storied jerseys of all time, the Molteni strip of 1972 was donned by Eddy Merckx as he stormed to victory in the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Milan-Sanremo and Tour of Lombardy all in one dominant season. Molteni were Italian salami manufacturers based in Arcore near Milan, and although the team were Italian the Merckx Influence meant that most of the riders were Belgian from 1970 onwards.

Fast forward a few decades and we have Garmin Cervelo's limited edition Tour de France jersey from 2011. You might have guessed we've picked this one because we just love argyle, and the Castelli-made beauty was rocked by riders such as David Millar at the 2011 Tour. 

Fixture 3: Euskaltel-Euskadi (2004) vs Faemino–Faema (1970)

 

 

Famous for its all-orange kit, Spanish outfit Euskaltel-Euskadi were strong Tour de France contenders in 2004 in the form of Iban Mayo. it wasn't to be as he crashed out and the 'victory' went the way of a certain American, but Mayo still stood out for the stages he competed in before abandoning in the Pyrénées!

Another jersey to be worn by the legendary Eddy Merckx, 1970 was the year when the Belgian was again totally dominant, winning the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia Grand Tours and Paris-Roubaix. It's a shame he didn't spend much time in it as Merckx was invariably to be found in pink and yellow...

Fixture 4:  Brooklyn (1977) vs Mapei-GB (1996)

 

 

Not just a legendary part of cycling history but also film history, Brooklyn's famous jersey was worn by Roger De Vlaeminck in his 1977 Paris-Roubaix victory, and an earlier version also featured in the 1976 documentary film A Sunday in Hell. Though it has a distinctly American theme, the team was Italian and was sponsored by Italian gum manufacturer Brooklyn Chewing Gum. 

Another Italian collective that disbanded in 2002 and then morphed into what is now the Deceuninck–Quick-Step team, Mapei GB were one of the classiest outfits in the peloton during 1996, riding sleek Colnago frames and rocking this colourful jersey made by Sportful. It was worn by Swiss superstar Tony Rominger, who won the Giro d'Italia in 1995. 

Fixture 5: US Postal (2004) vs Jelly Belly Pool Gel (2005)

 

 

In a battle between two American teams, the US Postal offering might have a rather chequered history, but that doesn't mean it's not a classic. Worn by none other than Lance Armstrong on his way to his first Tour de France victory (now crossed off of course), Pearl Izumi began making the US postal jerseys before Nike took over from 2000 onwards. 

There are various funky Jelly Belly jersey designs out there and it's become a firm modern classic in its various iterations. This one from 2005 was worn by the likes of Jeremy Powers and was manufactured by Santini. 

Fixture 6: Bianchi-Pirelli (1958) vs EF Pro Cycling (2020)

 

 

This match-up pitches the oldest and newest jerseys on our list together, and the Bianchi strip from the 50's is the stuff of legends. You'll see plenty of imitations at L'Eroica events (maybe even a genuine one if someone has good connections or plenty of cash) and it was worn by Fausto Coppi in the latter stages of his career before his life was tragically cut short from contracting malaria in 1960. 

EF Pro Cycling's latest bright pink kit made by Rapha might divide opinion somewhat, but we reckon some of the team's uber-cool riders such as Lachlan Morton and Alex Howes rock it with ease on their gravel and bikepacking adventures.

Fixture 7: Canyon-SRAM (2020) vs Peugeot–Shell– Michelin (1984)

 

 

Another brand new kit to make the list and another from British brand Rapha, Canyon SRAM's distinctive jersey doesn't overdo it but is super colourful all the same, and is currently worn by the Barnes sisters and current German road champion Lisa Klein.

Peugeot's name graced the peloton in various iterations from 1901 all the way up to 1986 when they disbanded as Peugeot-Shell, and we've gone for the 1984 version as worn by the likes of Robert Millar, Stephen Roche and Sean Yates and manufactured by Santini... an absolute icon in all its various versions over the years, belonging to the most successful cycling team of all time according to cycleranking.com

Fixture 8: Renault-Elf (1983) vs Z-Tommaso (1990)

 

 

Renault lent their name to the pro peloton between 1978 and 1985, with the French team riding Gitane bikes and going by the name Renault–Elf by the time this jersey was launched in 1983. As worn by Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon and Greg LeMond, it's a true collector's item. 

The pop art-influenced Z-Tommaso jersey from 1990 was one of the first in the pro peloton to use modern sublimation fabric printing techniques, which means the designers went all out for the kit that Greg LeMond wore before he took yellow for his third Tour De France win. The big cartoon Z with the smoke cloud represented the team's main sponsor Z Vetements, a children's clothing manufacturer. 

Make sure to cast your votes for each match-up, discuss with your fellow Full Kit Rankers and of course, let us know what classic jerseys we've missed and how wrong we are in the comments below... who knows, we could even have enough for second tournament!

P.s. cheers to the Full-Kit W*nkers page for inspiring the name of this epic contest - part of Twitter folklore. 

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

Add new comment

49 comments

Avatar
CameronC | 3 years ago
0 likes

What happened to this classic ?? Surely should have been on the podium at least. Also the Banesto (Indurain), Mercatone Uno (Marco) and & 7-Eleven (Hampsten) should have been in any competition .

Prediction - La Vie Claire , Bianchi, Peugeot

 

Avatar
Nagai74 | 3 years ago
1 like

I always wanted this jersey.

Avatar
rowes | 3 years ago
0 likes

Ads kept on popping up just as I went to vote, but otherwise good fun. Mapei for the win. Though I think this could have been a 64 jersey race!

