Cannondale-Garmin unveils new ‘greenargyle’ kit at team launch
In New York on Wednesday, Cannondale-Garmin presented the kit its 2015 squad would be wearing this year. Hyped with the hashtag #greenargyle, which fuses the signature colour of team tech sponsor Cannondale with the pattern associated with the Slipstream Sports, the kit lived up to the hype. Both element are present, but in slightly muted forms when compared with the team clothing of 2014’s Cannondale and Garmin-Sharp.
In August, the two WorldTour teams announced that they would be merging for 2015. In November, the new lineup was announced, which included Ryder Hesjedal, who as been with Slipstream since 2008. The Victoria native wasn’t present at Wednesday’s launch as he was preparing for the start of his season at the Tour Down Under. Riders Andrew Talansky, Ben King, Dan Martin, Davide Formolo, Joe Dombrowski and Ted King modelled the new clothing. The kit is by Castelli, not Sugoi, which not only outfitted Cannondale in 2014, but like the Bethel, Conn.-based bicycle company, is owned by Montreal-based Dorel Industries.
“This year represents the biggest step forward in Castelli’s pro equipment since we started with Slipstream in 2011,” said Andrea Peron, Castelli’s race performance director. “We’ve concentrated our efforts on improving comfort and aerodynamics with a new short, and making sure the team has a competitive advantage in any adverse weather conditions. There are 11 new garments in the team’s equipment line-up, each one the result of development with the riders and staff as well as Castelli’s internal research.”
Cannondale-Garmin riders will wear a new short, the Free Aero Race bib short. After 3 years in development, Castelli’s new top-of-the-line race short is said to represent a significant increase in muscle support and comfort. It’s also undergone wind tunnel tests that show a 10 watt savings at 50 km/h. The short has been tested with selected riders since last June.
The team’s hot weather Climber’s jersey has been updated with the fit and cut of the team’s Aero Race jersey. This will give an aero edge every time the road goes upward or the mercury soars.
For cold and wet racing, there’s the Gabba line. The new Gabba Light is for milder conditions. The Fawesome vest that uses the Gabba construction front with a Nano Flex water-repellent back in a vest construction for high intensity racing in moderate rain or cool weather. For colder weather, the long sleeve Gabba that gives aero protection in the most extreme conditions. The fully waterproof Gabba-style rain jacket, called the Tempesta jacket, help to manage the water from the worst downpours.
Finally, riders will be doing their winter training in Castelli’s Sorpasso bib tight and Trasparente wind jersey.
