With Christmas a week away, and the two bleakest months of the year to follow, it’s fair to say that the worst of the winter weather is imminent.

We’ve called in host of garments from London brand, Rapha, whose seemingly unstoppable rise has taken them to cycling’s elite UCI WorldTour as kit supplier to Britain’s Team Sky.

With Sir Dave Brailsford’s men likely to head for sunnier climes in the weeks ahead, both for training in Mallorca, and for racing at the season-opening Tour Down Under, we’ll flatter ourselves with the thought that we’re likely to face more demanding conditions than Froome, Wiggins, Thomas et al, until the Spring Classics at least.

The garments we’ve called in for test reflect this: a lined bib-short, long-sleeved merino jersey, and collar among them. There’s a jacket too, knee warmers, and leg warmer.

Let’s take a detailed look at each before the serious business of testing begins.