Le Col revamps Hors Categorie collection among creative summer launch
Le Col discovers some new Hors Categorie climbs in the UK as its marketing team is forced to innovate
As a result of COVID-19 lockdown, the traditional method of launching a new product with curated onsite photography of some exotic cycling location has not been possible.
Le Col has reacted to this challenge in a novel way – by faking it. Company founder, Yanto Barker, had relished adapting to the new normal. “It has been challenging to launch our Spring Summer kit in the way we have done in previous years. Instead of fighting it, or looking for loopholes, we decided to embrace it and show off our creative side.”
Hors Categorie mountains on UK shores
Using printed backdrops, Le Col’s marketing team managed to bring Europe's best cycling destinations to the United Kingdom. The two perspectives of Le Col’s new cycling gear we have used on this page, clearly show how a French Alpine climb was captured in all its glory, with a rider on rollers, at an English coastal venue.
As part of the new 2021 spring and summer product range, Le Col has introduced its Hors Categorie bib shorts. Designed to help riders remain comfortable and focussed, on the steepest of climbing gradients, these bib shorts have better moisture management and longer leg grippers.
Rider comfort is further enhanced by Le Col’s material selection for the Hors Categorie bib shorts, which are constructed from the finest Italian lightweight fabrics. The textile choice provides excellent breathability, which is crucial when climbing, where airflow is at a minimum due to low moving speeds.
Le Col’s Hors Categorie bib shorts are priced at £180 and available in three colourways: black/white, all black and finally navy/white.
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Lance Branquinho is a Namibian born media professional, with 15-years of experience in technology and engineering journalism covering anything with wheels. Being from Namibia, he knows a good gravel road when he sees one, and he has raced some of Africa’s best-known mountain bike stage races, such as Wines2Wales and Berg&Bush.