Sir Paul Smith unveils his Giro D’Italia jerseys

Sir Paul Smith has revealed the four jerseys he has designed for this year’s Giro d’Italia.

The fashion designer and cycle enthusiast got involved after an informal meeting with race organiser RCS Sport during the 2011 Giro.

Sir Paul Smith explained: “Having been a huge cycling enthusiast and follower of the major tours and classics for many years, it’s an absolute privilege to be asked to design the four jerseys for the Giro d’Italia…I hope that the simple approach that I’ve made is acceptable to you all; putting red piping with the pink, cleaning all of the jerseys up to keep them as simple as possible and adding a little drawing of a cyclist by myself onto the jerseys.”

Each Giro d’Italia official jersey, produced for the 17th consecutive year by Santini, feature Sir Paul Smith details including the British designer’s signature on the jerseys’ collar and the iconic Paul Smith stripes on the left sleeves. The inside of the collar of the Maglia Rosa also bears the signature of the late Fiorenzo Magni as a tribute to the three times Giro winner who died last year.

Exclusive Santini distributor Fisher Outdoor Leisure said: "This is a major opportunity for dealers in what promises to be one of the best promoted Giros in years."

As well as leaders jerseys (retailing at £64.99) Fisher will also be bringing in a limited edition Giro 2103 fashion line and stage jerseys celebrating: Stage number 3 from Sorrento, Tre Cime di Lavaredo (the climb that will crown the winner), a Treviso Pinarello jersey (stage 12 ends in the city of Treviso, home of the Pinarello family). Finally Santini has created the Fiorenzo Magni jersey.

Stock arrives in March.

This year will be the 96th edition of the Giro, which began in 1909. The race will start on May 4th with the Grand Departure in Naples. The riders will then face 21 stages (23 days in total including two rest days) finishing up on May 26th in the Lombardy city of Brescia. The Maglia Rosa also has a new sponsor this year in the shape of confectionery firm Balocco.

For more information on Santini products contact Fisher Outdoor www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

Above; Monica and Paola Santini with Sir Paul Smith