The UCI has confirmed that they have given permission to Alpecin-Fenix to wear their special 'Poupou' jersey on the road at stage one of the Tour de France 2021.
Alpecin-Fenix made the jersey to wear at the team presentation as a nod to Mathieu van der Poel's late grandfather, Raymond Poulidor, who wore the colours when he rode for Mercier-BP-Hutchinson in the 60s and 70s.
It wasn't sure if the team would get all the kit in time for the start of the race in Brest but the kit makers, Kalas, managed to make a skinsuit for Van der Poel and get it over to Brittany in time for the race.
>>> Tour de France live: Updates from the punchy opening stage in the 2021 edition
This is Van der Poel's first Grand Tour and first Tour de France, 45 years after his grandfather’s last.
In a press release the UCI said: "The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to announce that it has exceptionally granted permission to UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix to wear a special jersey in honour of Raymond Poulidor on today’s opening stage of the Tour de France.
"Although it had been agreed between the team, the UCI and organisers Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), that the jersey would be worn at the Team Presentation only, the UCI has now allowed the riders to wear the jersey on Saturday’s first stage between Brest and Landerneau.
"The UCI believes that the positive impact surrounding the special jersey in honour of one of the great names of cycling merits making an exception to the UCI Regulations by allowing it to be worn on the first stage.
"From stage two of the 2021 Tour de France, the Alpecin-Fenix riders will return to racing in their UCI-approved team jersey."
It is a stunning kit with the bright purple and custard yellow really brings another layer of colour with not many teams using those colours, purple especially. It also means that the kit won't clash with Ineos Grenadiers in the opening stage at least.
Unfortunately, the jersey will not be worn on stage two or the rest of the race as the team, UCI and ASO have decided that it will only be for the opening stage.
It may give Van der Poel even more power on the final climb as he rides in the same colours as his grandad as he goes for the stage win and the yellow jersey.
