The racing cap is alive and well, according to leading UK based team Plowman
Craven Evans Cycles, despite recent reports in the cycling press that the UCI’s
decision to make helmets obligatory has killed them off.

Tour of Britain

The November issue of ProCycling described the once mandatory casquette as
“rarer in races than fans at the Vuelta”, but Plowman Craven Evans
Cycles disagree, having handed out almost 8,000 of their distinctive pink caps
during the season.

Riders have been giving out caps at races throughout the year and every week
the team’s website receives numerous requests to send them far and wide.
So popular are the classic Impsport caps that requests for them have been received
from as far away as Europe, America, New Zealand and even Africa.

“While it’s true to say that since the UCI ruling caps are now
worn more by fans than riders, they are still as popular as ever, maybe even
more so!” commented Plowman Craven Evans Cycles team boss Simon Barnes.
“The current trend is for retro gear and it’s fantastic that fans
are keeping a tradition alive and rejecting the ubiquitous baseball cap. And
of course riders still wear them under their helmets and on the podium.”

The distinctive pink Plowman Craven Evans Cycles caps were certainly a feature
of the Tour of Britain where spectators along the route wore them with enthusiasm,
often rejecting the red and white French style beanie hats handed out by tour
sponsor e.on.

Not got one?
Fans of the team can still get hold of a free cap by visiting their website
at www.plowmancravenevanscycles.com.

An Ugandan fan