Paris-Roubaix is well known as a new product test lab. Despite the obvious challenge the cobbles present, the most recent focus has been on new aerodynamic products. The theory behind this is, make your move on the cobbles, and make it stick on the tarmac in between. This has been the recipe for victory in all recent runnings of the “Hell of the North.”
At Castelli, we took notice of this and provided a unique new product for our riders, a road racing skin suit, called Sanremo SpeedSuit. Johan VanSummeren and other Garmin-Sharp riders choose the SpeedSuit for longer races, and when looking at the numbers, it may have played the key role when Vansummeren broke away from the lead group to ride into the famous Roubaix’s velodrome solo in 2011.
The Sanremo SpeedSuit can save a rider significant time in aerodynamics: 12-15 watts at 40 km/h. With a rapidly emptying rear tire, following a huge effort in the break, Vansummeren was certainly not hindered by his choice of clothing on the day. Look at the numbers: wearing the Speedsuit, Van Summeren attacked with 15km to go on the Carrefour d’Arbre cobblestone strip. With the savings of 15 watts at 40 km/h, that could have indeed been the difference.
Assuming Vansummeren rode an average on 400 watts, the SpeedSuit gave him an extra 0.37 mph, and saved roughly 12 seconds over that distance. Johan won by 19 seconds, without Speedsuit, that would have left only seven seconds, and who knows what would have been possible if the chasing group with Cancellara had gotten that close. He won by 19 seconds, without the SpeedSuit that’s a 7 second gap.
[youtube width=”600″ height=”404″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJFX0NmvGeQ[/youtube]Last two kilometers of Paris-Roubaix 2011, Johan VanSummeren wearing the Sanremo SpeedSuit.
[youtube width=”600″ height=”404″]http://youtu.be/EvWHT3Xll8o[/youtube]Peter Stetina (Garmin-Sharp) has been reaping the aero benefits of the
Sanremo SpeedSuit for more than two years.
[youtube width=”600″ height=”404″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1gNBED6VGI[/youtube]Dan Martin (Garmin-Sharp) talks about his favorite Castelli products,
the Inferno bibs and Sanremo SpeedSuit .
[youtube width=”600″ height=”404″]http://youtu.be/srA4DwPV7vc[/youtube]Vansummeren talks Sanremo SpeedSuit and Winter Sanremo ThermoSuit.
A closer look at the Sanremo SpeedSuit.
At the first view, the SanRemo suit is just a skinsuit with a full-zip. Looking a bit more into detail, the suit offers a lot more. Right after a few pedal strokes, I was confined to the fit and comfort. A special construction allows to leave off bib straps which leads to a phenomenal free and relaxed fit. The whole suits make you feel riding in a second skin.
The shorts-part is a one piece construction and the lack of seams provides a perfect amount of comfort. Added dimples on the lower part of the shorts cause a smooth fit and optimized airflow – quite an important detail for any race kit.
The new leg grippers secure a perfect fit without irritating the skin because grip material is directly integrated into the grip band.
Castelli’s top of the range seat pad Progetto X2 Ait got a few improvements for 2012 and does a perfect job, no matter you ride for 1 or 6 hours. It’s also not too much padding when riding in the aero-position on your TT bike.
The upper body is the real secret of this suit. The mix of different fabrics is carefully considered. A plain fabric at the front and a breathable mesh fabric on the sleeves and back. In contrast to usual skinsuits, the Castelli SanRemo speedsuit has three standard sized back pockets. They are very elastic and provide enough storage space for the usual essentials like cellphone, rainjacket, food and so on.
The arm cuffs are outfitted with the same grip band as on the legs and contribute to a tight aero-fit. Pleated inserts at the armpits secure an aerodynamic stretchy fit and also help to regulate the body climate well.
The full zip is one of the main advantages of this race suit. It’s a fantastic feature when temperatures rise and/or while climbing. A clever construction doesn’t cause a sail effect while riding with the jersey fully unzipped – also a great plus during downhills on super hot days like last weekend.
The upper part of the suit fits a bit more casual compared to the Aero Race Jersey. It’s still a very anatomic fit, but a bit more relaxed. I suppose, it can be explained with the full-zip. Toilet breaks become an easy thing with the full zip and low cut at the front – also one of the big disadvantages of normal skinsuits.
More information, go to product page >>
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