Last week, EF Pro Cycling revealed a first look at their all-new racing kit for the Giro d’Italia designed by none other than London skateboarding titans Palace. Now, however, we have a full look at the kit (as well as the promised accompanying casual apparel).
The gear looks absolutely nothing like traditional cycling equipment, and this was done on purpose. As cycling apparel manufacturer Rapha stated in their original announcement of the collection, Palace was chosen because they were “alien to [cycling’s] aesthetic, oblivious to its origins, and untrained in its traditions.” The collaboration transforms the rigid, performance-driven look of traditional race gear into something that would be at home at an acid house rave or an underground skate jam, utilizing eye-searing patterning and playful graphics to help the EF Pro team stand out above all. The casual wear, too, uses similar patterning and graphic prints (including a duck mascot seen on the collection’s wild time trial helmet) that make any single piece stand out in an outfit.
For example, the collection’s GORE-TEX jackets see traditional sponsorship placement on the front and sleeves of the shell jacket; however, the back features a truly massive Palace x Rapha Tri-Ferg atop a warped, check-patterned Cannondale logo print near the waist. While Palace is known for big prints and bold graphics, putting them on performance outerwear in such eye-catching is an even further leap in aesthetic bravado.
The collection also features more subdued pieces, like graphic hoodies, tees, and longsleeves, but even the collection’s oxford-style button-downs are branded like race gear. Rounding out the offerings are hats, a musette, and a water bottle to complete the look.
You can take a look at the Palace x Rapha x EF Pro Cycling racewear and casual pieces down below. They’re set to release to the public via the Palace webstore on Saturday, October 10th at 10:00 AM CDT, through Palace Japan at 11AM JST, and through WeChat at 11AM CST.
Palace x Rapha EF Pro Cycling Race Gear
Palace x Rapha EF Pro Cycling Casual Wear
