A Q&A with Lukas Baum & Georg Egger
With the launch of the new Speed Company Racing team kit and merchandise, developed in collaboration with CIOVITA, we caught up with Lukas Baum and Georg Egger to learn more about their approach to racing, the inspiration behind the new design, and what this partnership means for the team.
We sent them a few questions about training, racing, apparel, and the collaboration. Here are their answers.
Racing demands sustained performance over long distances. How does your approach to training and racing reflect that level of precision and endurance?
Knowing what is required at the specific races, our approach is to reverse engineer the training accordingly. In general you could say that it is split into the 80/20 approach of long endurance rides and intense efforts, where we include a technical component for mountain bike races and specific motor paced efforts for gravel races.
Off-road conditions are unpredictable. How important is technical apparel in maintaining comfort, focus, and performance during long races?
As much as we would like to influence the outcome of a race there is always a type of luck and unpredictability involved in a race and you have to be ok with the uncertainty and be ready to deal with it on the go. However there are certain factors you can definitely influence beforehand to take stress away from you, so you just focus on the task ahead. Having an apparel partner you can rely on, wearing apparel which is headache free, is absolutely crucial and will benefit you in the long run for sure.
With the new kit and merchandise designed in collaboration with CIOVITA, what were the key performance and design elements you wanted to prioritise?
We chose the bib and jersey with three priorities in mind, comfortable, breathable and aero. You can definitely argue about the design, this is as you know always super personal, but I think we found something which incorporates the CI of SCR and the vibe of South Africa.
What does this partnership with CIOVITA mean for Speed Company Racing and the team’s journey?
The partnership with CIOVITA means a further rooted and stronger connection to South Africa as we already have. We are beyond happy to find a partner which helps us visualizing our thoughts and vibes on and off the bike in the shape of apparel.
As the new kit and merchandise launch, what does this next chapter represent for the team and your community?
It is an opportunity to grow both our communities and give something back to all the supporters out there beyond South Africa.
What inspired the design and look of the new kit and merchandise, and how does it reflect the team’s identity?
The colour violet was part of our CI since day one, so it came natural to also include it in some shape or form. Like with all our design ideas so far, we were inspired by things we saw around us. From galaxies in the sky to animal patterns, we looked now towards shading and patterns found in floral motives. This evolved in a more abstract approach but I hope some of you will be reminded of violet flowers.
How do you test or evaluate apparel and gear to ensure it performs under real race conditions?
Doing some 30 hour training weeks under the brutal South African sun puts any material to the test. It performed flawlessly and found the perfect match.
Collaboration is key in endurance sports. How has working with CIOVITA influenced the development of your new kit?
We bounced ideas off each other and CIOVITA found a way of translating our ideas into reality. Neither of us have any digital design background but we found a common language and we are super happy to present you with the final product.
Off-road racing is both physical and mental. How do you balance performance, focus, and comfort during long rides?
The mental aspect is something many people overlook. As professionals it is part of our job to spend hours on end on the bike, but with a clear goal in mind, like upcoming races or even easier achievable goals like the after training flat white, you can make the time go by much easier.
How do you see this partnership with CIOVITA supporting the growth of Speed Company Racing in the next season?
With strong products and a clear but individual design language we are certain to be able to perform on the highest level and at the same time, take our community on a ride with us.
Do you remember your first interaction with CIOVITA? What was your initial impression of the brand?
The first contact we had was the privilege to wear the leader’s jersey at the ABSA Cape Epic in 2022. Then we wore the jersey during some Epic Series events and we were impressed by the fit from the get go. How does this “unheard” brand from South Africa feel just as good, if not better, than any established brand on the market? CIOVITA impressed us from day one and look where we are now.
Speed Company Racing continues to push the boundaries of off-road performance, combining endurance, precision, and a strong sense of identity both on and off the bike. As this new chapter begins with the launch of their latest kit and merchandise, we’re proud to support Lukas and Georg on their journey.
Kit available through exclusive early access at Stellenbosch Store and online late March for worldwide order shipping.
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