No one likes to spy it on the road, but Rapha is hoping riders will want to wear it on their backs. The new Rapha Crit Collection matches circuit racing specific reworkings of the Pro Team shorts, Flyweight Jersey and Aerosuit. Each rendered in an iridescent oil-spill style print.
Typically taking place on technical city centre circuits, criterium races only last for an hour or so. Ensuring that the action starts straight away, the tight courses add a second element of difficulty.
With riders required to sprint out of every corner, or risk being dropped, it’s one of the most physically demanding styles of racing.
Employing several features aimed squarely at racers, on the backs of both the jerseys and speed suit is a mesh panel overlaying the pockets.
Designed to let you slip in a race number it’s both neater and more aerodynamic than pinning one in place. And as a bonus won’t require you to poke holes in your kit either.
A nod to the fact that many criteriums take place at night, reflective logos are printed onto each of the items. Aiming to keep riders visible in the darkness these should be useful for racing at night, or rolling home post-race.
Cut longer in the legs than the brand’s standard shorts or aerosuit both bottom halves are tailored to riding in hot conditions and aim to provide maximum ventilation.
With each item limited to 300 pieces worldwide there’s also a less aggressively fitted Flyweight Jersey in the same print.
Available for both men and women it does without the race-number holster.
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Rapha Crit
Men’s and Women’s Crit Flyweight jersey, £100
Men’s Crit Pro Team aerosuit, £230
Men’s Crit Pro Team jersey, £120
Men’s Crit Pro Team bibshorts, £170
