From the Archives - Dura-Ace Jersey

In 1973 Shimano released the Dura-Ace component range, their highest level of equipment for road bikes and a jersey was given to Condor to celebrate the launch of Dura-Ace.

What makes this top special, is that at the time it was highly unusual to find that the logos are not embroidered onto the material, instead, the graphics have been flocked onto the jersey.

At the time this was a revolutionary way to put detail onto a cycling jersey and towards the late seventies embroidery began to be used less and less as flocking became more popular because it offered more flexibility with design.

It wasn't until 1988 though, that Shimano Dura-Ace got its first win in a Grand Tour thanks to Andy Hampsten at the Giro d'Italia.