The Changeout: Upcycling Pro Cycling

Over the decades, Cannondale pro tour teams have established an unofficial tradition of livery – seen on kits, bikes, team buses, gear, etc. – that boasts eye-catching colors and designs. From the black-and-white striped prison inmate-themed “Legalize My Cannondale” days, to our most recent Palace x Rapha x Cannondale collaboration, we’re proud that Cannondale teams never go unnoticed.

This year, as the 2023 Giro d’Italia nears, the tradition of making a statement remains, but with a twist: an eye on a greener future. Cannondale, Rapha, and EF’s “Hello Zero” initiative aligned on a whole new approach to the teams’ livery. It’s called The Changeout.

But the kits and bikes will only be the most visible elements of a broader initiative. An onboard water filtration system on team buses will spare the production of around 20,000 liters’ worth of plastic bottles that otherwise goes towards hydrating athletes. Team mechanics will utilize low-impact lubricants and chemicals, and reusable work gloves instead of the far more common one-time-use ones.

Cycling’s impact on the environment transcends the reduction of our planet’s dependence on cars. We can and will do more, as we learn different ways to minimize material use, recycle what we can, and create products that won’t hang around the planet longer than we want them to. Watch our video here to learn more about the designs of Cannondale’s bikes this year and click the links below to see even more.