One of his objectives will be to test the materials and garments in extreme conditions, such as those offered by the South African race.
Source: press release
Vincenzo Nibali, one of only seven riders to have won the three Grand Tours, will race the 2023 Absa Cape Epic in Q36.5 technical cycling clothing.
The famous 8-stage mountain bike race that takes place in South Africa, starting on March 19 from Hermanus, will also see the former professional rider, Technical Ambassador of the Bolzano-based brand, at the start.
Nibali is preparing to face the more than 600 km and over 15.000 m of elevation gain of the extreme African mountain bike race with a kit made up of products from the new spring/summer 2023 collection, in a scenario that will lead him to push himself to the limit and beyond.
Vincenzo's kit is made up of the iconic and award-winning Unique shorts, the first seamless three-dimensional ergogenic bib shorts that adapt to the cyclist's body like a second skin, the R2 short-sleeved jersey, designed using a combination of different strategically placed fabrics and result of the detailed research of Q36.5, Unique Adventure shoes, the first shoes in the world with Body Mapping mapping that redefine comfort and performance, Zero Mesh technical underwear, Leggera sock, Air Vest and summer gloves (long fingers).
The products of the Q2023 SS36.5 collection are online on the q36-5.com website and in the best cycling shops.
VINCENZO NIBALI: THE TRANSITION FROM ROAD RACING TO MOUNTAINBIKE RACES
Below, Vincenzo talks about his transition from road racing to mountain bike racing, what fascinates him and what his goals are for the Cape Epic, which he will tackle wearing Q36.5 gear.
Q36.5: Dropping out of professional cycling racing but still wanting to challenge yourself.
VN: “Everyone followed my abandonment. After eighteen intense seasons, racing to the max, in which I collected many successes, I retired from professional road racing and a new chapter in my life began. The bike remains my great passion and my daily bread, as well as the desire to still try my hand at some competition, not at full capacity, but just for fun.”
Q36.5: What were your reasons for switching to MTB
VN: “MTB was my first passion, my first rides as a child were on a mountain bike. Then I switched to the street, because it offered more opportunities. MTB is hard work, but also fun and freedom, it allows you to pedal in geographically beautiful places and in contact with the purest nature.”
Q36.5: Why did you choose to run the Cape Epic and with what goals?
VN: “The project was born from the collaboration with Q36.5 of which I am ambassador and technical consultant. The objective of this project is to test the materials, to put them under stress, in extreme conditions such as high temperatures, but also in conditions of dust, mud, dirt, and to test the durability of the materials, the breathability and all fundamental factors that are required to produce high performance clothing.
