An aero technology pioneer within the industry, Castelli has been shaping the Free Aero Race S Bib Shorts for 15 years and the Aero Race 8S Jersey for nearly 20. Most recently, it’s harnessed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) engineering to hide seams from the wind and place fabrics to encourage smooth airflow and minimise disruption.

Performance fabrics are at the heart of the jersey and bib shorts. The ribbed shoulder fabric of the Aero Race 8S has been engineered for speed, incorporating the benefits of the Bolero Short Sleeve Base Layer into the jersey itself, while the Free Aero bibs’ Forza2 Stretch fabric includes stripes crafted for optimised aerodynamics.

Both garments have been refined at racing speeds in the world-leading Politecnico di Milano wind tunnel. The Aero Race 8S Jersey delivers 6% coefficient of aerodynamic drag (CdA) savings over previous editions, so riders wearing it will travel at 40.8 rather than 40kmph at the same wattage. Meanwhile, the Free Aero Race S Bib Shorts with small stripes deliver 3% CdA savings over those with no or 20mm stripes, so riders will travel at 40.4 rather than 40kmph.

The jersey and bib shorts have been thoroughly tested by Castelli’s global ambassadors, at the same racing speeds of 40 and 50kmph, on real roads. The Aero Race 8S delivers 2% CdA savings in this environment, while the Free Aero bibs deliver 1% savings.

Dressing for speed doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort. The Aero Race 8S is made from stretchy body fabric that is not only form fitting but feels great against the skin. The Free Aero bibs, meanwhile, offer exceptional muscle support and compression over long distances, without constriction, and feature the pros’ favourite seat pad, the Progetto X² Air Seamless, with progressive damping for support in any position.