For the construction of the jersey, Rapha has used what it calls an eyelet-based mesh for the front, which is claims provides a better structure than an open mesh fabric. There's a much more open mesh used in the side panel, and the shoulders and back panel are made from a solid fabric, to help resist sunburn, a potential risk when wearing such a meshy jersey.

The fit is excellent, as I've come to expect from the Pro Team range, but it's clear it's been designed with skinny professional athletes in mind. It's figure hugging, very well fitted, but there's no restriction around the shoulders when climbing out of the saddle. There are two stabilising bonding lines running up the rear of the jersey and these, along with a high stretch fabric on the outside of the pockets, ensure that the pockets don't sag to your buttocks and beyond even when fully laden.

A full-length zip is a essential on a climbing jersey so you can open it all the way for the full pro look, and extra cooling of course. Rapha has neatly added two small tabs of heavier material to the end of the full-length zipper, which makes it easier to locate and zip an open jersey back up again at the top of the climb.