As the 2024 Road World Championships take place in Zurich, Switzerland, this week, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Santini Cycling have launched a competition to redesign “the World Champion rainbow jersey of the future.” But does this iconic jersey really need a makeover?
Since its debut in 1927 at the inaugural UCI World Championships, the Rainbow Jersey has symbolized the pinnacle of achievement in cycling. Its design features five horizontal stripes—blue, red, black, yellow, and green—representing the continents. While there are seven continents, the five stripes align with a long-standing athletic tradition, similar to the Olympic rings. The stripes represent Africa, the Americas (North and South America combined), Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with Antarctica excluded due to its uninhabited status.
The right to wear the Rainbow Jersey is reserved for the reigning World Champion in each cycling discipline (unless you’re a U23 World Champ racing with the elites). This exclusivity has cemented its status as one of cycling’s most revered symbols, with its design remaining largely unchanged for nearly a century.
However, the UCI’s new competition isn’t aiming for a radical overhaul but rather a creative reimagining. Contestants are tasked with offering a fresh twist on the jersey while preserving its essential elements—the iconic rainbow stripes in their current colors. The competition is open to everyone, from professional designers to cycling enthusiasts, with submissions accepted through social media or at Santini booths during the event in Zurich, Switzerland, which runs from September 21-29. Entries close on Sunday, September 29, at 23:59 CET.
But, is it simply a marketing gimmick, considering the rainbow stripes must remain intact? While the contest offers a platform for designers and generates some buzz, it seems unlikely the jersey will undergo any substantial change. It feels like a low-risk attempt by the UCI to appear forward-thinking while keeping the design rooted in tradition. Designers face limited creative freedom, with little chance of leaving a lasting impact.
Nevertheless, the competition has sparked debate: is it time to refresh this sacred emblem of the sport, or does the jersey already perfectly embody cycling’s heritage? Could any tweaks dilute its legacy, or might they inject fresh energy and attract new fans?
For those interested in participating, the official design template is available online. The winning design will be chosen by a jury of UCI and Santini officials and announced on October 10. The winner will receive a custom jersey featuring their design and a selection of exclusive Santini x UCI products.
Rosael is a writer and editor based in Philadelphia (Lenape land), where she enjoys the city’s obsession with sports and its accessible trail systems and cycling community. She has a bachelor’s in Communications and Journalism from the University of Puerto Rico.
