Classics Grand Prix.

RACING & WMN Lookbook.

By Black Sheep Cycling

September 19^th, 2021

Our Classics Grand Prix Collection honours the iconic chequered flags. The finish line that makes or breaks hearts.

Classics Grand Prix is inspired by the former legends of the sport that now rule cycling’s history books. Their iconic team kits now treasured memorabilia.

Combine a Brit. A Belgian. Frenchman and an American. All fierce leaders of cycling’s most influential teams of the past. Religious winners. Talent ridden. The ultimate hardmen. No stranger to the symbolic chequered finish line. From dominating the most prestigious one-day Classics. Into the hills for the Grand Tours. To the ultimate prize. Chasing rainbows at Worlds. Combining bold colours with the iconic checks, stripes and patterns inspired by each legend's former famed team.

Chrono: St Raphael.

Frenchman Jacques Anquetil marks cycling’s history books as the first rider to win all three Grand Tours. Known for his effortless pedal stroke. And his cool and calculated demeanour. Never one to waste energy where unnecessary. Pouncing on his opponents at just the right time. His TT prowess was his ultimate weapon. A strength that saw him achieve some of his greatest victories. Included in the mix – 9 Grand Prix de Nations. (Back then, the World Championships Time Trial). Granting him the name, ‘Monsieur Chrono’. In his greatest glory days, Jacques is best remembered wearing the blue, white and red broad stripes of the French outfit, Saint-Raphaël. Mr Chrono. It’s high time we honoured you.

Cannibal: Molteni.

The iconic Molteni orange and black is all about the darling of Belgium. The greatest cyclist of all time – Eddy Merckx. Also known as, ‘The Cannibal’. A rider who won it all. Then did it again. And again. An absolute weapon that dominated professional cycling for season’s on end. Notoriously famous for his unstoppable winning ways in the simple, but bold Molteni get-up. A world champion on multiple occasions. He was no stranger to the rainbow stripes. In 1974 he became the first rider in history to win the Triple Crown of Cycling. The Tour de France. Giro d’Italia. And the World Championships. In one calendar year. All hail King Merckx.

Major: Peugeot.

Briton, Tom Simpson was one of a kind and went hand in hand with the iconic chequers. A cherished member of the Peugeot team since day one. No stranger to crossing the line in first place. Whatever the terrain. He swapped out the checks for rainbow stripes in 1965, making history as the first British World Champion. A hero to many. A legend to all. Not just on the bike and at the finish. Simpson was a vibrant personality. A joker that could often be relied on to brighten up the mood when the going got tough. A true people’s champion. As well know for his chequered past as he was his chequered kit.

Animal: 7-11

Andy Hampsten was the man to bring America into the Euro cycling limelight. Most memorably, the day he put in one of the best rides in the sports history. Battling through a blinding blizzard over the Gavia Pass that saw him go on to win the 1988 Giro d’Italia. An animal ride. Marking the history books as the first American to win the Giro, on an all-American team – 7-Eleven. Famous for their red and green jerseys with old-school prints and retro-cool glasses to boot.