Over the past two seasons Pearl Izumi has worked with the riders of Team BMC to develop the Aero Mesh Speed Jersey. For the USA Pro Cycling Challenge going on this week in Colorado, the race leaders' jerseys are sublimated versions of this Speed Jersey, and Pearl Izumi is selling a limited-edition run at the race, too.
"We wanted to make the exact same jersey that the leaders wear during the race available to the general public in a limited edition color," Pearl Izumi ride brand manager Andrew Hammond told BikeRadar.
The Aero Speed Mesh Jersey uses a relatively long sleeve without any sort of gripper or hem in a cut Pearl Izumi calls 'speed sleeve', referring to a forward-arm bias on the jersey so the material is smooth when the rider is on the bike. The jersey has Transfer Aero fabric across the shoulders and and sleeves with a mesh front and back. Oh, and it's cut really, really small, too. The sample shown here is a size XL on a rider who normally wears M or M/L in Pearl sizing. Pearl is selling the jerseys in S-XXL for US$200.
Race fans in Colorado can check out the jersey in the limited edition black design at the stage finishes of the USA Pro Challenge this week. For complete race coverage of the USA Pro Challenge, check out cyclingnews.com.
The Speed Sleeve cut is designed to eliminate wrinkles when on the bike
