Alé Launches its Sonny Colbrelli Capsule Collection

The Sonny Colbrelli Capsule Collection from Alé celebrates his ten year professional career.

Alé has produced a ‘capsule’ to celebrate the career of Italian pro Sonny Colbrelli. Colbrelli’s career was cut short when he suffered a cardiac arrest after coming 2nd on stage two of the Volta a Catalunya in 2022. Diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, Colbrelli was fitted with a subcutaneous implantable defibrillator. Being fitted with a defibrillator meant Sonny was not allowed to race again under Italian sporting rules.

During his time racing Sonny Colbrelli chalked up an impressive list of victories, the highlights of which included European and Italian road race jerseys and many stage wins. His most memorable win though was Paris-Roubaix, which he won on his first attempt. What made it particularly memorable was that it was the first wet Roubaix since 2002; and Colbrelli’s celebration!

Sonny Colbrelli ‘the cobra’ collection

So to celebrate his career Alé unveiled the Sonny Colbrelli Capsule Collection at the 2023 Italian Bike Festival in Misano. The collection is made up of a jersey and shorts from the Alé PR-R line (Pro-Team Replica). Colbrelli’s nickname was ‘the cobra’ and Alé have worked that into the grey and black pattern of the jersey. There’s also a black cobra on the chest, while the back has a coloured stripe. This stripe represents his European and Italian championships and of course, that Paris-Roubaix victory.

The jersey has been designed using body-mapping technology, using four different fabrics. Alé say these are “strategically positioned to achieve the right balance between comfort and performance”. The front uses MICROFORATED LIGHT which is a quick-drying, breathable fabric. The back uses GEO LIGHT, which is light and stretchy, while PIUMA mesh on the sides helps with wicking. Lastly the raw-cut sleeves use AERO MINI RIB, this has a channelled structure to help with aerodynamics.

The bib-shorts that pair with the jersey are again designed using Alé’s body-mapping system. This along with the multi-panel construction should produce a short that fits everyone. A high density Lycra fabric called MATRIX, is used for the main body. It has a ‘calendared’ surface that “favours adherence to the saddle.” I assume the last means that it holds you in place on the saddle. Meanwhile silicone dots keep the leg hems in place. The rear of the bib is has an elasticated mesh to help prevent excessive sweat. A 4HF pad is held in place with ‘Tri-Stich’ stitching, to improve elasticity and reduce tearing.

Quotes from the presentation

Alessia Piccolo – CEO of APG, the company to which Alé belongs – commented: “When a champion like Sonny Colbrelli chooses you to launch his own line of garments, it is pure pleasure and much, much pride. We put the best of our textile technology at his disposal, to create an outfit that would live up to his achievements.”

At the presentation, Sonny Colbrelli said: “I have raced with Alé garments for a good part of my career. When I was at Bahrain Victorious, I was able to experience the quality of their fabrics, the excellent fit and the technology behind their clothing. By wearing Alé I achieved my greatest victories thus choosing Alé for my first Capsule Collection was a natural fit!”

Sonny Colbrelli’s Capsule Collection is available for purchase now, suggested retail price for the jersey is €99.90 and €119.90 for the bib-shorts. If you would like to learn more about Sonny’s career, watch the GCN film here.