KIT RANKING GALORE, +SCS CONTINUES
+SCS
SpeedClub Saturdays continue to grind on. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of challenging training and camaraderie, join us. These sessions have become a haven for those who love to push limits and explore the best routes in the metro.
Last week's route was an absolute gem—undoubtedly the finest stretch of roads you could find outside of Atlanta. Rolling hills, smooth pavement, and scenic views made for a day to remember.
The crew was in top form as MG and Quentin turned the day into a somewhat playful showdown, sprinting for every county line sign they passed. After some heated battles and shared laughs, the day ended with an even score and coffees from the new Brash, a perfect way to cap off a stellar ride.
2025 WorldTour Kit Rankings: From Fire to Flop
It’s kit debut season for the World Tour. Kits define a team’s identity, blending fashion (sometimes), sponsorship, and performance (hopefully). This year, the WT peloton’s wardrobe ranges from innovative standouts to absolute misfires.
Here’s our +SpeedClub official ranking of 2025’s most notable kits (so far). Note, there are several teams that have not made substantial changes (Israel), are just not relevant (UNO X), or have not announced (EF).
These rankings are subject to change.
1. Jayco AlUla (MAAP)
The Purple Dream reigns supreme. Jayco’s partnership with MAAP delivers a kit that is daring yet refined. The rich purple base, accented with sharp geometric patterns, feels cutting-edge without being excessive. It’s a design triumph that blends vibrancy with class—arguably the most exciting kit we’ve seen in years.
[Chad’s Note: This is the best thing to hit the pro peloton in years. Near perfection, they just screwed up the helmet - should’ve gone white, duh.]
2. Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe
Bora has made the leap from Sportful to Specialized for kit production, and wow, what a debut. The increased use of white elevates the design, while the Red Bull branding adds iconic flair without overwhelming. The result is sleek, bold, and full of energy—exactly what you’d expect from this powerhouse team.
[Chad’s Note: Solid and moving more toward their F1 roots. They will be easy to spot sprinting for 3rd on the mountaintop finish.]
3. UAE Team Emirates
Small changes, big impact. UAE’s addition of black smoke to its classic red-and-white palette sharpens the look, making it more dynamic and aggressive. But the real star? Tadej Pogačar’s World Champion kit, awash with rainbow stripes. It’s stunning, but we can’t help but wonder how often we’ll see those clean white bibs—rainbows or not, racing conditions are rarely forgiving.
[Chad’s Note: A slight tweak is all they needed to keep it fresh. When you have Pogacar you look good no matter what you do. Plus, they have the new bike.]
4. Soudal Quick-Step
It’s official: this is the best Quick-Step kit we’ve seen in years. With an almost tie-dye effect incorporating more red to reflect sponsor Soudal and a heavy dose of white, the design stands out for once. Gone are the days of over-complicated patterns—this kit feels fresh, polished, and ready to dominate the Classics.
[Chad’s Note: It’s a nice change, but still nowhere close to the Boonen days for sure. Luke’s going to look good and easy to spot.]
5. Cofidis
From all-red livery to now some maroon and mustard sleeves. They will kept the logo placement classic and simple. It was probably time for them to make a move to distinguish themselves from all the other red clad teams.
[Chad’s Note: I strangely don’t mind this move. It’s got some retro vibes to it. They are French so they will look cool at the cafe. Plus, I love a nice dijon mustard.]
6. Lidl-Trek
Familiar but functional. Lidl-Trek sticks to bold primary colors, maintaining the recognizable blue and yellow scheme. It’s solid but lacks innovation, and while it’s not offensive, it’s also not breaking any new ground. A safe, middle-of-the-road choice.
[Chad’s Note: They have no choice but to embrace the Lidl aesthetic - we’ve literally been there. It works for them.]
7. INEOS Grenadiers
Rinse and repeat. INEOS continues with a design nearly identical to last year’s, failing to inject any excitement into the kit. It’s not offensive, but it’s painfully uninspired. For a team with such resources, you’d expect more creativity.
[Chad’s Note: Lazy and outdated. Remember how cool the Sky kits were? Moving from Rapha was such a mistake.]
8. Picnic PostNL
Where do we even begin? With an overwhelming number of logos and questionable placement—seriously, who approved the breast logo?—this kit is a mess. The chaotic design detracts from any potential cohesion, making it a visual overload and a major disappointment.
[Chad’s Note: The absolute worst in a world where Astana doesn’t exist. I guess maybe better than last year, but still atrocious. I’d love to hear the designer’s pitch on this one. I really struggle not to consider this the worst. Imagine being a pro and they hand you this to wear every day for a year.]
9. XDS Astana Team
Astana decided to add pink and green hues, and the results are nothing short of disastrous. The design feels chaotic and juvenile, like a kids’ toy factory gone rogue. It’s hard to take this kit seriously, and it’s a new low for a team that’s had far better designs in the past.
[Chad’s Note: Historically, they have had decent kits. Even last year’s Cavendish flavor was not bad. But they really took a turn for the gutter here. It looks like design by committee across a global MS Teams at midnight and everyone just got tired of arguing so they said “sure.” Plus, the kits look cheap. Weird.]
From Jayco’s purple revolution to Astana’s colorful chaos, 2025’s kits are as diverse as the riders wearing them. Who nailed it? Who missed the mark? Share your rankings and let’s get the kit conversation rolling!
RIDE TIME: 9 A.M.
ROUTE: SHAQ’S LOOP
START LOCATION: SpeedClub | Studio
659 Auburn Ave, Suite 152, Atlanta, Georgia 30312
FOR RIDE UPDATES: Weather cancellations or rain delays, please join the +SpeedClub Group on Strava, so we don't have to spam your inbox.
PACE: This is an advanced-skills-required endurance training ride. While we would love to welcome everyone, safety is our priority. Riding fast and close requires an element of trust that comes from knowing that everyone has the skills (not necessarily the strength) required. This is a drop ride.
NOTE: Please download the route to your bike computer before showing up for the ride.
WAIVER: Everyone is required to sign the waiver and rules.
MGR CORNER
Hey everyone!
This week brought some classic winter training challenges—rough weather and longer hours—but it’s all part of the grind. Volume is ticking up, intensity is layering in, and my routine is evolving with the season.
As I mentioned in last week’s column, sprints remain a constant in my training. No matter the time of year, that explosive power is something I always like to keep sharp. Quentin and I are hitting loads of sprints on +SpeedClub Saturdays. But the big addition this week? Tempo season has arrived.
For those unfamiliar, tempo work sits in a sweet spot between steady Zone 2 riding and the high-stress grind of threshold efforts. Think of it as the Goldilocks zone: not too easy, not too hard—just right. I’m incorporating 15–20 minute tempo blocks into my longer rides now, and it’s a fun way to bring some variety and excitement to those steady aerobic efforts.
The benefits of tempo work are huge, especially during the winter months. It’s all about nudging that aerobic threshold higher without piling on the physical stress of harder threshold efforts. These blocks are designed to keep the engine humming, building a strong foundation for the season ahead. It’s work you can recover from quickly, and it sets the stage for bigger efforts down the road.
I’m thrilled to announce a new partnership with Quoc Shoes for 2025. I first started racing in Quoc mid-2024 after purchasing a pair, and I was immediately hooked. Their craftsmanship, fit, and performance are unmatched, and it didn’t take long for me to realize these shoes were something special. Representing the brand in 2025 is a huge honor, and I can’t wait to put them to the test in all the big races ahead.
Happy riding,
MG
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