Denim is back as Alpecin-Deceuninck unveil 'daring' new kit

Cycling’s obsession with denim just won’t go away, with Alpecin-Deceuninck the latest pro team to dabble with a look inspired by a Levi’s catalogue.

The Belgian team, home to the men’s road race world champion Mathieu van der Poel, unveiled a new 2024 kit on Thursday, after starting the season in the outfits they used in 2023.

The switch has been made following the conclusion of the cyclo-cross season, and the new look will be debuted at the UAE Tour next week.

“The denim kit is representing our team’s perspective for 2024: daring to stand out, while keeping our feet on the ground,” read a press release from the team. “Working hard together, while having fun together. Because jeans are great for any occasion, no?”

The material is not real denim, although Rosti did manage to create some stretch-denim shorts for the AG2R team to use at last year’s Strade Bianche.

Alpecin-Deceuninck’s clothing supplier Kalas, describing the jersey as ‘denim-effect’, is vague on the materials used, stating that it’s a combination of “several types of fabrics”.

© Kalas / Alpecin-Deceuninck

A closer look at the new threads

The ‘Stripes’ material on the shoulders and sleeves, which feature shallow ribs and channels for aerodynamic airflow, are made from polyester and elastane, while the main panels are simply referred to as “stretchy material”.

The shorts are made from a ‘4-way stretch Lycra Power fabric’, while the denim look continues onto accessories such as a gilet and casquette.

This is not pro cycling’s first dalliance with denim. We’ve mentioned the AG2R shorts, but this new kit will bring back memories of the Carrera team from the 1990s.

The Italian squad was sponsored by a jeans company, and raced for numerous seasons in faux-denim shorts, and even jerseys. Marco Pantani and Stephen Roche were two of the sport’s very biggest stars of all time to rock denim in the world’s biggest races.

It wasn't specifically denim, but the Castorama team, of a similar vintage, continued the real-life clothing theme with their memorable dungarees design.

What do you think of Alpecin-Deceuninck’s denim look? Let us know in the comments below.