Rapha Cycling prides itself on creating custom designed ‘haute couteur’ cycling clothes for cyclists.
Rapha comes from the legendary French cycling team of the 1960s St Raphael, led by the tempestuous Jaques Anquetil. Jacques Anquetil won the Tour de France 5 times and broke the World Hour Record (except this was never ratified, because Jacques refused to take a drugs test)
Rapha focuses on the traditions of European pro cycling scene, evoking a former era of cycling. It produces many ‘retro’ clothes such as wollen jerseys and traditional cycling caps (which are less common in an era of compulsory helmets) It’s designer label cycling clothes come at quite a price, with some cycling jerseys costing upto £180. It is one of the few cycling companies who regularly advertise in glossy magazines. Rapha also produces its own cycling journal ‘le Rouleur’ which seeks to celebrate the drama and beauty of Road racing.I have to admit, I like Rapha clothes, but, I have never bought any because they are too expensive.
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Jacques Anquetil broke the hour record twice. The first was ratified, the second was not because he felt that the drugs test was not to be conducted in a manner that afforded him dignity, being asked to pee into a bottle in a tent in the middle of the velodrome with all the spectators looking on. He had a private drug test later in the day, but this was not accepted.