New in at PBK this week is the 2011 BMC Racing team kit. The USA Professional Continental team have high hopes for this year and have the kit to match the confidence. A combination of old and new blood will be looking to make an impact this season. The former Australian national champion Cadel is the main man and is looking good with just under a month to go before the start of the TdF. Cuddles stated his intent early on in the season and quite rightly so after finishing second place in the 2009 Tour.

Cadel Evans celebrates on the podium at the 2011 Tirreno-Adriatico

Cadel hasn’t been shy expressing his opinions as the whole Contador saga continues stating his annoyance at the length of the investigations but declared the Spaniard is beatable if allowed to compete this year.
However time is running out for the for the ageing Australian rider and this year could be the last chance to pull on the famous Maillot Jaune. BMC have built Cadel’s 2011 season around the Tour leaving him out of the Giro in an attempt to keep him fresh for the Tour despite having had a taste of pink at the Giro in 2002 and 2010.
Cadel’s season didn’t start off too well with a quadricep injury keeping him out of the BMC Racing Team for the Ardenne classics after crashing on a training ride near his Swiss home. However Cadel seems to have made a full recovery with victories later in the season at the Tour de Romandie and the Tirreno-Adriatico.

The BMC Racing Team have got the man power to do some damage at this years Tour.

BMC aren’t just a one trick pony though with podium finishes from other team riders including Van Avermaet finishing second at the Tour of Belgium, George Hincapie finishing runner up at the US Road Nationals and Brent Bookwalter missing out on the podium by one tenth of a second at the US Time Trial National Championships there’s no doubt that this team are considered serious contenders at this year’s Tour. Young rider Taylor Phinney is also one to watch and tipped to be a future Paris-Roubaix winner. Can BMC come up with the goods and help Cadel top off an already impressive career with the ultimate retirement present? Well if his team mates work as well together as their kit then there should be no problem of that.

The Kit

Manufactured by American company Hincapie, this kit is among some of the nicest team clothing we get here at PBK. Hincapie originates from a family run business and have a dedication to detail and premium apparel and the BMC Racing team kit is no exception.

The full zip short sleeve jersey is made from Super fine TourTek fabric which boasts quick drying technology offering effective moisture management. The side paneling, back of the neck and under arms of the jersey, feature accelerator mesh which provides ventilation without compromising stretch. The jersey also houses Solar Guard properties which absorbs UVB rays protecting you from harmful ultra violet radiation and offering UPF 50 protection while out on your bike. Smooth non elastic sleeve openings and comfort collar construction creates the perfect race fit. Silicon waist grippers stop the jersey from riding up with comfort collar and flat seams creating the perfect riding fit. It should be noted that this jersey does have an aero style fit when we tried it on in the office but the stretch of the material would allow for a few cake stops.

Dual zipping system ensures ample ventilation opportunity.

The Windtex Vest from Hincapie offers lightweight, water resistant and windproof protection against the elements. This gilet has superior packability properties for compact storage and at at push you could fit it in a jersey back pocket. Again accelerator mesh provides ventilation without compromising stretch on the back of the garment. A dual zipping system also ensures ample ventilation opportunity. An all-weather collar and internal storm flap seal keeps out all that that mother nature has to throw at you.

The bib shorts feature lightweight textured DimpleTek speed fabric which reduces air resistance over the fabric surface increasing aerodynamics. A seamless, anatomical, multi density Hincapie Team Chamois looks after the goods with perforated foam inserts and centre relief channels move with rider optimising comfort. Soft mesh bib tops offer extra breathability while 260g Lycra allows high performance and long lasting durability.
The long sleeve jersey is made from soft, supple QuadroHot fabric which is designed to insulate you from the cold. A brushed inner layer of fast-drying, hollow-core fibers offers effective moisture management and feels soft against the skin even after repeated use. As with the short sleeve jersey silicon waist grippers stop the jersey from riding and a full-zip front offers suitable ventilation. Reflective elements on the sleeve gives you that extra safety and confidence while riding during low level lighting conditions.

Show your support for Cuddles and the rest of the BMC Racing Team and check out the 2011 BMC Racing kit  here.

Click below for close up shots of the BMC Racing 2011 range:
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