Rapha reveals new EF Education-Nippo Giro kit

Rapha reveals new EF Education-Nippo Giro kit

Rapha and EF Education-Nippo will showcase their special edition ‘Euphoria’ kit at the Giro d’Italia this year

Words: Rachel Jary

Rapha and EF Education-Nippo has revealed its hotly anticipated Giro d’Italia switch-out kit, with an understated but deeply stylish celebration of people from different backgrounds coming to achieve a single goal.

Pink is the sacred colour at the Giro d’Italia. For all 103 editions of the race, the leader has worn the maglia rossa, a vibrant and eye-catching jersey designed to set itself apart from sponsor-clad team jerseys.

Related: Giro d'Italia 2021 Preview

Related: The best men's cycling jerseys

Of course, for the prestigious pink jersey to stand out, it needs to be the only one of that colour in the peloton. This causes problems for Team EF Education-Nippo who don baby pink apparel throughout the cycling season.

But, in true EF style, each time the Giro rolls round, they turn this problem on its head, creating new, one-off jerseys for the race alongside their clothing sponsor, Rapha. The designs are often unique and divisive, both exciting and repulsing fans.

Last year, we were treated to a collaboration with skateboarding superbrand Palace to create one of the wackiest jerseys ever seen in the cycling world. Reminiscent of the time LeMond’s Team Z jersey entered the scene back in the 1980s, the design featured pop-art style ducks, kaleidoscope patterns and the Palace logo.

Related: Behind the Rapha x One More City Collection

Like marmite, some loved it, some hated it. Regardless of the design itself, the jersey was a great tonic. In a year when everything was turned on its head, the jersey threw up another unexpected twist in 2020, disrupting tradition and bringing a new perspective to the sport.

For the 2021 Giro, Rapha have again produced another stunning jersey design. Perhaps a little more understated than last year's duck-adorned racewear, it has a black base which features blocks of every single colour but one: the Giro’s pink. With this, the pattern is both striking and stylish. Not one to do things in half measures, Team EF have given their bikes a matching paint job, too.

Named the Euphoria collection, the jersey is a celebration of people from all different backgrounds coming together in pursuit of a common goal. As in 2020, the message is apt in the current global climate, where the world has had to unite in the face of a common threat.

Team EF-Education Nippo has a roster of riders from all over the globe, and the jersey is the perfect representation of this as the team work together in the fight for the maglia rossa. They will race in the Euphoria collection throughout the Giro d’Italia this year and it will be available for purchase from Rapha at the end of May.

After months of the world looking pretty dull and grey, Team EF will bring a welcome splash of colour to our screens as we enjoy the Giro this year. 

The kit will be available to buy from Rapha at the end of May.

Words: Rachel Jary

READ MORE

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...

Leggi di più
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...

Leggi di più
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

Leggi di più
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

Leggi di più
The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Dilemma: Should Primož Roglič give away the Giro d'Italia pink jersey?

The Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe rider will next be able to take time on his rivals during stage seven's mountain-top finish and stage nine's gravel. Does he...

Leggi di più
La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

La Reina: Demi Vollering is exactly where she belongs

The Dutchwoman’s victory in La Vuelta España Femenina is a product of exemplary teamwork from FDJ-Suez

Leggi di più

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