Rapha Paul Smith Team Issue Jersey sells out in 20 minutes - and raises funds for a good cause

When Rapha emailed yesterday evening to announce that a new limited edition jersey had gone on sale, the advice was that anyone wanting to get their hands on one had better be quick – and they weren’t kidding. Just 20 minutes later, another email arrived from North London to tell us that the team issue jersey designed by none other than Sir Paul Smith and intended to raise money for victims of the Japanese earthquake had already sold out.

Only 150 of the white, skintight jerseys that incorporate a rainbow stripe design had been made, and with 800 people having already expressed interest, demand was likely to be strong. The jerseys, which also feature a slogan saying ‘Every Day Is A New Beginning’ were first worn by Rapha Condor Sharp riders at the IG Markets London Nocturne at Smithfield Market earlier this month, won by Team Sky’s Alex Dowsett.