Caja Rural-Seguros RGA looks to the past with nostalgic Tour de France kit
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA will mark its return to the Tour de France with a jersey that looks firmly to the past. The Spanish team, back at the race for the first time in almost four decades, has unveiled a special kit inspired by the squad’s appearances in the late 1980s.
It makes Caja Rural the second team to present its Tour de France jersey for this year’s race, following Visma | Lease a Bike.
The green colours are familiar, but the design carries a clear reference to an earlier era. Caja Rural previously rode the Tour de France three times between 1987 and 1989, when Marino Lejarreta was one of the team’s defining figures. The Basque former rider, now aged 69, was present at the launch on Tuesday, underlining the link between the team’s current generation and its history.
According to the team, the jersey is intended to "combine tradition with the standards of modern racing clothing. Caja Rural said the kit honours its heritage while retaining the quality, technology and innovation expected from contemporary cycling apparel".
The special jersey will make its debut on 4 July, when the Tour de France starts in Barcelona. It will be worn exclusively during the French Grand Tour.
Caja Rural’s place on the start line came through one of ASO’s discretionary invitations. The organiser awarded its two wildcard places to Caja Rural-Seguros RGA and TotalEnergies, while Tudor Pro Cycling, Cofidis and Pinarello-Q36.5 secured entry as the highest ranked teams outside the WorldTour.
The invitation was a notable one. Unibet Rose Rockets had been considered serious contenders for a place, particularly after strengthening their squad with Dylan Groenewegen and Victor Lafay and bringing Marcel Kittel on board as sprint coach. Instead, ASO turned to Caja Rural, a decision likely influenced by the Spanish Grand Départ in Barcelona and by the team’s own reinforcements for 2026, led by former yellow jersey wearer Fernando Gaviria.
Gaviria was present at the kit launch alongside Abel Balderstone and Marino Lejarreta, with the trio among the first to appear in the new colours. The presentation also carried a more emotional note, as the team used the occasion to pay tribute to Jaume Guardeño.
The Spanish rider was involved in a serious training crash on 31 March and was recently transferred to a specialist rehabilitation centre for people with severe neurological injuries. During the Tour, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA will race with the hashtag #ForçaJaume on its kit, a message of support for the rider from Alicante as he continues his recovery.
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