A modern pro cyclist doesn’t only need big watts, but a big wardrobe, too.
EF Education-Easy Post racer Harry Sweeny lifted the lid on the supersize kit-haul handed out to riders ahead of the 2024 race season in a YouTube vlog this week.
And it seems there’s enough swag to stock out your local bike shop.
“What do we reckon? Wow! Welcome to 2024,” Sweeny says, boggle-eyed, at the start of the video as he opens the trunk of a car loaded with thousands of dollars of team-branded goodies.
Suitcases of dazzling pink and yellow Rapha clothing, boxes of POC sunglasses, a handful of Wahoo headunits, and of course, two top-spec Cannondale bikes are just the headline items Sweeny took home from a recent team training camp in Girona.
Also read: EF Education-EasyPost poised for payoff in 2024
Sweeny, who joined EF Education-EasyPost this season after several years with Lotto-Dstny, goes on to run through every item in a stupid-size stash of top-of-the-range kit from some of cycling’s most drool-worthy brands.
Some 26 pairs of socks, 14 aero jerseys, 24 pairs of sunglass lenses, and 10 pairs of bib shorts are among the kilos of clothing, tech, and nutrition supplied to riders for the 2024 season by EF Education-EasyPost’s team partners.
Sweeny “only” took home one road bike and an MTB from his team camp. But he no doubt will have access to a time trial bike, more than one race-only road bike, and a mind-boggling array of wheels and components, all of which will be kept mint and perfectly maintained at the team’s service course by a fleet of mechanics.
And of course, that’s all on top of a salary likely to be comfortably in the six-figures for the 25-year-old Aussie pro cyclist.
Every team will differ in the volume of kit they supply pre-season, but Sweeny’s stash gives an intriguing insight into what fills a pro cyclist’s wardrobe, race bags, and travel cases.
While EF Education-EasyPost is a mid-budget WorldTour squad, suppliers like Rapha and Wahoo don’t cut back when it comes to sponsorship deals and marketing opportunities.
While some items – bike frames for example – may need to be returned at the end of every year, many will not, leaving riders with so much spare kit that many choose to donate it to good causes.
By the close of the video, the small lounge in Sweeny’s apartment is littered with thousands of dollars of loot.
“Where are you gonna put all this stuff, mate?” asks his flatmate.
“I have genuinely no idea,” Sweeny replies, looking slightly concerned.
It’s a nice problem to have.
Here’s a rundown of Sweeny’s swag:
Note this may be incomplete in places. There’s only so many items one hack can keep track of … you can check the full video below.
Cannondale Bikes:
- SuperSix EVO road bike
- 12-speed Shimano Dura-Ace groupset
- Vision Wheels
- Vittoria Cora tires
- FSA componoents
- Wahoo / Speedplay pedals
- Powerbox power meter
- Prologo saddle
- 7 x spare Wahoo / Speedplay cleats
- Scalpel Hi Mod 1 MTB
- Vittoria Mezcal tires
Rapha clothing (race and casual):
- 14 x Aero jersey
- 3 x Mid-weight jersey
- 5 x GoreTex jersey
- 3 x Training jersey
- 2 x Roadsuit
- 3 x Time trial suit
- 10 x Bib shorts
- Winter bib tights
- 8 x Armwarmers (pair)
- 8 x Knee and leg warmers (pairs)
- 3 x Time trial gloves
- 10 x Race gloves
- 26 x Socks (various types, pairs)
- 3 x Rain gilets
- 2 x Lightweight gilet
- Lightweight rain jacket
- 2 x Winter jacket
- Handful of hats and caps
- 4 x baselayers
- 4 x buffs
- Commuter jacket
- Sweatpants
- Explore pants
- 2 x Casual shorts
Wahoo tech:
- ELEMNT Rival watch
- ELEMNT Roam headunit
- ELEMNT Bolt headhunit
- Heart rate monitor
- Kickr trainer
- Headwind fan
- Trainer mat
- Trainer desk
POC sunglasses and helmet
- Race helmet
- Frames
- 24 x spare lenses of different shade / purpose
Amack Nutrition:
- Several kilos of various drink mix
- Bags full of gels
- Bags full of chews
Misc:
- Withings smart scale
- Bike travel bag
- Laundry bag
- Compression / flight wear