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Race Tech

Pink race kit and orange training kit unveiled for Slipstream Sports in 2018

Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale kit launched

Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale’s (that’s a mouthful, isn’t it? – ed.) new kit is the first to break cover ahead of the 2018 season and features two distinctive colourways: a bright pink palette for races, with an orange alternative for the training kit.

The Slipstream Sports-owned team endured a difficult time at the back end of 2017, with the Cannondale-Drapac riders (as the team is currently known) competing in the Vuelta a Espana without a confirmed sponsor for 2018 following a late withdrawal of funding. However, EF Education First stepped into the breach at the eleventh hour, and this new kit is the first glimpse of how the team will look.

The race kit design features the distinctive pink colours of the incoming title sponsor over the shoulders, while the team’s classic argyle can be found on the sleeves and bib short cuffs – a nod to Slipstream’s heritage. It will continue to be made by POC in 2018, with branding of the other major sponsors (Drapac, Cannondale, New Balance and Tacx) also featuring.

Team EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale’s new race kit combines a bold pink design with Slipstream’s traditional argyle (Pic: Ian Walton/@the_musette_cc)

“From a design perspective, we’ve learned a thing or two about capturing peoples’ attention, no matter where they are in the world,” EF Education First worldwide creative director Joel Hladecek said at the launch.

“It’s one of the reasons we’ve come to use a shocking, disruptive pink as part of our brand. It’s universally exciting and always demands attention,” he explained. “We decided to employ the strength of that colour as a primary element in the design of the team kit, while I’m quite proud that [the sponsors] came together and harmonised our brands in a way that make this kit feel considered and intentional.”

Alongside the race design, a new training kit has also been launched. It swaps out the pink shoulders for a high-visibility orange and contrast paneling that POC CEO Jonas Sjögren says helps to “improve rider safety during a race or training rides on open roads.”

Meanwhile, Slipstream Sports founder and CEO Jonathan Vaughters is keen to stress that the personality of the team is retained in the new kit despite the obvious change in design.

The team will switch to an orange kit for training (Pic: Ian Walton/@the_musette_cc)

“From the inception of the team, we’ve always tried to push the boundaries of design and colour,” he said. “This kit is no exception. It is bold, but don’t lose track of the subtle argyle we’ve included. It’s been over a decade of argyle, and we are happy that will continue.”

After a number of years with black kit dominating the peloton, we’re looking forward to seeing the team’s bold design, unveiled at the Rouleur Classic, make its racing debut in the new year.

Website: POC

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