By Nick Butler

Professional rider Iris Slappendel, pictured in 2010, has been announced as the winner of the UCI competition ©AFP/Getty ImagesDecember 24 - Dutch professional cyclist Iris Slappendel has been announced as the winner of International Cycling Union's (UCI) competition to design a leader's jersey for the women's World Cup.


The aim of the competition is not only to modernise the design of the overall leaders jersey, but also define the jerseys worn by the racers leading the three new rankings - for best young rider, best sprinter and best climber - that will be introduced from next season.

Slappendel, who graduated with a degree in industrial product design in 2007, is currently a member as a member Radobank team primarily responsible for supporting teammate, compatriot and reigning Olympic champion Marianne Vos.

Alongside this she also works as a freelance designer, with products that include a range of bags and accessories made from used inner tubes, and the UCI competition allowed her to combine these two fields.

The winning design will feature on the four different winners jerseys ©UCIThe winning design will feature on the four different winners jerseys ©UCI







Her winning design incorporates the colours of the rainbow used on the existing World Cup jersey across the chest and with all four designs including the first letter of the classification in the shape of the rainbow stripes.

"I initially had three designs, one of which was chosen by the UCI for the next round," she said.

"I made some small improvements, and ultimately it has been chosen as the best of four entries that were left over."

"Iris Slappendel's project brings together all the expected qualities," said Andrea Marcellini, the UCI Women Cycling Coordinator.

"The concept she has developed is very complete and could almost be used as it is.

"It is an evolution in the visual identity of the UCI Women Road World Cup and incorporates a very contemporary eighties look.

"The fact that the winner is an active rider is definitely the icing on the cake."

Olympic champion Marianne Vos will be the favourite to win the overall jersey designed by her teammate ©AFP/Getty ImagesOlympic champion Marianne Vos will be the favourite to win the overall jersey designed by her teammate ©AFP/Getty Images


The 2014 UCI Women Road World Cup will include nine events - due to begin on March 15 in the Netherlands with the Boels Rental Ronde van Drenthe, and ending on August 30 in France with the GP of Plouay-Bretagne.

Phasing in the three new rankings will increase the attractiveness of this key series in the women's road cycling calendar, with boosting women's cycling one of the priorities for UCI President Brian Cookson's since he took over in September.

The prize for the competition, announced by the UCI in October, was to be a "World Cup Event invitation," which would transport the winning designer to one of the nine World Cup races, a three-night stay in a hotel and a jersey signed by the World Cup winner.

Exactly how this will be awarded to Slappendel, who will likely ride many of the races, has not be announced.