A replica of the bike to be ridden by the Rapha-Focus team in the 2012/13 season was displayed last week at the Eurobike show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, just weeks before the Rapha Super Cross series begins in England.
The flagship of the Focus Mares CX range, sporting a special edition Fizik Arione saddle with Rapha’s signature pink and cream stripes, and pink handlebar tape, this team replica machine is part of the German brand’s model year 2013 offering.
It will be ridden by Rapha’s recently announced roster for the coming season, one comprised of three US men and three European women, each with ambitions to qualify for their national teams and contest the 2013 world championships in Kentucky.
Rapha’s Super Cross series looks set to be a more light-hearted affair, with the exception of competition in the invitation-only elite men’s series, where the Hope Factory Racing team of National Trophy Series champion, Paul Oldham, will defend their title.
Three rounds of the Rapha Super Cross series will be held, starting at Broughton Hall, Skipton, North Yorks, on Saturday October 20, before moving to Miserton Hall, Lutterworth in Leicestershire on Saturday October 27.
The final round will be held at London’s Alexandra Palace on Sunday October 28. Entries for the senior class have already sold out.
A wide programme is offered, headlined by the invitation-only elite series, and including categories for riders under 10 to veterans, as well as a women’s category.
‘Clydesdales’, riders over 90kg, can compete for an additional prize by eating the most frites or waffles, beating other Clydesdales, or more prosaically by winning their category (junior, senior, veteran etc).
The emphasis will be on fun, with Rapha promising Belgian beer, ‘Belgian-ish’ frites, live music, a ‘tequila shortcut’ , and, new for 2012, the mysterious ‘wall of foam’.
Entry for spectators is free. Pies waffles, and ‘other suitably heart warming fare’ will be sold.
