Desire: Katusha – the pro-peloton veteran

Desire: Katusha – the pro-peloton veteran

As a sponsor to the pro-peloton for over 10 years, Katusha are shaking things up and we like it.

Allure Desire Gear Isreali Start-Up Nation K Illusion Katusha Katusha-Alpecin Pro Cycling Rouleur

Katusha have had their fair share of time in the pro peloton. Despite over ten years honing and developing exceptional kit for some of the best athletes in the world, we think it would be fair to say that they have remained humble in their own personal pursuit of perfection.

Tea anyone? SS19

Katusha’s fade fascination


We’ve featured kit from each of their collections in Desire for the past few years and some distinctive traits have stood out for us. Firstly, the material choices are always second to none, feel premium, comfortable and performance-led. Secondly, the designs have been understated, favouring subtle patterns and pastel tones over garish colour blocks or fluoro yellow.

For spring-summer – highly relevant, as peering outside would reveal that it is sunny and 23 degrees in the UK – Katusha have gone bold and we’re okay with it.

The hero pieces for this season – LANDSCAPE for ladies and K ILLUSION for men – step away from their block colour roots and introduce a geometric diversion, full of energy that they describe as ‘high street styling’.

The outfits take differing inspiration for the ladies and for the gents. K Illusion, as the name might suggest, embraces geometry and is perhaps reminiscent of Psychiatrist Lionel Penrose’s triangle illusion or the impossible stair (you’ve seen Inception right?). Instead of searching for reality or some other arbitrary pursuit, Katusha hides it’s brand ‘K’ in plain sight.

Landscape becomes pattern


For the women, the landscape itself becomes the muse, with the rise and fall, twists and turns of the road dictating the pattern. If you’ve ever happened upon a topographical map, you’ll notice the beauty in the detail. Densities of dots growing and shrinking to explain the landscape from a birds-eye view (see Tim O’Rouke‘s Road Art collection for inspiration). Certainly a poignant commentary on the development and testing hours that go into each and every product.

Why cover up when your base-layer looks that good?


The ‘lightweight’ jersey has become a thing in recent years, with fabric and manufacturing technology advancing to a point when the structure of a product is supported even with minimal bulk. As you would expect from a high-end apparel brand, let alone one so interwoven with the pro-peloton, materials are exquisite and cut is refined. This is pro-level gear and you’ll know it as soon as you slip it on.

Though some of you may retort that ‘you can see my body through this’ we would argue that it’s a great excuse to show off the jazzy base-layer beneath.

Black shorts, but with much more about them


To round off the collection, Katusha has also refined it’s bib shorts. ICON, for men, comes with design-matched grippers and straps, maintaining consistency without overcomplicating things. ALLURE for women does similar, the dot pattern stretching up the cross-backed shorts highlighting the female-specific accommodations made to the bibs to ensure comfort for its wearer. The attention to detail across the range is impressive, but we shouldn’t be surprised. With the designs done in Switzerland, manufacturing in Italy and a decade of WorldTour development behind them, Katusha should have some of the best apparel in the industry.

It’s certainly worth noting that is you’re a true style aficionado, you’ll opt for the complete outfit, jersey through gloves. Do it like the pros do or not at all, we say (sometimes). For more on Katusha’s new range, head over to katusha-sports.com

This jersey will get you spotted

You’ve got to go for the complete outfit

Stylish bib shorts too
 

 

The post Desire: Katusha – the pro-peloton veteran appeared first on The world's finest cycling magazine.

Allure Desire Gear Isreali Start-Up Nation K Illusion Katusha Katusha-Alpecin Pro Cycling Rouleur

READ MORE

‘Everyone kept believing’ - Team Picnic-PostNL and the power of perseverance

‘Everyone kept believing’ - Team Picnic-PostNL and the power of perseverance

Casper van Uden’s victory on stage four of the Giro d’Italia is a welcome result for the team who are fighting to avoid relegation and...

Leer más
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage five preview: An explosive finale

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage five preview: An explosive finale

A tricky uphill run to the line  and the preceding climbs will make this stage difficult for the sprinters, favouring the more versatile riders with...

Leer más
Liv AlUla Jayco

The future is purple: behind the scenes at Liv AlUla Jayco

Liv AlUla Jayco, Australia’s only top-division women’s team, are ready to take on the world. Rouleur gets in the team car at their home race and discovers why...

Leer más
Mark Donovan

From WorldTour rejection to Giro d'Italia stage hunting: Mark Donovan is back at cycling's top table

The Q36.5 rider has had a near-three-year hiatus from cycling's Grand Tours, but now riding better than ever he's once again looking to be in...

Leer más
Mads Pedersen

Mads Pedersen is at the peak of his powers

A second stage win and a return to the maglia rosa is a fitting reward for a rider in some of his best ever form

Leer más
Giro d'Italia 2025 stage four preview: A fast finish in Lecce

Giro d'Italia 2025 stage four preview: A fast finish in Lecce

A chance for the pure sprinters to take a stage win as the Giro resumes in Italy's heel

Leer más

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE