So we thought we’d take a look back at some of the bikes that have graced the pro peloton over the last 20 years and pick out some of our personal favourites. You might think that, at the very top level, all pro bikes are basically a couple of expensive carbon triangles with some identikit bling wheels and finishing kit and are pretty homogenous and interchangeable. However, a bit like that girl you never had the courage to date but you later found was keen on you, some machines just stick in your mind and evoke a wistful smile in a quiet moment!
We have limited the list to road bikes not TT bikes and our choices are entirely subjective but the benchmark is this: did I genuinely consider selling a car and/or kidney in order to get my hands on one at the time!
1998 Bianchi Mega Pro XL Reparto Course (Mercatone Uno)
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2003 Giant TCR (Once)
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2012 Cannondale Supersix Evo (Liquigas Cannondale)
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2009 Focus Izalco (Milram)
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2012 Orbea Orca Gold (Euskatel Euskadi)
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2011 Colnago C59 (Europcar)
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2011 BMC Impec
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However, every now and again a team designs a jersey that has a little more too it than just being a lycra billboard for a bunch of brands you never really heard of. Probably a bank. No I think it’s an energy drink. Wait, a flooring company? Oh, right. In other words, a jersey you might actually wear.
We feel a little uncomfortable riding in team kits at KOMRAID – feels like turning up to play five a side in a current Real Madrid kit but, from a purely design perspective, we like to apply the acid test to new kits, namely, could it become a classic in 10 years time and would we then wear it?
With this in mind we have had a think about the jersey’s we remember watching racing round Europe this century, mentally erased the horrific abominations (Polti, Kelme, Casino etc) and from the rest selected what we think managed to rise to the top, style wise. This is purely subjective and we’ve probably forgotten a couple of classics but see what you think.
Mapei 2002
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Bianchi 2003
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HTC High Road 2011
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Saeco Cannondale 2003
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Euskaltel Euskadi 2008
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Garmin Cannondale 2016
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Team Sky 2016
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BMC 2017
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The Col de Turini is a high mountain pass in the Alps in the department of Alpes-Maritimes, France. It’s right up there on our list of favourite climbs. At an average gradient of 5%, it’s not too steep but it’s 27 kilometres long. 27km!
As a climb it’s got everything. In some places the road meanders lazily along the side of the mountain and in others, it offers tight switchbacks with shear drops. Wide open views of the surrounding Cols are present for most of the climb before the road enters dense pine forests towards the summit.
Don’t underestimate the length of this climb. You’ll need to ensure you’ve got enough fuel onboard before you start your ascent. Unless you’re an über climber, you’ll have anywhere between 1hr 15mins to 1hr 45mins of climbing ahead of you. After you’ve started the climb, there’s nowhere to refuel until you summit. You’ll be in a world of hurt if you hit the wall on the way up.
At the top you’ll find a handful of small restaurants. Grab some cake and coffee before you descend.
We climbed the Col de Turini in mid-April on a beautifully sunny day. Yet, there was still snow at the top. The difference in temperature at sea level in Nice at the start of our ride compared to the temperature at the top was unbelievable. The descent down the other side of the mountain was, for the large part, shaded… and freezing. Layer up and stay warm.
We can’t emphasise how amazing this climb is. Make the effort to do it, you will not be disappointed.
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