Package modifications for Grand Excursions have change into en vogue lately, and there are three special-edition jerseys on show within the peloton at this yr’s Vuelta a España.
Probably the most hanging is that of Movistar, who go white for the primary time of their lengthy historical past in a design that’s one huge tribute to Alejandro Valverde.
The 42-year-old Spaniard joined the crew in 2005 and, greater than 100 victories later, is driving his ultimate Vuelta in his ultimate season as knowledgeable.
The brand new jersey pays homage to that profession, together with his greatest achievements written onto the back and front. The navy blue base has been swapped for white, and the intersecting sky blue traces now include the names of these races he has gained.
Given prime billing is the world highway race title Valverde gained in Innsbruck in 2018, after years of close to misses and silver and bronze medals. It is so necessary it seems twice, on the left chase and on the prime of the rear of the jersey – simply beneath an imprint of Valverde’s signature.
“No one deserves this greater than him,” mentioned the crew, describing Valverde as essentially the most versatile and one of the vital charismatic riders our nation has identified.”
The achievements listed on the jersey got here both aspect of a two-year doping ban in 2010 and 2011.
What’s listed on the jersey
- 1 Vuelta a España
- UCI Highway World Champion 2018
- 2 Clásica Ciclista San Sebastián
- 4 Liège-Bastogne-Liège
- 9 ultimate podiums in a Grand Tour
- 32 participations in a Grand Tour
- 17 levels in Grand Excursions
- 5 La Flèche Wallonne
- 7 UCI Highway World Championships podium
- 11 podiums in Monument Classics
- 36 Monument participations
- 4 instances winner UCI particular person rating
Astana
Astana Qazaqstan crew have additionally gone white – or not less than a barely silvered model of it.
The Kazakh crew have made much less noise than Movistar, with no actual announcement for the brand new design and no clarification for it.
The equipment sees them ditch the sunshine blue of previous, whereas retaining the diamond sample of their customary 2021 jersey. The jersey is white on the chest and shoulders earlier than fading down by way of these diamonds, from bluey gray to a darker shade to fulfill the shorts.
Arkéa-Samsic
Like Astana, Arkéa-Samsic’s new colors have arrived with little fanfare and little clarification, though it might appear to have been necessitated by a color conflict with the race’s purple chief’s jersey.
Whereas Movistar’s and Astana’s would possibly conflict with the brand new white jersey for finest younger rider, the Grand Excursions defend the branding of their chief’s jerseys and numerous groups have been pressured into design modifications, resembling Jumbo-Visma on the Tour de France and EF Schooling-EasyPost on the Giro d’Italia.
That is Arkéa-Samsic’s first look on the Vuelta, and their customary purple jersey is a straight conflict, so that they’ve gone for a fluoro yellow choice.
The jersey was modelled by Nairo Quintana on the official pre-race photoshoot however simply hours later he was out of the race as information broke of his optimistic assessments for tramadol on the Tour de France. The French crew couldn’t substitute him and solely have seven riders sporting this jersey on the Vuelta.
