Sportful has been a longtime supporter of pro cycling and its long relationship with the Saxo sponsored teams has truly driven development with direct pro feedback. Currently the Tinkoff-Saxo team proudly partners with Sportful. The Grupetto Pro Bibshort is an excellent example of this relationship benefits consumers. Today's pro cyclist wants comfort, lightweight, exceptional moisture management, aerodynamics, and perfect fit. The right clothes for the job, right?

Those requirements, and the need to make a workhorse bib short, drove Sportul to create the Grupetto Pro. The material of the upper is a soft, fast wicking weave that features mesh on the bib straps and back. With just the right amount of stretch for perfect fit and comfort in the riding posture, the fabric keeps you cool and dry, while also housing the race radio pocket, which for most of us means our phone or mp3 player.

The real tech in the Gruppetto Pro resides in the short section. The panels have been cut and aligned to maximize compression along anatomical lines, and flat lock stitched seams have been placed to stay out of primary airflow zones. These features are matched with Lycra Power fabric, which provides excellent compression, and on the outer leg panels the AeroFlow Compress version features the same base fabric, but also a dimpled surface for slippery aerodynamics. We feel that the use of the same base material for both aero and non-aero zones is the reason the Gruppetto Pro has such a singular fit and and feel. Soft, seamless elastic leg openings keep the short in place without irritation or constriction. For the seat pad, Sportful designed the BodyfFit Pro with direct feedback from the pro teams. These cyclists typically spend upwards of 6-8 hours a day on the bike, and no matter how much you adapt to those requirements, the right padding and fit is required. The pad features infinitely variable padding where you need it, and less where you don't but in a tapered, gradual style. The anatomic and seamless construction works to reduce chafing and rubbing, and the soft cover also wicks away moisture. This pad was designed for an all day, aggressive riding posture making it the favored long distance pad of the pro riders, many of whom have made the Gruppetto Pro their everyday bib short. Will it be yours?