Sir Paul Smith to design 2013 Giro d'Italia maglia rosa?

With just days to go until we find out whether our recent scoop that Sir Paul Smith has designed Rapha’s kit for Team Sky turns out to be grounded in fact comes news that cycling’s favourite fashionista is behind another jersey that Bradley Wiggins will be hoping to slip into during 2013 – the Giro d’Italia’s maglia rosa.

According to Italian website Tuttobiciweb.it, the new jersey designed by Sir Paul will be presented on Monday 14 January, although there is no confirmation of his involvement as yet on the Giro's own website, Facebook page or Twitter feed.

The website doesn't say whether a change in manufacturer would be involved - Italian firm Santini supplied the jersey 2012 winner Ryder Hesjedal wore on the podium in Milan in May, and has worked with the race since 1993.

If true though, it wouldn't be the first time the British designer has had a bash at reinterpreting what is one of cycling’s most famous jerseys – earlier this year, he collaborated with Rapha on a special edition one (pictured above) that paid tribute to the Italian Grand Tour.

Whoever designs it, the maglia rosa will have something of a new look next year after the recent announcement that  former sponsor Estathé, whose red white and blue logo had appeared on the jersey since 1997, was replaced as sponsor by confectionery firm Balocco, whose name will feature on it for the next two years.

Last year, Sir Paul himself attended the Giro, where he presented the maglia rosa to race leader Alberto Contador following the conclusion of Stage 17 in Sondrio. The Spaniard, who went on to win the race, would subsequently be stripped of that title as a result of the ban imposed following his positive test for clenbuterol in the 2010 Tour de France.