The new Ray kit, developed by Nalini for Team Picnic PostNL, is the culmination of extensive research, development, and testing. Nalini, a brand with a rich heritage in cycling apparel, is dedicated to creating innovative products that keep pace with the evolving demands of the sport and its athletes.
Central to the Ray collection is the innovative Viflo yarn, marking the first time a cycling kit has been developed with such a strong scientific foundation, prioritizing athlete performance through laboratory analysis and targeted research.
Synergy in Development
The development of Viflo yarn was led by Marco Rodeschini, an engineer from Chimar, with crucial research support from CeRiSM (Centre for Sport, Mountain and Health Research) at the University of Verona. This synergy provided the scientific evidence necessary to rigorously test and confirm the physiological and performance advantages of the Ray kit.
Engineer Marco Rodeschini’s expertise was instrumental in studying and highlighting the specific advantages of incorporating Viflo yarn into sports apparel.
“Viflo,” explained Marco Rodeschini during its presentation, “is a yarn enhanced with a bioactive mineral powder that converts the athlete’s body heat into specific Far Infrared (FIR) Rays. This technology, which has been studied for over thirty years, uniquely utilizes the athlete’s own generated heat as an energy source.”
Advanced Research and Testing
The research process actively involved athletes from the Sissio Team, who provided real-world data and scientific validation for the Ray kit’s development. The primary goal of the Viflo yarn is to reduce athlete fatigue during exertion, optimize performance, and enhance muscle recovery.
Marco Rodeschini further elaborated: “Heat is converted into energy, absorbed by the yarn, and then re-emitted to the body as FIR. This provides significant benefits in terms of oxygenation and thermoregulation, crucial factors for peak athletic performance. Additional advantages include faster recovery, reduced fatigue, and a noticeable decrease – up to 60 percent – in muscle soreness during high-intensity efforts.”
Proven Benefits
Extensive laboratory studies and repeated tests with Sissio Team athletes have yielded scientific evidence classifying Viflo as a yarn capable of significantly improving athlete performance.
In collaboration with the University of Verona, a rigorously controlled testing protocol was implemented – a world-first in the textile sector for professional cyclists. Two sets of tests were conducted: one using the Viflo kit and another with a placebo kit. Neither the athletes nor the researchers were aware of which kit was being used during the trials, ensuring absolute objectivity in highlighting the technology’s true benefits. These tests, conducted over two separate sessions a few days apart, included both power and endurance exercises.
“The results,” Marco Rodeschini analyzed, “demonstrated a significant improvement in physiological efficiency. Tests revealed that athletes could sustain higher power outputs for longer durations (an additional 24 watts) with a reduced perception of effort (RPE). Furthermore, a 4 bpm reduction in heart rate was observed, which is also beneficial for accelerated recovery. In essence, the kit allows cyclists to remain fresher and more agile during critical race moments.”
The Nalini Ray kit has already made its debut on the world stage at the Tour Down Under and the UAE Tour. This innovation, originating with professional cyclists, is poised to bring its benefits to the entire cycling community.
