ladyhawk

This may be a dumb question, but I'm wondering about the riders with slightly different uni's than their teammates. I'm not talking about those who've won their country's national championship and are wearing their national colours. But I've notice Vino's helmet colours are opposite to his teammates' lids. I think I noticed other examples, but just can't think of them right now.

cjbruin

I was wondering about that as well. Boonen wears a different helmet than the rest of Quikstep too. Maybe it's so the rest of the team can easily spot them (?)

USAZorro

Helmets seem not to be subject to the same controls as jerseys. Boonen's helmet is also different, as is Bettini's (he'd be wearing gold if he were in the Tour). Also, in the past, some of the race leaders have put on yellow helmets.

Perhaps someone with a link to this rule could help clarify the matter. Otherwise, an e-mail to Versus might get you the answer.

asgelle

Helmets (and shoes) are not considered part of the uniform and so UCI does not control them. Some teams let all the riders have personal shoe and helmet sponsors, some only let a few. In either case, this is negotiated and spelled out in the contract between the rider and the team.

airsoft510

It's a way to have the team leader stand out. They have the chance to wear something that sets them apart with their team

ed073

incorrect.

meb

In many instances you have someone wearing a national champions jersey (Moreau, Hincapie, etc.).
Time Trial stages 13 and 19 you will see Cancellera back in the world champions jersey.

meb

Two years ago Rassmussen had polka dot helmet, shorts, and socks. I'll love to see what he does Tuesday with both a Yellow and Polka dot lead.

I haven't seen him wear rainbow sleeves yet, but as a former world mountain bike champion he is permitted to wear rainbow sleeves.

GV27

Thanks for the informative commentary. Quite helpful. Thanks again.

As said, shoes and helmets fall outside the normal uniform rules so teams/individuals can do anything they like with them color-wise. Celebrate a major achievement, set the team leader apart, promote something - whatever.

Bettini has actually switched to a rainbow scheme on his helmet with hints of gold this season. He just has too much going on as current Olympic and World road champion!

3MTA3

funny, someone said "incorrect" before botto, yet you didn't give them your attempt of being an *******.

GV27

Sorry, my oversight.

Thanks for the informative commentary. Quite helpful. Thanks again.

GV27

Incorrect - this season's looks like this at last count:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/20...4/BETTINI_0206

The helmet design you linked to has more than a hint of gold. It's basically the same gold helmet he wore for the majority of 2006 with rainbow stripes across it to celebrate his then-recent World Championship.

ed073

MR has worn the rings on his sleeves previously.

thatguy

Got a pic? I believe you can only wear the stripes in the discipline in which you won them. Cancellara has no stripes on his road jersey.

^*^BATMAN^*^

Current rainbow jersey holders can only wear the rainbow jersey in the dicipline it was won in(ie. track, ITT, road, BMX, Cyclo, ect). The rings on the sleves. I cant find any real rule about it. Not everyone does. Though some do. It has also been knowen for past U23 champions to still wear the rainbow sleves.

asgelle

1.3.064 When he no longer holds the title of world champion, a rider may wear rainbow piping on the collar and cuffs of his jersey as per the technical specifications in the brochure which will be sent to him by the UCI. However, he may wear such a jersey only in events of the discipline and speciality in which he won the title and in no other event.

roadgator

Along the same lines as the world champion rings, Discovery has yellow bands on their jersey. I know they'l say its for the live-strong foundation, but its also a rip-off of the tradition of special sleeves. I think it would be cool for the winners of the grand tours to keep a band on their jersey (pink, gold, or yellow), but not the whole team, and not 2 years later. can someone say trying to hold on to the past?

maalea

Disco only has 1 yellow band on the left(?) sleeve.

roadgator

your right. but still, they are hanging on to past glory that no one in the current team obtained themself.

it just strikes me as a little pretentious.

ed073

there's no "rule"....just a convention.

pics be out there somewhere.

Stu has worn them on his road shirts as a track WC.

Ekimov too.....but he's really world champion of being world champion.

thatguy

Uh, Lance owns part of the team. What's so weird about that?

thatguy

Uh, what about this rule?

A track champion cannot wear his stripes in a road race, etc.

ed073

I'm crap at cutting and pasting....but have a look at these pics form the 04 Tour showing chicken with the world champs armbands...

https://grahamwatson.com/gw/imagedocs...orm&04tourSt13

ed073

it's new

thatguy

Thanks for finding one.



Credit: Graham Watson

Seems strange that he would do that. I guess someone decided to make a rule about it. I know Lance actually stopped wearing his arm bands at some point, before 04 at least.