A Different Kind Of Primavera
Castelli got rave reviews when the 2013 edition of Milan–San Remo got hammered by snow and sub-zero temperatures, and half the pro-peloton was equipped with the black stealth looking, fully aero, fully breathable and fully protected Gabba WS Jersey.
When the WorldTour peloton tackles the first Monument of the year on Sunday, as Milan–San Remo returns for its 105th edition, there is a good chance of rain, #GabbaWeather, but luckily no snow is expected this year for the riders who will cover the 294 kilometers to the seaside.
The Gabba WS Jersey has become the pro’s favorite piece for wet, cool, and dry conditions. Core protection without overheating is great even when the sun is shining. And the unmatched breathability keeps you drier than your old jacket that just became obsolete.
Sharp eyes will notice how many pro riders from other teams use the original Gabba with the logos blacked out or mostly unbadged, and the trend of riders from non-sponsored teams wearing its Gabba jerseys when conditions take a turn for the worse. Some other brands have tried to copy it, but pros know they’re at a disadvantage if they don’t have a real Gabba.
Castelli-equipped Gerald Ciolek (MTN-Qhubeka) will line up at Milan–San Remo on Sunday wearing No. 1 on his jersey as he aims to defend his title and take another trophy home to Germany.
For 2014, “La Classicissima” returns to its roots. The race was set to change from a sprinters’ classic into one better suiting the climbers and more likely to split the peloton, but due to road damage the race instead returns to a route last used in the 2007 edition—one that very much favors the fast men.
The race now covers Passo Turchino, the Tre Capi—the small Mele, Cervo and Berta climbs—the Cipressa, and, at 6.1 km from the finish, the Poggio.
The beauty of the Milan–San Remo is that people will be itching to go from the bottom of the Cipressa. Teams with longshot riders will probably try and make the selection already here. With two stage victories at Paris-Nice, Garmin-Sharp’s on-form Tom-Jelte Slagter will be keen to put in a strong showing on Sunday and will be another Castelli rider to watch, along with MTN-Qhubeka’s Ciolek.
MTN-Qhubeka
1. Gerald Ciolek (GER)
2. Linus Gerdemann (GER)
3. Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU)
4. Louis Meintjes (RSA)
5. Kristian Sbaragli (ITA)
6. Andreas Stauff (GER)
7. Jay Robert Thomson (RSA)
8. Jaco Venter (RSA)
Garmin-Sharp
91. Jack Bauer (NZL)
92. Nathan Haas (AUS)
93. Sebastian Langeveld (NED)
94. David Millar (GBR)
95. Ramunas Navardauskas (LTU)
96. Tom-Jelte Slagter (NED)
97. Johan Vansummeren (BEL)
98. Fabian Wegmann (GER)