Tour de France 2022
inspired cycle clothing
From the Grand Départ in Denmark on the 1st July 2022 to the finish 23 days later on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, the 109th edition of the Tour de France covers 3,328km (2,067 miles). Spanning three countries, high mountain passes, cobbles and fast, flat roads, the route will encompass a huge range of parcours and conditions. Alongside bike and setup, clothing is an essential element of preparation. Here we look at a range of cycle clothing that would be well suited to five key stages of this year’s Tour.
Stage Two - Windy Danish conditions
MET Manta Mips Helmet
Wind will be the enemy on Stage Two and is extremely likely to influence the results. After three category four climbs in the first 100km, the course flattens along coastal roads, with a high chance of crosswinds. The last 20km of the stage could be game changing, where the riders cross the Great Belt Fixed Link, two of the world’s longest suspension bridges. This area offers no protection from the wind.
A cycling helmet that is fast yet comfortable will be essential. Perfect for the job is MET's Manta Mips, with its wind tunnel-tuned design. Impressively, the drag-reducing credentials don't come at the expense of ventilation, and the system includes 15 ports and rear exhaust vents to funnel the air over the head.
Safety is equally as well catered for as aerodynamics and ventilation, and the MET Manta uses Mips' excellent C2 technology to provide the best possible protection from rotational impact in the event of a crash.
Ideal for professionals and serious amateurs looking for aero gains alongside excellent cooling, the MET Manta is not just good for the fast, flat races, but also works well for a wider range of stages, events and disciplines.
Stage Five - Comfort for the Cobbles
ASSOS Mille GT Summer GTO C2 Bib Short
Hell of the North cobbles are on the menu for Stage Five. Taking the riders from Lille to Arenberg, the route includes eleven sectors totalling 19.4km of bone-rattling pavé. A key stage in this year’s Tour, focus will be essential, and bike setup and kit will be finely tuned for this type of terrain.
Any cyclist that has ridden the cobbles will know that they soon take their toll on the body, particularly where it comes into contact with the bike. A really good padded bib short, one that’s designed for long hard days in the saddle, will significantly enhance the experience.
Swiss brand ASSOS, known for high-quality products designed with meticulous attention to detail, has released the ASSOS Mille GT Summer GTO C2 Bib Short that is ideal for the job. Engineered for comfort and support, the short features a Mille GTO C2 Insert that’s plush and luxuriously soft against the skin. It’s packed with advanced technologies to maximise comfort and protection, including KraterCooler to improve airflow, three-layer memory foam, and GoldenGate stitching to ensure the pad moves smoothly with the body as you pedal.
OSSIDIA is the main fabric and is excellent at supporting the muscles. Particularly over rough roads and cobbles, or during big efforts, light compression reduces fatigue in the legs, allowing you to hold your speed where it matters most.
Stage Eleven - Lightweight in the Mountains
Universal Colours Spectrum Light Short Sleeve Jersey
Some big climbs feature in Stage Eleven, including the Télégraphe, the Galibier, and a summit finish on the Col du Granon. One for the grimpeurs, it’s all about minimising weight while staying comfortable in the mountains, and clothing can make all the difference.
The Universal Colours Spectrum Light Short Sleeve Jersey strips things back to keep the garment light and breathable. It has a knitted structure to aid airflow and speed up the drying process, and it’s tight yet stretchy for a performance fit and full freedom of movement. Aerodynamics haven’t been ignored, and longer length sleeves and welded seams keep drag to a minimum.
This jersey offers additional environmental benefits, being made completely from post-consumer recycled fabrics, with each piece making use of around fifteen repurposed bottles. Additionally, as a BlueSign® accredited factory, LTP assures of more environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing methods.
Shop the Universal Colours Spectrum Light Short Sleeve Jersey
Stage Sixteen - Keeping the Feet Cool
Lake CX302 Wide Fit Road Cycling Shoes
The heat will soar as the riders go south. Technically a transition stage, Stage Sixteen starts in Carcassonne and heads to Foix, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Although not classed as a mountain stage, there are five climbs on the route, and the day will be hot and hard. Keeping weight low and ventilation high will be of great benefit.
Lake's CX302 Road Cycling Shoes deliver just what is needed; low weight, breathability and efficiency, and they're available in standard and wide fit. As the mercury rises and the road starts to climb, you'll appreciate an upper constructed from microfibre and mesh, keeping the air flowing more freely over the feet. A stabilising carbon fibre panel prevents too much stretch in this supple material and keeps power transfer high.
A Dual 80K Force carbon sole further ensures no watts are lost and that all power is transferred through the pedals. BOA dials allow you to quickly tighten the shoes before launching an attack or for that all important sprint.
Shop the Lake CX302 Wide Fit Road Cycling Shoes
Stage Twenty-One - Clear Vision on the run in to Paris
Oakley Radar EV Path with Prizm Sapphire Lens
Stage Twenty-One, and the procession into Paris, when the General Classification leader is often already cemented in place and, as is custom, not contested. This is a stage of two halves; a celebration for the GC leader and his team and one for the sprinters in the final laps of the Champs-Élysées circuit. Possibly the most coveted stage win for the best sprinters in the world, these riders need to maintain full concentration in this fast and furious final section on the cobbled Paris streets in order to keep their eyes on the prize.
A pair of high quality sunglasses such as the Oakley Radar EV Path with their Prizm Sapphire lens provide a wide field of view that remains unobstructed by water, grease or dirt, thanks to a hydrophobic and oleophobic treatment. The Prizm Sapphire lens creates a striking visual experience, maximising contrast and clarity, so you can pick out imperfections in the road and see all the details in your surroundings.
These sunglasses are lightweight and secure against the face, using Unobtainium in the nose pad and ear pieces so grip is unaffected by moisture or rain.
Shop the Oakley Radar EV Path with Prizm Sapphire lens
We may not all be WorldTour level but no matter where you’re riding or what your experience level, be like the professionals and choose your clothing, shoes and accessories carefully to suit the ride and conditions. Tackle windy straights, gruelling mountains and rougher terrain with the right kit to make you more comfortable and help you perform at your best.
