According to Heijboer, internal research has shown that the color of a jersey hardly leads to significant differences. “We conducted multiple tests in climate chambers, where solar radiation is simulated. In these tests, we examined how quickly the temperature rises underneath a jersey. We also carried out tests using mannequins that can sweat. All results show that the choice of fabric plays a much greater role than the color.”
Nimbl
When producing jerseys and other on-bike apparel, Team Visma | Lease a Bike can rely on Nimbl. The Italian company places strong emphasis on craftsmanship and innovation, and conducts its own research to deliver the highest possible quality. Heijboer is pleased with Nimbl as a partner. “Nimbl has grown alongside us and understands exactly how we approach things. They work from the principle of making us faster. That doesn’t just mean improving aerodynamics, but also developing clothing that allows heat to dissipate effectively.”
As Head of Performance, Heijboer is involved in the jersey’s design from an early stage, focusing primarily on performance. “We could create something very eye-catching, but the starting point is that we want to keep riding as fast as possible. This year, we carried out additional tests with colors and fabrics, because naturally we don’t want to create any disadvantage. Those tests confirmed what we already knew: fabric makes a much bigger difference than color.”