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TECH NEWS

Rapha release Bordeaux-Paris jersey

UK clothing brand launches jersey for 50th anniversary of Tom Simpson's victory

Rapha have released a new Bordeaux-Paris Jersey, based on the Brevet Jersey from previous years, to commemorate the 50-year anniversary of Tom Simpson’s 1963 victory in the race.

Bordeaux-Paris, last run in 1988, was a marathon event covering a massive distance of about 350 miles (560km). That required it to take place overnight with the last 125 miles (200km) motor paced with Derny bikes. Simpson was the last of the three British winners.

The Bordeaux-Paris Jersey, priced at £130, has been designed with several Audax-specific features: extra-large cargo pockets for food and essentials, a dedicated valuables pocket, and a water-resistant chest pocket for ATM cards.

Hi-vis detailing, such as reflective stripes on the sleeve and chest, are also to be found on the matching polyester gilet (£90). Finishing touches include an embroidered ‘TS’ to honour Simpson’s victory.

The jersey is made from Sportwool, a mix of merino wool and polyester, and comes with a full-length front zip. You’ll find it available on the Rapha website now. 

Sale of the jersey coincides with a charity event spearheaded by Rapha CEO Simon Mottram, to take place in September 2013. The Rapha Bordeaux-Paris Challenge Ride, which seeks to raise £250,000 aid of Ambitious About Autism, will be a team relay run over 24 hours and following the historic race route. Entries are still open on the Rapha website

Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. We send him off around the world to get all the news from launches and shows too. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.

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22 comments

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Alex1877 | 11 years ago
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Purchased both the jersey and the gilet the other day, the detail and quality of the jersey is phenomenal. The gilet is to be fair over priced but I like its fit and look so I'm quite happy.

I can't help but find the Rapha haters comments that usually grace the pages of the Road.cc forums incredibly comical !! I have cycling gear from multiple brands, Endura, Miltag, Gore but to name a few and I've never been disappointed. I buy items based on reviews as well simply aesthetics, if I like the look and it's got a good review then i'll buy it provided its a good fit and ive never seen the problem with that, don't think I'll ever understand how enthusiastically people have to rip into Rapha!! They simply make beautifully crafted and aesthetically pleasing products, if you can't afford them or don't like them then don't buy them !!  4

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The _Kaner | 11 years ago
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Who's Tom Simpson? Is he Homer's brother.....

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Bez | 11 years ago
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"your crackers if ride around in black just my opinion "be safe be seen""

I've got a light. Innit. And what have my crackers got to do with the price of fish?

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notfastenough | 11 years ago
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Looks lovely.

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boffo | 11 years ago
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I just paid over £600 to insure my diesel panel van even though in twenty odd years of driving i've never had a claim or accident, and I don't doubt it'll go up next year. £120 for a nice jersey? Bargain  22

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rossi | 11 years ago
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end of the day its black. your crackers if ride around in black just my opinion "be safe be seen"

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farrell replied to rossi | 11 years ago
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rossi wrote:

end of the day its black. your crackers if ride around in black just my opinion "be safe be seen"

You and Henry Ford wouldn't have much to talk about would you...

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Some Fella | 11 years ago
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Went to look at the LIDL £10 gilet today.
Looked rubbish so didnt buy it.
Do i win a prize?

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Fringe replied to Some Fella | 11 years ago
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Some Fella wrote:

Went to look at the LIDL £10 gilet today.
Looked rubbish so didnt buy it.
Do i win a prize?

Yeah, ten pound Lidl voucher!

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Mat Brett | 11 years ago
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Thanks, Fringe. I was getting worried there.

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Fringe | 11 years ago
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I blame them bankers of slurry for driving outa there own county and coming round ere to my lidaldi and buying my polyester sports casual wear, why can't they stick to their own Wafha stuff.

Tossers.

Right, must go make tea...  4

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Mat Brett | 11 years ago
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Well, in the office sweepstake I picked the fifth comment as the one when someone would first mention Lidl/Aldi and the current Rapha exchange rate, and no one has even bothered yet.

Also, no one has mentioned bankers or Surrey.

Could someone sort this out please?

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Fringe | 11 years ago
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don't worry I'm sure in five/ten years time when Armstrong is governor of Texas on a presidential trajectory Rapha will knock out a special Lone Star State jersey, maybe with a small epo sized phial pocket...  4

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fred22 | 11 years ago
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You wouldn't be seen dead in a Lance Armstrong jersey, but you'd buy a Tom Simpson one?

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Denzil Dexter replied to fred22 | 11 years ago
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fred22 wrote:

You wouldn't be seen dead in a Lance Armstrong jersey, but you'd buy a Tom Simpson one?

My colleague Dave and I were working quietly in the lab on our new sanctimonious-o-meter when it suddenly went off the scale and exploded… Thanks fred22 at least we know it works, think we're going to need to re-calibrate it though  39

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ljblas replied to fred22 | 10 years ago
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Yes I would and I'd buy it with real pride.
God bless Tommy S.

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Martin Thomas | 11 years ago
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I think it would be downright rude of me not to get one of these now I'm writing for a magazine named after Tom Simpson...I must have a word with the boss.

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dbb | 11 years ago
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it is not a one size fits all market!
no one complains and says you are mad when you make your personal choice to buy a £40 jersey.
some people pay a tenner for a pair of jeans and think they get good value - others pay over a 100 quid and think they get good value.

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Fringe | 11 years ago
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regardless of all the 'rapha this rapha that' kinda thing it's sounds like a damn fine jersey, larger pockets, waterproof cash card pocket and reflective details. All good stuff and what you need for long rides.

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bfslxo | 11 years ago
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am i odd but when i'm buying a new item whether it be assos rapha or castelli - i always factor in a resale value for it based on when i will come to part with it.

i would normally sell something after 3 odd years and still get a turn of money back.

Ok your still having to lay out a larger sum to start but you get really good stuff that is well made, lovely to wear, comfortable and usually extremely well fit for purpose especially Assos, whilst the other brands are good they just don't measure up when it comes to performance.

So perhaps you may want to factor that in if your considering a purchase - and believe u me i am not a high earner by any stretch!

fyi: just watch a few of rapha's items going second hand on flea bay - the price the sellers can get is often very very nice indeed sir - yes thank u  13

oh & i hate to say i don't really like this jersey  17

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WolfieSmith | 11 years ago
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Come on people.... £130 for a jersey...!!?. Don't tell me all you 'I don't waste £130 on a top that lasts 5 years when I can buy a new cheap top each season for £40." types are out on your bikes this Good Friday?

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mattsccm | 11 years ago
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It looks nice. I have almost exactly the same pic as we passed them (in our car) in Snowdonia, where I reckon that was taken. Friendly bunch, it was Rapha Continental out there. Pain in the **** for drivers though, all over the road and that was just their car. Nice kit and bikes.  1

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