How to deal with unpredictable spring weather

It is hard to think of more unpredictable races in cycling than the cobbled classics. Between routes full of hidden pitfalls and race situations that can change from one meter to the next, the factor par excellence remains the weather.

In the North of Europe, between Belgium, the Netherlands and Northern France, wind and rain are two elements that can decide the outcome of a race. The teams know this well, the riders even better. The knowledge and experience of these conditions is vital when it comes to choosing what to wear to face the most extreme situations, especially the cold ones.

Whilst the lower half of the body remains the most active and warm thanks to the continuous pushing on the pedals, the upper part is the one that needs the best protection from the cold, wind or pouring rain.

The strategy for protecting the upper body has evolved through the years, as have the fabrics and clothing that brands, such as our proud and long-term partner Santini, have created. Light, protective, breathable, and a slim fit: every detail makes a difference.

Let’s discover together the two clothing item most loved by our riders in spring, as well as the must-have for every cyclist who loves to ride even in this unpredictable season:  Guard Neos and Adapt Shell.

This innovative garment, comes from the exclusive, fully thermosealed Polartec® Neoshell® fabric, which provides total protection from the heaviest rain as well ensuring the best breathability. Featuring a high-performance slim fit, it has no seams, making the jacket more elastic, comfortable and lightweight. It includes a double front zip.

An extra waterproof zip pocket on the back has been designed to store any valuables dry. On the back are triple pockets with small holes to allow moisture to escape.  A fabric hook is positioned at the back of the collar to hang the jacket and let it dry.

Key features:
– Suggested for temperatures from 0°C to +10°C/32 to 50 °F
– Thermowelded internal seams
– Waterproof double-slider front zipper
– Reflective chest and back insert for high visibility

A high performance jacket made with a highly stretchable knitted POLARTEC® Neoshell fabric. It provides a superb protection in wet weather and class leading aerodynamics, breathability and comfort.

The Adapt Shell is the perfect item of clothing to guarantee extreme rain protection and insulation. All the internal seams are fully taped and the double zip with ring-pull zipper is also waterproof. It has an ergonomic cut with an aero fit, with sleeves cuffs created using a raw cut thermofleece fabric lined with a layer of water resistant polyurethane. On the back, there’s a splash guard made with the same fabric. There are three rear pockets, with the central one incorporating a metal eyelet for excess water release.