Tommy Simpson remembered with Rapha special edition jersey and cap

Rapha commemorates the 50th anniversary of Tommy Simpson’s 1965 world road race championship win with a special edition jersey and matching cap.

One of Britain’s most successful professional cyclists and the country’s first international cycling star, Tommy Simpson won a handful of Classics and though he missed out on a Tour de France stage victory, he did wear the yellow jersey in 1962, the first British rider to do so.

Three years later he became Britain’s first ever UCI World Road Race Champion, winning in San Sebastian, Spain. Simpson’s impressive feats and attacking riding style won him many fans, and he also added the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award to his collection of successes during a career that was cut tragically short on Mont Ventoux.

Rapha celebrates the anniversary of that 1965 world championship road race with a special edition short sleeve jersey and matching cycling cap. Some proceeds from the sale of the jersey and cap will be donated to the Simpson family for their work to maintain the Tom Simpson memorial on Mont Ventoux

The Rapha Tom Simpson Pro Team Aero Jersey features a design inspired by the Great Britain team kit of the 1960s with – Simpsonissimo (a headline of the Miroir Sport issue from October 18, 1965, a month after his World Championship victory) and Tom Le Plus Fort - headlines of the day - featured on the reverse panel.

Red stitching is a nod to his combative riding style. A bespoke graphic symbolises Simpson’s mining heritage and there are visual references to the world champion stripes and team sponsor. The inner collar is finished with the quote: “A glorious mix of courage and cunning.”

The jersey is based on the regular Rapha Aero jersey with a high-stretch fabric designed to be skin tight and is treated with Coldblack technology. There are mesh panels for ventilation and three rear pockets. It’ll cost £130 and come in sizes from XS to XXL.

If you’re going to buy the jersey, you have to buy the matching Rapha Tom Simpson Cap. It features a similar design and colourway to the jersey and is made from a lightweight water resistant and windproof fabric. One size fits all and it costs £25.

www.rapha.cc