Pinarello-Q36.5 have announced they will be using a limited edition racing kit at the fast-upcoming Tour de France, marking their debut in the race with a fresh design to celebrate the occasion.
The kit features a series of light greys and blues, designed, according to a team press release on Tuesday "to give the riders a distinctively fresher summer-weather look and feel while standing out clearly in the peloton throughout July."
The 2026 Tour de France will see Pinarello-Q36.5 leader Tom Pidcock back at the event for the first time since 2024, in what will be his fourth-ever participation. The Tour features two stages to Alpe d'Huez, where Pidcock won in 2022. After what the rider recently himself described as 'some difficult weeks', a win in the ultra-mountainous Andorra MoraBanc Clàssica 10 days ago strongly suggested the Briton was back on track for his keenly-anticipated return to the Tour.
As for what Pidcock and his teammates will be wearing in the race, according to Q36.5 creative director Lodovico Pignatti Morano, “the use of lighter colours [in the new kit] visually sharpens the detailed presence of Q36.5’s technology within the rider's garments, drawing attention to the body-mapped construction of the rider’s skinsuits."
According to the press release the limited edition jersey is designed for racing in typically hot July conditions, using three different fabrics, and ultralight mesh materials to help thermoregulation. It also uses new 6mm ribbed aero sleeve fabric.
The limited edition bib shorts uses four-zone body mapping and puts a special emphasis, the press release states, on "comfort, support and thermoregulation over the longest and hardest race days".
The collection also features a limited edition light blue summer cap. It will launch shortly before the Tour de France gets underway on July 4 in Barcelona.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Image 1 of 2
(Image credit: Pinarello-Q36.5)
(Image credit: Pinarello-Q36.5)
The world’s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! Find out more.
Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for Cyclingnews, he has also written for The Independent, The Guardian, ProCycling, The Express and Reuters.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