Avatar
Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
1 like

Hmmm...didn't Iban Mayo lose 4+ minutes on the 'Roubaix' stage of the 2004 TdF? In which case his abandonment was academic in terms of his winning - he was never going to from that day on.  Would also like to point out that he, like LA, was an EPO user, finally testing positive in 2007 from recollection.  I do like the Euskadi jersey though - but at 6ft 4 could never find one to fit me...  

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to Chris Hayes | 3 years ago
0 likes

Chris Hayes wrote:

Hmmm...didn't Iban Mayo lose 4+ minutes on the 'Roubaix' stage of the 2004 TdF? In which case his abandonment was academic in terms of his winning - he was never going to from that day on.  Would also like to point out that he, like LA, was an EPO user, finally testing positive in 2007 from recollection.  I do like the Euskadi jersey though - but at 6ft 4 could never find one to fit me...  

He was a favourite that year though, what was written above is a super shortened version of his TDF. Apologies if it was light on detail, including Mayo's preference for 'special ingredients' according to the results of his failed test... 

Avatar
Chris Hayes replied to Jack Sexty | 3 years ago
1 like

My apologies for being picky.... I'm still a bit of a touchy Lance fanboy - ever since he stole the World's from Indurain in Oslo (I was there).   2004 was a strange Tour.  Mayo won the Dauphine so was a favourite, but E-E hadn't even recce'd the cobbles and with Big George on the front of the Blue Train over those cobbles it was over before they saw an incline...

Great competition by the way... don't tell anyone but I've voted twice! 

Avatar
rjfrussell | 3 years ago
0 likes

Loving the title!

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to rjfrussell | 3 years ago
0 likes

Was worried it would get lost on some people  3 

Avatar
Nikolai | 3 years ago
1 like

So many left out...and some of the dodgiest included.  Is this another April's Fools?

Where is Carrera???

Avatar
Velovoyeur | 3 years ago
0 likes

What a good contest. I can't wait to see the outcome but, irrespective of the winner, the debate will go on forever and a day about which is the best team kit because there are some that weren't included.

What about TI-Raleigh, Rabobank, Panasonic or Castorama (although, I think this one is hideous)?

Avatar
mdavidford replied to Velovoyeur | 3 years ago
0 likes

Rabobank - meh. But the 'Team Blanco' kit would merit a place.

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
0 likes

All those were on the longlist if I remember right... we could definitely have another tournament just from suggestions in the comments, we were never going to please everyone!

Avatar
chrismayoh | 3 years ago
3 likes

Where's Mercatone Uno?

Avatar
Moist von Lipwig | 3 years ago
2 likes

One of my faves.

 

Avatar
lesterama replied to Moist von Lipwig | 3 years ago
0 likes

I bought a Superconfex Colnago Master last year - fulfilment of a childhood dream.

Avatar
Nagai74 replied to Moist von Lipwig | 3 years ago
0 likes

I remember buying this when I was about 16, 29 years ago. I was wearing it when I walked into a chinese takeaway and the chinese guy working there shouted 'SUPER CONFEX', and loved the jersey!

Avatar
peted76 | 3 years ago
2 likes

Can't believe you missed off the classic Halford Ever Ready.. 

Avatar
miles_from_anywhere replied to peted76 | 3 years ago
0 likes

Thats as 'terrible' as the Bad Banana Arsenal away kit!  1

Avatar
peted76 replied to miles_from_anywhere | 3 years ago
0 likes
miles_from_anywhere wrote:

Thats as 'terrible' as the Bad Banana Arsenal away kit!  1

GO WASH YOUR MOUTH OUT WITH SOAP!

Avatar
peted76 | 3 years ago
1 like

Putting Molteni against Garmin Cervelo in the first round was just cruel!

 

Avatar
ajft | 3 years ago
0 likes

Great, but you seem to have left off any way for people to actually vote, or you've done it in a way that isn't visible on all browsers

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to ajft | 3 years ago
0 likes

ajft wrote:

Great, but you seem to have left off any way for people to actually vote, or you've done it in a way that isn't visible on all browsers

Sorry about this, it's a google amp page issue. Here's how to fix it...

- Click the i (info) icon at top left of your screen

- This brings up a url - copy it, open your browser and paste the link. 

More on Google's support page here https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/7220196?p=AMP&visit_id=63721...

Avatar
millhouse | 3 years ago
0 likes

Reynolds (Indurain/Delgado)
La Redoute (Sherwen)
Europ Decor Merckx (circa 1983)
Cilo Aufina
St Raphael
Ford France (Vin Denson)
Actually Vin Denson looked good in any Jersey!

Avatar
handlebarcam | 3 years ago
4 likes

For the all-American fifth fixture you selected Jelly Belly to go up against US Postal? That's rather an odd choice given that the classic 7-Eleven kit exists, and someone won the Giro in it:

//www.cobocycling.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/9/3/93_2348.jpg)

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to handlebarcam | 3 years ago
3 likes

It was a random number generator, we didn't select the fixtures we just selected our 16 favourites. 

Avatar
natto | 3 years ago
2 likes

Real shame the Banesto kit isn't on the list - I might just be sentimental as it was the first jersy I had as a young teen following the tour. 
Some really hard choices on here! 

Avatar
pwake | 3 years ago
1 like

Disappointed to see that ANC-Halfords didn't make the cut...

Avatar
alanmc | 3 years ago
0 likes

Am I being thick, but I can't see how to vote ?

Avatar
kitsunegari replied to alanmc | 3 years ago
4 likes
alanmc wrote:

Am I being thick, but I can't see how to vote ?

No poll options for me either.

Avatar
Jack Sexty replied to kitsunegari | 3 years ago
0 likes

I believe this is a problem with 'amp' pages (referred straight from Google or Twitter)... for the polls to show just go into any browser that isn't chrome, go to road.cc and the polls should show. Failing that, desktop! Sorry for the inconvenience, out of our hands 👎

Pages

Latest Comments