The EF Classics Collection

Embodying Rapha’s love for Europe’s greatest one-day races, the techno-tinged cacophony of Flanders is juxtaposed by the operatic tranquillity of Lombardia in the north of Italy. If you’ve ever attended a pro bike race, in particular one of Europe’s classics or grand tours, you’ll know just how intoxicating the adrenaline and noise can be – and that’s just the fans. These two races for us bookend the classics calendar, epitomising the excitement and energy of the arrival of the racing season, and the contentment and calmness of its conclusion.

De Ronde

Spring’s cruellest and most captivating

The race of the Flandriens,

The cobbles and chaos

Riders of elegance, martyrs of grit,

Simpson, Boonen, Cooke and Kopecky,

Hup hup hup! Crash-bang-wallop, 

Beer-fuelled fanatics from Belgium to Melbourne

Crammed on the Kapelmuur, Kwaremont, Koppenberg,

De Ronde the most beautiful, brutal and wild.

Il Lombardia

The calming mists and Falling Leaves

Our final and most mellow-flamed of Monuments;

Close-packed peloton beside the blinking sun,

The poetry of pedalling against history,

Speed-boats bob beneath the mountains’ shadows,

And the opera of Autumn wind, rain and the tifosi;

Coppi, Merckx, Nibali and Pogačar*,

Brianza, Sormano, Gallo and Ghisallo

Time moves fast, Il Lombardia per sempre.

*There is no professional women’s Lombardia race (yet)

This season, EF Pro Cycling’s brave women and men have travelled and battled through it all. From Alberto Bettiol sniping his way to win Milano-Torino to Clara Emond escaping to victory at the Giro Donne. More punchy exploits from Ben Healy at the Tour in pink was perfectly punctuated by Richard Carapaz claiming the polka dots in Nice. Back in Paris Kristen Faulkner stole gold (twice) and we cannot forget our man with the unpredictable plan, Lachlan Morton taking a very deserved win at the world’s most prestigious gravel race, Unbound.

2024 is undoubtedly a year for us to celebrate, but also meditate on all that we’ve witnessed from the team, looking good and going fast. We can’t wait to see what next season reveals on the road and beyond.