This article first appeared on Cyclingnews.
Chris Froome and Team Sky are set to race in a new kit at the Tour de France. Partnering with Sky Ocean Rescue, the British WorldTour team has also pledged to remove all single-use plastic from the operation by 2020.
Although Froome’s participation at the Tour de France is uncertain due to his ongoing salbutamol case stemming from last year’s Vuelta a Espana, he is excited about the partnership.
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“It’s great that the team are getting behind such an important issue – one that is having a huge impact in the world we live in today,” Froome said via a press release from Team Sky.
“The special-edition kit is fantastic and will really help to raise awareness at the Tour de France, but it’s important that the legacy continues after that, as we look to build on the amazing work Sky have done so far with their Sky Ocean Rescue campaign with our own ‘Race to 2020’ commitment.”
The new kit, produced by Castelli, remains predominately white but has the Sky Ocean Rescue banner on the chest. The back of the jersey features a graphic of an orca. The press release also states that Team Sky riders will wear a bespoke version of the jersey, exclusively developed from ocean plastic material, at the Tour France teams’ presentation.
In order to clear up any possible confusion, Team Sky clarified that their riders would not be racing in the jersey made from ocean plastic.
“The performance of Team Sky’s clothing is a major priority and the number of different items required for performance is significant. As such, we are not in a position to wear the jersey made from ocean plastic for the Tour de France itself this year. As well as wearing the jersey at the Team presentation, our riders will also wear the bespoke kit for any potential podium activity during the Tour de France.”
This is not the first time Team Sky have changed their kit for a worthy cause. In 2011 they wore arguably their best-ever kit for the Rainforest Rescue.