The Santini UCI collection pays homage to three legends of professional bicycle racing with three classic kits and many more bespoke items adorned with the unmistakable Union Cycliste Internationale stripes.
The Union Cycliste Internationale is “the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people as a competitive sport, as a healthy recreational activity, as a means of transport, and also just for fun.” The organization serves to oversee international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland.
The Grand Campioni pieces honor cycling’s grand champions, Fausto Coppi, Eddy Merckx, and Stephen Roche. Each larger-than-life talents on and off the bike, Coppi, Merckx, and Roche have left their marks on the sport and these cycling kits.
‘La Dama Bianca’ - Fausto Coppi
Comfortable as well as stylish, the special edition cycling jersey dedicated to Fausto Coppi’s victory in 1953 in Lugano is adorned with rainbow stripes and includes a sleek full front zip. On the center rear pock of the cycling jersey is a label detailing the story behind this special edition cycling kit.
With 90km remaining in the world championship race, Coppi broke away from the peloton to win by over 6 minutes. The rose on the label of the cycling jersey makes reference to the garland of flowers presented to Coppi by Giulia Occhini, his mistress, on the podium in Lugano after he won the world championships in 1953; she was known as the ‘La Dama Bianca’. The matching bib shorts commemorating the 1953 world championships with a notation on the knee They compliment the Lugano jersey with rainbow stripes printed on the meshed braces to complete the cycling kit.
1974: The Year of the Cannibal
The first time UCI Road World Championships were held outside of Europe, was in 1974 in Montreal, Canada. The race saw Belgian Eddy Merckx hungry for a road cycling world championship win to add to his wins that year at the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France, and obtain the illustrious triple crown.
To honor this outstanding milestone in cycling history, Santini created a special edition cycling kit for the Merckx’s amazing year. The color was inspired by the Belgian National team cycling kit he wore on his winning ride. This specially designed Merckx cycling jersey provides maximum comfort and includes both a rainbow striped zip as well as printed label on the back pocket which shares his story. The image of the skull with the crossed knife and fork beneath it is a reference to Merckx’s pseudonym – ‘The Cannibal’. The bib shorts celebrating the 1974 world championships are also designed to match the cycling jersey. Engineered from ‘Thunderbike Power’ fabric, the bib shorts provide a compressed fit as well as breathability and comfort.
Stephen Roche Takes Cycling’s Triple Crown
No one was expecting Merckx’s 13-year-old historic triple crown to be matched on Sunday, September 6th, 1987 in Villach, Austria. But Stephen Roche of Dundrum County, Dublin, surprised them all that day. He attacked hard on the last lap of the circuit and sprinted for victory from an elite group in the closing 300 meters.
Inspired by his victory at the 1987 world championships, and designed with stylish comfort the Stephen Roche commemorative cycling kit is a bold kelly green. The triple crown motif on the Villach ’87 jersey is a reference to the combined victory of three highly significant races – the Giro, Tour and World Championships all won in the same year by Stephen Roche. The cycling jersey includes a rainbow striped zip and also features a printed label on the back center pocket explaining how Roche won the race. The bib shorts with a rainbow stripes design on the braces in honor of the 1987 world championships. Designed with maximum comfort in mind, it includes a silicone grip to ensure a tight fit while you ride. Ideally matched with the Villach jersey for a stylish look.
The Rainbow Stripes
Also included in this unique UCI collection, Santini celebrates the iconic rainbow stripes of world champions and the organization. Modestly set against a black background, the stripes adorn the timeless and functional musette bag, winter thermal cycling cap, and of course, an understated black jersey - not to be confused with THE rainbow-striped jersey.
Find the full collection here on sale now at Cento.