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research-and-daring-questionnaire-ivan-alberto-cape-epic

Research&Daring Questionnaire: Ivan&Alberto at Cape Epic

In March, part of the internal Q36.5 R&D team, Alberto Bianchi and former Italian National Road Champion Ivan Santaromita tackled the iconic Cape Epic mountain bike stage race in South Africa in an adventure that was equal parts athletic enterprise and R&D mission to test new gravel racing clothing systems. Upon their return to the Lab in Saltrio, Italy, we touched base on how it all went!

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Alberto Bianchi

How many different Q36.5 products did you wear during Cape Epic?

I focused primarily on testing our new prototype race skinsuits and jerseys, during the eight days I’ve used in 2 skinsuit and 1 jersey in combination with Dottore Pro Bibs. The warm temperatures—even when it rained—allowed us to maximize the efficiency of this single piece. We wore it with only our Base Layer 0 in order to optimize thermoregulation and moisture management.

What was your favourite item used during the race?

I really appreciated the racing fit of our prototype Gravel Skinsuit. It felt perfect in combination with a CamelBak, allowing me to stay properly hydrated without compromising the fit.

How would you describe the feeling of racing in Q36.5 clothing in 3 words?

Integrated: It’s a “click on” feeling; everything stays exactly in the right place. It’s intuitive to wear and use.
Comfort: I experienced absolutely no discomfort, even in truly brutal conditions.
Durability: I was surprised by how robust the two prototype skinsuits were. Despite several crashes, they remained stretchy and comfortable. They still looked good at the end of this adventure, even with the very basic washing conditions we had.

When was the moment you most appreciated your Q36.5 clothing during the race?

In a race like this, you appreciate it from start to finish. When you are at your maximum effort, you really value that consistent, supportive feeling you get from Q36.5 gear.

In your experience both as athletes and product developers, what is the biggest advantage that superior technical clothing can offer the competitive athlete in training and racing?

I saw many innovative designs and technical applications during the race—integrated hydration systems being a major one, which we also utilized effectively. However, the ultimate advantage is being able to stay comfortable, dry, and properly supported for the entire duration of the race. I am very proud of how our gear performed.

Ivan Santaromita

How many different Q36.5 products did you wear during Cape Epic?

For the majority of the race, I relied on the skinsuit, which offered an efficient and streamlined solution for the demanding stage-race format. During the final two days, however, I transitioned to a combination of jersey and bib shorts, seeking a slightly different balance of comfort and adaptability as fatigue accumulated and conditions evolved.

What was your favourite item used during the race?

My preference ultimately leaned toward the jersey and bib shorts. I am already very familiar with the Dottore bib shorts, which have consistently delivered a level of comfort I trust during long hours in the saddle. The skinsuit, while highly promising in terms of performance, still required some refinement to match the same level of comfort that the Dottore platform reliably provides.

How would you describe the feeling of racing in Q36.5 clothing in 3 words?

Comfort, performance, and style. Beyond the technical benefits, the aesthetic aspect was also widely appreciated, with numerous fellow competitors commenting positively and offering compliments throughout the event.

When was the moment you most appreciated your Q36.5 clothing during the race?

One of the moments I most appreciated the technical design was when using the integrated camelback pocket. Being able to hydrate without removing my hands from the handlebars proved invaluable, especially on the rough, highly technical terrain where maintaining control of the bike is critical and the risk of crashing remains constantly elevated.

In your experience both as athletes and product developers, what is the biggest advantage that superior technical clothing can offer the competitive athlete in training and racing?

In extreme environments such as the Cape Epic, breathability becomes a decisive performance factor. Effective thermoregulation helps preserve energy and maintain consistency across long stages. Equally important is the comfort provided by high-performance bib shorts, which allows riders to sustain high output for hours without saddle-related discomfort. Furthermore, the integration of functional solutions such as built-in hydration systems enhances autonomy over long distances, reducing reliance on feed zones and minimizing time losses — a crucial advantage in competitive stage racing.

Gregarius Adventure Shoes White

Color: White | Shoe Size: 37

As is the signature of all Gregarius products, the Q36.5 Gregarius Adventure Shoes take the pinnacle technologies from Q36.5’s Dottore and Clima shoes and mixes them with more traditional elements to create a tough, all-round and versatile performance shoe. The Gregarius Adventure Shoes are characterized by a highly breathable feeling thanks to an open mesh microfiber upper. The shoes’ outsole is comfortably wide in the metatarsal area and is made from a composite of carbon fiber and polyamide in order to balance stiffness and comfort while achieving greater pedaling efficiency. The additional tread enhances the shoes’ overall usability in a wide range of situations including hike-a-bike sections of a ride. Insoles are provided by Solestar (as with all Q36.5 models), placing the foot in the Optimal Neutral Position, enhancing comfort, stability, and propulsion.

€300.00

Dottore PRO Signature Bib Shorts Tarmac

Color: Tarmac | Size: M

The Q36.5 Dottore Pro Bib Shorts are the world’s leading high performance woven bib shorts, using technologies pioneered by Q36.5, continuously refined over the last ten years. From the very first pedal stroke, riders will appreciate a feeling of superior muscular support, comfort, and on-the-bike stability. This unique feeling is achieved through the use of four different proprietary woven fabrics as well as our patented Q LAB Air Chamois, which provides total comfort and superior moisture management. The use of a high-density woven material with gradual compression along the leg panels in particular ensures a superior alignment of muscle fibers during the repetitive action of lengthening and contracting the legs, creating an important performance advantage over long distances.

€280.00

Base Layer 0 Mesh Sleeveless White

Color: White | Size: S-M

When the heat and humidity is high and your rides are intense, the Q36.5 Cycling Base Layer Zero offers the supreme breathability, moisture management, and optimal weight to get you through every ride. The tubular seamless construction with an open mesh structure assists your body’s natural cooling mechanism by pushing the sweat away from the body where it can evaporate and cool you down.

€60.00

Clima 17 Socks White

Color: White | Size: 40-43 / 8-10.5

The Q36.5 Clima Socks combine incredible breathability with instep support to offer essential comfort and performance in hot summer conditions. The multi-structure weave allows for a lightweight yet supportive second skin feel to enhance power transfer.

€20.00

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