ONE of the Classics and won by a local hero, the Bordeaux Paris race has been preserved in polyester

I’M fascinated by cycling history, the evolution of the bike, the great riders and the great races.

Combine at least two of those three with something you can wear and you’ve definitely got my attention.

Throw in the fact there’s a local link to this story and well...
Bordeaux-Paris is the event in question.

One of the Classics, it ran from 1891 until 1988, and was adjudged one of the longest single day races on the professional calendar at 350 miles.

It’s more typical for such races to finish well short of 200 miles.

To that end it’s probably no surprise that a good portion of the race was paced with riders allowed to draft and benefit from slipstreaming.

Among those who rode to glory in the event was one Tom Simpson.
Simpson, born in Haswell, County Durham, was the first British rider to wear the yellow jersey at the Tour de France, doing so in 1962.

A year later he took on Bordeaux-Paris, otherwise known as the ‘Derby of the Road’, emerging victorious more than five minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Tragedy followed in 1967, however, when Simpson collapsed and died during the Tour while on Mont Ventoux. He was just 29 years old.

In September 2017, Sir Bradley Wiggins unveiled a memorial to Simpson’s achievements in Haswell.

While circumstances surrounding Simpson’s death garner the most column inches, a cycle apparel company has sought to remind us instead of his achievement four years earlier.

Prendas Ciclismo, founded in 1996, is the firm in question.

The name translated from the Basque means simply cycle clothing and the aim of its founder was to provide top quality gear for people who struggled to match their needs locally.

The company’s website is a kaleidoscope of colour, with designs and names you probably won’t see anywhere else.

Ironically, the Bordeaux Paris jersey is in black and white, but is no means less striking with its almost ‘magic eye’ design by Santini of repeated P and Bs. Part of the Forgotten Races collection, it’s complimented by solid black arms and, on the reverse, a black band comprising four pockets, one with a zipper.

It’s here where you can find the reference to Tom Simpson. He’s featured on a derny bike, wearing a bowler hat and with the French Tricolour for company.

Handmade, it has an internal silicon gripper on the inside to prevent the jersey moving while out riding and has a full length zip to aid ventilation, something I appreciated during the recent hot spell.

To compliment the jersey, which sells for £64.99,  there’s also a matching cap and socks.