The new kits for 2006 are slowly dribbling out. Some teams have stayed the same, such as Bouyges Telecom and T-Mobile, while others are changed for various reasons.
Each year provides subtle gasps at the Euro-uglyness of some team kit, or the new cool style. Case in point is the Lampre team kit for 2006. Squares in non-symetrical alignment just don’t do it for me or anyone else. What is with the pink? It is distinctive, but it is not a corporate color for either Lampre or Fondital. Damiano Cunego does not look to happy with the new style. His face seems to be saying, who the heck decided on this design? Blah. The new kit is designed by Santini which usually makes some classy kits, but this one is average by comparison.
Winning races does make the kit look cooler, so we will have to see what the final verdict for the Lampre new look will be at the end of the season.
One feature that makes this kit stand out more is the toning down of the blue color. With several teams already sporting a mostly blue kit, there is fear that it would be hard to notice different teams. Remember Paris Roubaix 2005? Boonen, Hincapie and Flecha all had blue team kits, and they each looked a bit similar. It was hard to tell from some helicopter shots just who was who since they each blended in blue with grey or white. So points go to Lampre for adding a bit more pink to the kit to make it stand out more. Just don’t ride to close to any T-Mobile guys.
THUNDER
Velochimp, Van Hout aint riding for Selle Italia. They stiffed him and my by Trent Wilson