Bora-Hansgrohe unveil new kit for 2021 Tour de France
Dark green checkered design 'inspired by chess'
Bora-Hansgrohe have unveiled a new kit especially for the Tour de France, switching from a predominantly white jersey to a darker green design.
The change of kit is part of a push to promote the German's team sponsors, with Bora soon to release a new oven while tap company Hansgrohe celebrates its 120th anniversary.
Made by Italian manufacturer Sportful, the jersey features a checkerboard pattern of black and green, said to be inspired by chess. The shorts are black but the pattern is repeated on the trim.
The logos of Bora and Hansgrohe still have pride of place on the front of the jersey but X BO – the new oven being launched by Bora – now appears on the sleeves and shorts. Likewise, a new '120' logo – with the 0 in the shape of a water drop, sits on the front and rear of the jersey.
"A retro looking jersey with our favorite color in the Sportful palette, inspired by chess," is how the team have described the new look.
"Because the Tour de France - like chess - is much more than just a game."
The jersey has been modelled by Daniel Oss and will be worn by the likes of the team's GC leader Wilco Kelderman when the Tour de France gets underway on Saturday. Peter Sagan recently won the Slovakian road race title and is therefore set to wear a modified national champion's version, although his main objective will be to pull on the Tour's own green jersey as he looks for an eighth victory in the points classification.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
This is the second time in as many years that Bora-Hansgrohe have changed their kit for the Tour. Last year, they switched their darker green and black kit for a white jersey, a design that was largely carried over into their main kit for 2021. However, for the next three weeks, they'll be back with a darker look.
"I am very pleased that this year, our Tour de France Jersey has not only a new design, but also one with a story behind it," said team boss Ralph Denk.
"With Hansgrohe, we’re celebrating their 120th anniversary, and BORA is introducing a new product on the occasion of the start of the Tour. We’re looking forward to that almost as much as the opening stage."
Bora-Hansgrohe are the fourth team to alter their kit ahead of the Tour. Jumbo-Visma's yellow design has been deemed a clash with the leader's yellow jersey and so the Dutch team will be wearing a a grey and black jersey. Total Direct Energie have rebranded as TotalEnergies with a whiter jersey and red shorts, while Movistar have made a minor change in adding parent company Telefonica's logo to their blue jersey.
Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*
Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets
After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59
Join now for unlimited access
Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1