The Alpecin-Deceuninck team have changed their race clothing design just a month into the 2024 season, opting for a double denim lycra look that harks back to the Carrera Jeans kits of the 1990s worn by Marco Pantani, Claudio Chiappucci, Stephen Roche, and Djamolidine Abdoujaparov.
The Belgian team have moved away from their blue into black fad of the last few years but the new design immediately sparked concerns that it is too similar the blue fade and red logo colours of Soudal-Quick Step.
"The denim kit is representing our team’s perspective for 2024: daring to stand out, while keeping our feet on the ground," the team said.
"Working hard together, while having fun together. Because jeans are great for any occasion, no?"
Alpecin-Deceuninck's new kit has a denim look all over with the kit overall being a lighter shade of blue than previous efforts. There's also a change at the front of the kit as the logo of co-title sponsor Deceuninck Windows now features on the background of a white box.
The team's Australian sprinter Kaden Groves will be among the riders modelling the new kit for the first time at the UAE Tour.
We'll have to wait a little longer to see Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel in the new look.
