This year’s Tour of Britain classification leaders will be recognisable in the peloton via a tie-up with returning jersey partner Le Col.
The UK’s leading men’s pro cycling race has appointed the London-based apparel firm as its official jersey partner for the 2023 edition, which takes place on September 3-10, 2023. Le Col will supply the four classification jerseys (overall leader’s jersey; cottages.com points jersey; King of the Mountains jersey; and best young rider jersey) for the race this September.
The announcement marks the revival of a partnership that saw Le Col work with the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour in 2018 and 2019. This saw race classification leaders presented with jerseys made from 100% recycled fabric – a first for any professional cycle race at the time.
Le Col founder, Yanto Barker, also has a direct personal link to the race, having competed in the Tour of Britain on six occasions during his riding career. He was also the highest placed British finisher in 2005.
“It is a pleasure to be, once again, partnering with the Tour of Britain,” said Barker. “This race will always have a special meaning to me, having raced in it many times.
“We’re so excited to be back partnering with the Tour of Britain, the biggest race on the British calendar. Le Col are dedicated to keeping the British racing scene alive, including at a domestic level, so investing in British races and events is one of our top priorities.”
Details of the first of the race’s jerseys were revealed last month, when cottages.com – a leading UK provider of holiday cottages and luxury homes – was unveiled as the points competition partner.
Since its return in 2004, the Tour of Britain has reportedly had over 15 million people watch the event in person, with the race generating over £330m for the UK economy to date. Former winners include Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (2018), the two-time world champion, and Belgian star Wout van Aert (2021), while British sporting hero Mark Cavendish holds the record for the most stage victories (10).
Hugh Roberts, Tour of Britain Chief Executive, said “Le Col clothing combines an unmistakable quality with distinctive Britishness, which is why we’re immensely proud to unveil them as the Tour of Britain’s official jersey partner for 2023.
“Promoting authentic British brands, products and locations is at the heart of what we do. Today’s announcement will no doubt prove popular among race fans, and we have no doubt that the reveal of the four leaders’ jerseys will be received with even more enthusiasm.”
The Tour of Britain 2023 will begin in Greater Manchester on Sunday, September 3, and culminate eight stages later in South Wales (Sunday, September 10). Along the way the riders will race through Wrexham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Essex.
ITV4 will continue to broadcast live flag-to-flag coverage of every stage, as well as a daily highlights show. International coverage will be available in over 150 countries courtesy of Eurosport and GCN+.
www.tourofbritain.co.uk
www.lecol.cc
