BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Following the announcement of its deal with Team Sky for 2013, Rapha has launched its first set of Team Sky products for year one of the four year deal.
Including 60 products, Rapha has made available a ‘Pro Team’ level of kit, where consumers will be able to wear the same kit as the pros. The ‘Replica’ level has the look of the kit, but not the price tag or performance.
There’s also the ‘City Wear and Supporter’ range, where team colours and stylings are transposed onto jeans, t-shirts, scarves, flags and other paraphernalia.
Rapha founder and CEO Simon Mottram said: "The opportunity to work with the riders and staff of Team Sky has always been about improving how they perform, look and feel as a ‘Team Sky rider 24-hours a day’. We are excited about the refinements we have brought to the on-bike clothing and are very glad to be able to redefine their look off the bike in a way more commensurate with the stature of these riders and the team."
Rapha is available via Evans Cycles, Rapha Cycle Club stores in London, San Francisco and Osaka, as well as through Rapha.cc.
In other Team Sky news, the team has released its official cycling app for the iPhone, powered by Map My Tracks. using the latest in GPS live tracking tech, fans and Team Sky pro riders can track and share their rides live for others to follow online.
The free app (with has an optional £2.99 in-app training section upgrade) can connect to ANT+ devices like SRM or Powertap power metres, so riders can stream live power, cadence, etc, to coaches via the Map My Tacks cloud network.
Fran Millar, Head of Business Operations, from Team Sky said: “Giving our fans access to training and tracking technology with Map My Tracks is a great way for them to get an insight into Team Sky and how our riders prepare throughout the year. The app also encourages riders of all levels to analyse and record their own data and then share their results with fellow cyclists.”
Nick Tatt, founder of Map My Tracks said: “We have worked hard with Team Sky to ensure the Team Sky Cycling app is easy to use and will help people with their training.”
Tatt continued: “The app takes advantage of our very latest live tracking technology which lets friends and family follow a rider’s progress live and comment on their performance as they hit the climbs. With the addition of live heart rate, power and cadence it makes the Team Sky training app an obvious training accessory to take on any ride.”
