ODDS DEFYING L'AMERICAIN & MAJOR TOM.

LIMITED WORLDS. USA. 4/5 — BRITAIN 5/5.

By Black Sheep Cycling

September 16^th, 2019

fewer ROses, stars & stripes than you would expect.

Though too few and far between, Great Britain can boast some big name victories in both the men’s and women’s Road Race World Championships. Household riders such Mark Cavendish, Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead), Tom Simpson and Beryl Burton have all worn the rainbow jersey.

Similarly, the Americans may not be the most decorated at the World Championships. But they are the only non-European nation to count themselves among the top 10 in both the men’s and women’s medal table. But it’s the story of Greg Lemond that’s the most astonishing. Just two years prior to winning his second Worlds, LeMond was shot with 60 pellets in a hunting accident. He was minutes from death. But returned to roll Frenchman Laurent Fignon twice on home turf – in the Tour de France, and at World Champs in Chambery.

Chambery. 1989

Once Lemond joined the break Laurent had a teammate and the tactical advantage went his way. The race didn’t. To everyone’s surprise. Lemond overcame not only Fignon but famed fast man Sean Kelly too.

'In ‘89, not only would L’Americain defeat Fignon by the tightest of margins at Le Tour. But Fignon’s worst nightmare would come to fruition when a once dead LeMond saddled up next to him nearing the finale of too many Chambery circuits.'

A STAR-SPANGLED SYMBOL.

There is no more patriotic nation than the good ol' US of A. So what else would we choose to slap on the chest of a kit dedicated to one of its greatest sons – L'Americain himself Greg Lemond. Inspired by the emblem created for the US Olympic basketball team, it does exactly what it says on the tin – champions the Stars & Stripes.

SAN SEBASTIÁN. 1965

The race was a 260k or so hilly circuit of 14 laps.

The British team had no support, so Simpson and his friend Albert Beurick procured food and drink by stealing from other teams. That same killer instinct also ensured victory in a sprint finish over German Rudi Altig. Simpson became the first ever British male World Road Race champion.

Simpson is widely remembered for dying on the slopes of Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour de France where his last words were said to be: 'On, on on …'

A UNITED KINGDOM.

For Queen and country. The British crest that adorns the right chest of Tudor Rose-inspired Blighty kit is as grand as tea and cucumber sandwiches in the afternoon and pays tribute to the four countries who make up the United Kingdom – England (rose); Wales (daffodil); Scotland (thistle) and Ireland (shamrock) and the lady boss (crown) who rules over 'em.

OUR PINNACLE RANGES. FOR THE PINNACLE RACE.

To celebrate the pinnacle race of the year, we are releasing a very special edition of own pinnacle collection – RACING and WMN. Garments built on the foundations of performance, utilising technology and fabrics that are world class. September is when the best come out to play. So we are bringing out our best.

RACING COLLECTION.

To date, only used in our Global Racing Club range, our Racing Collection is the most advanced men's garment in our repertoire. A pro fit. A slim silhouette. Lightweight and breathable. Just bloody lovely.

SweatMesh.

An open-cell knit structure provides almost unrestricted evaporative cooling. This is a fabric specifically designed for regions where sweat is highest. Added Sun Protect treatment.

FORMDIMPLE.

FormDimple decreases the drag coefficient by effectively creating a larger boundary layer around an object - in our case, the arm and upper back. This helps airflow stay tighter to the surface of the fabric, decreasing turbulence, and improving overall aerodynamics.

WMN COLLECTION.

Our industry-altering WMN Collection is female-first design, backed by the rigorous research and refinement . We deserve only the very best. Made for Us. Made for Women.

LUXLITE.

LuxLite provides incredible anti sweat performance, with the ultimate female specific fit through body contouring. UPF 40+ sun protection.

FULL BODY SUPPORT.

Ultra-lightweight 105 gsm with a silky texture. Milled in Switzerland, LuxForm is designed to contour perfectly to the body. Horizontal channels provide a full-body support structure.