Remember Bradley Wiggins?
How could you forget: the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France may have hung up his bike, but let's face it, he was never likely to slip away into a quiet retirement. In the past week alone he's been stirring the pot on Geraint Thomas vs Froome, announcing plans for a women's cycling team and dropping cryptic remarks on that jiffybag affair - and, as viewers of Eurosport's Tour de France coverage may be aware, he's just launched his own range of cycling kit as well.
Sir Bradley has always cultivated his own style, with memorable images of his mod-inspired looks gracing podiums across the world. Now he's joined forces with his old friend and team mate Yanto Barker at premium British cycling brand Le Col to launch the collection 'Le Col by Wiggins'.
Featuring cycling jerseys, bib shorts and extras inspired by cycling's history, and trade teams from throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, Le Col by Wiggins "is for cyclists who recognise quality and performance, and want to combine that with a classic vintage aesthetic."
It's not just a case of Wiggins putting his name to the product to shift units either. The Olympic track and road star has worked closely with Yanto and the Le Col team on the new range, and by all accounts took personal satisfaction in the creative process.
"I wanted to create a range of cycling kit that captured my cycling world," explains Wiggins, "so I partnered with Le Col, who make the best technical kit on the market and then added my personal style. Everything that I've experienced, achieved, and loved as a kid, as a junior racing in London, as a spectator watching my heroes, everything I've made in the Le Col by Wiggins collection goes back to a point in my history."
Yanto Barker, the founder of Le Col, added: "When I started Le Col in 2011 I would often speak to Brad in the peloton about performance, style and design, so in a sense, he was involved in Le Col from the very start. Even at that stage, Brad was interested in designing his own range but obviously had other priorities. I'm delighted that he's now joined us to create 'Le Col by Wiggins' where we've combined our shared relentless focus on performance and detail, allied to Bradley's unique style and iconic status as Britain's greatest ever cyclist, to make the most technical and stylish cycling product on the market."
The Le Col by Wiggins Collection is spread across three ranges: The Hors Categorie, Pro and Sport ranges. Each represents a different focus, specification and price point, with jerseys and shorts in the Sport range starting at £85 and £125 respectively, rising to £155 and £185 in the premium HC range.
We'll hopefully get a chance to look at the new kit up close soon, but going by the pictures it's certainly a different look, although Wiggins' trademark red, blue and gold colourways feature prominently.
Retired? That seems the wrong choice of word. It looks like Wiggins isn't going anywhere just yet - and the world of cycling is a more colourful place for it.
Le Col by Wiggins is available now at lecol.cc.
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