Giro d’Italia x Castelli 2020
By Stan Portus – 6 October 2020
Castelli is official jersey provider for the 103rd edition of the Giro d’Italia. Take a look at the jerseys worn in the pro peloton, as well as the Castelli kit designed to celebrate the history of La Corsa Rosa.
The Giro d’Italia is a race that is often considered second to the Tour de France. But in many ways it trumps the Tour. The Giro climbs higher, goes faster, and is considered so cruel that cyclists are often not considered part of cycling’s pantheon of greats unless they have claimed the Giro’s towering trophy.
The 2020 edition of the race has already proved the Giro’s formidable character, with Stage 3 blowing the GC race apart as the riders ascended the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna. With two more weeks of racing still to go and many mountains to climbs, we can be certain to see more gut-wrenching riding and potential GC upsets along the way.
Having taken a 26 year break from supplying the leaders’ jerseys for the Giro, Castelli began supplying La Corsa Rosa with the Maglia Rosa, Azzura, Ciclamino, and Bianca again for 101st edition in 2018. Castelli has continued to supply the leaders’ jerseys since with multiple designs constructions making up the 2020 collection.
The Giro jersey colours reflect different competitions in the race. The Rosa is worn by the GC leader, the Azzura is the climber’s jersey, the Ciclamino is for the general points classification, and the Bianca is worn by whichever young hopeful finds themselves highest in the GC ranks.
As well as supplying the leaders’ jerseys, Castelli has also created two jerseys that celebrate this gruelling race’s history, in classic retro designs with the Maglia Nera and Giro Prosecco.
The Giro 103 Collection also includes the Stelvio Jersey, celebrating the Passo de Stelvio that features on Stage 18 and will be the highest point on the race at 2,758m.
In a Grand Tour first, all Castelli’s Giro 103 leaders’ jerseys and replicas are made from recycled yarns, certified in accordance with the Global Recycled Standard while bringing the same superb breathability, elasticity, and weight as the leaders’ jerseys in previous years.
Race Jersey
The Castelli Race Jersey is identical in design and construction as to those worn by the pros in the peloton, bringing all the technical features the pros need to race at the highest level.
The jersey takes as it’s the base the same cut and construction as Castelli’s Aero Race 6.0 jersey for the best aerodynamic performance.
Castelli has integrated a number holder on the rear of the jersey to avoid the need for safety pins, and to keep aerodynamics on the lower back top notch.
Combining tradition and typical flare, Castelli has overlayed the regular light colours of the race’s leaders’ jerseys with a series of richer-toned diagonal stripes, evoking the shape of the Trofeo Senza Fine, the Giro’s unique trophy. The gold finish zipper o the Race Jersey also pays homage to the Giro’s trophy.
Competizione Jersey
Available in men’s and women’s cuts, the Competizione jersey is a slightly more relaxed design ideal for riders who want to ride all day and prioritise comfort over aerodynamics.
The jersey uses Velo Light fabric on the front and back for stretch and comfort, and 3D mesh fabric on arms and side panels for excellent breathability.
A silicone waist band holds the jersey and loaded rear pockets in place, while the Castelli scorpion pull on the YKK Vislon zipper makes for easy opening and closing.
Mirroring the Race Jersey, the Competizione jersey features a diagonal stripe print, evoking the shape of the Giro’s Trofeo Senza Fine trophy.
Maglia Nera
The Maglia Nera was awarded to the Giro’s last place finisher between 1946 and 1951. Like the Tour’s Lanterne Rouge, it was an honour marking the gruelling fight to the finish and the glory of reaching the end of three odyssean weeks in the saddle.
Not seen for 70 years, Castelli is paying homage to this jersey in luxury and style. Using an Italian made 50/50 merino and polyester blend the jersey is soft against the skin while offering superb moisture management.
The two-tone Giro d’Italia logo across the chest is flocked to a super smooth finish while the Castelli and Prodotto Ufficiale logos are sewn on. A gold-tone Trofeo Senza Fine zipper pull completes the jersey.
Giro Prosecco
The 2020 Giro d’Italia features and individual time trial through Italy’s wine country of Prosecco Superiore DOC from Conegliano to Valdobbiadene. The Giro Prosecco jersey celebrates this region with its bottle green colour and sewn on prosecco label on the left-hand sleeve.
Like the Maglia Nera, the Prosecco jersey uses an Italian-made 50/50 merino and polyester fabric for a lavishly soft feel and superb wicking. The jersey is completed with a zip that features a metallic Trofeo puller as a final decadent detail.
