Sugoi Performance Apparel to support Cannondale Factory Racing as official technical apparel sponsor
The Canadian brand made the announcement on Thursday, March 10.
As technical apparel sponsor to Cannondale Factory Racing, Sugoi Performance Apparel will be providing the squad’s Elite World Cup cross country athletes with an exclusive, one-of-a-kind kit—and the benefit of the industry’s latest advancements in racewear.
The Canadian brand made the announcement on Thursday, March 10.
This season, the world class ranks of Cannondale Factory Racing include former U23 world champion Manuel Fumic, Olympic bronze medalist Marco Fontana, reigning U23 world champion and two-time New Zealand U23 champion Anton Cooper, and Henrique Avancini, Brazil’s national champion and Pan American gold medalist. In developing their new kit, Cannondale athletes worked in tight collaboration with Sugoi designers, customizing an innovative, integrated three-piece kit for 2016, designed to perform under the toughest cross country race conditions.
Happy to announce @FactoryRacing partners with @sugoi_apparel as the technical riding gear… https://t.co/0gedXHbmh6
— CannondaleCFR (@FactoryRacing) March 10, 2016
The resulting 2016 Cannondale Factory Racing kit includes the Basesuit, constructed from a breathable base layer and lycra mesh short liner, with the brand’s supportive, cradle-designed Formula FXE chamois; Pro Over Short, featuring the comfort of laser-cut ventilation and a high degree of mobility, thanks to ample stretching; and finally, the Pro Vest Jersey, whose design makes use of highly-technical mesh fabric and magnetized openings, allowing access to the Basesuit’s stow pockets.
When the development process was finished, Cannondale Factory Team riders were pleased with the results.
“We wanted a race kit that was fast, sporty, technical, tough and stylish,” Fumic said, “while fitting the needs of the racer and the all-around rider. The CFR kit does all of this.” That Sugoi’s apparel was developed so closely in line with the needs—and the input—of Cannondale riders made it ideal for those athletes, of course. But it also helped to develop a higher, more innovative standard of cross country apparel, Sugoi representatives said, which is to the benefit of all XC riders.
“Working closely with the riders, Sugoi was able to invent the checklist for the ultimate XC kit,” said Teri Taylor, the brand’s director of product. “When creating apparel as technical as the CFR kit, having the input of the athletes who will be putting it to the test every day and through every race is invaluable.”
Cannondale Factory Racing riders will debut their new look on March 13th, when Cape Epic in Cape Town, South Africa sees Fumic and Avancini challenge the unforgiving, world-famous mountain bike stage race. After that, the focus shifts to the UCI mountain bike World Cup and world championships, before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games get underway in August.
For the cycling public, the CFR Race Kit will be available in spring 2017.
