Running the numbers, the total amount of Gobik's clothing at the UAE Team Emiratescounting everything from what we see, jersey and bib shorts, among other garments, to the less public, from undershirts to musettes, goes up to 20,000 piecesa number large enough to imagine the level of work involved in being the skin of one of the best teams in the world.
The figure was provided by Gobik production, Angel Lencinawho adds another number to the collection: "The complete kit of pieces that we manufacture for each runner, as we are talking about a work of a brutal customization, goes to 49 garments."
Very small changes to the jersey
Without a doubt the jersey is the icing on the cake, the most identifiable piece in the peloton and the most requested by the fan. For 2022, the design has changed as little as possible: "They were happy with the image we achieved last year and the changes have been very small -They were happy with the image we achieved last year and the changes have been very small," Angel continues. To say the least, the configuration of the flag in the center of the chest has changed, from being more geometric, this time we reflected it in a blurred brushstroke".
The truth is that there are no major changes in the sponsors and that also contributes to the aesthetic bet remains almost intact. The hallmarks of the armor of the UAE Team Emirates are kept intactThe red to black gradient of the sleeves, the golden lines and the large name in the center of the chest.
These golds are not only elegant, but also give light to the garment and are combined with the name of the runner on the inside of the sleeve.It's not usual to wear it in that area, but it's a but it looks especially when the cyclist wins a race and raises his arms as he crosses the finish line.”.
The base jersey of the UAE Team Emirates remains the reference ".Infinity"for a large part of the year, except in summer, when the "Carrera", "much lighter and more breathable", comes into play.
Something similar happens with the bib shortswhich remains the same as last year. In this case the "Absolute WT"for most of the season, and the "Absolute Air" for the summer.
It also happens that there are racers who prefer to compete with a full coverall.There are also riders who prefer to compete in a full overall, even in stages on the line, and not only the sprinters for aerodynamic reasons. "It just so happens that Tadej Pogačar competed and won Lombardy with one of these divers" Angel points out about a piece that is the sum.
The first layerso important to regulate body temperature of the cyclist, goes through three levels of garmentalways linked to the time of the year: from the fine mesh that signifies the "Second skinto the warm merino T-shirt, passing through the "T-shirt".Limber"a second, more consistent skin.
The crown jewel of customization is the "Relativity" time trial coverall.
It is a constantly evolving reference. Here, the fit is brutalThe fit here is brutal, an almost goldsmith work that goes from the leg and sleeve lengths to the correction of any creases that bother the rider.
"The rider's feedback here is sustained over time, especially when they do the velodrome tests," says Angel. The time trial kit is completed with a special boot cover.
The evolution of cold weather clothing
Among the innovations that Gobik has brought out this winter, ethe launch of the "Black Edition", in collaboration with Polartec, had its kilometer zero at the UAE Team Emirates. The runner's kit includes, without going any further, up to three versions of the jacket ".EnvyThe runner's kit includes, for example, up to three versions of the " jacket, from the long-sleeved one, good for training, to the short-sleeved one and the vest.
Last year, cyclists already had a set of vests, in particular the " " jacket.Plus 2.0", a windbreaker that became famous the day that Pogačar used it in the famous Tirreno stage in Castelfidardo.
The Armour seems to be more specific for training
"especially for those runners who live in colder climates" specifies Angel who talks about a novelty for the year we are starting: “A thermo-sealed rain jacket and very light for very extreme climates and very heavy rain".
In this aspect, Gobik does not rule out testing new garments with a view to release in 2023. through feedback from members of the UAE Team Emirates.
The closet of a WT team rider
Complete with caps vintage for the podium, socks, both normal and aero, a set of knee pads, sleeves and leggings, in lighter or non-light versions, depending on the weather.
We conclude our journey through the clothing Gobik has for the family of the UAE Team Emirates, family, from the same vests used by the cyclists, although somewhat looser, so that they can be easily identified at the aid stations, to normal jerseys and bottle-holder vests that allow carrying water bottles on the front and back to put the icing on the cake to the immense work and level of demand that involves working with one of the best teams in the world.
