Pearl Izumi Speed Shop Unveils New Speed Jersey at Tour

It would seem that Pearl Izumi has taken a page from the Speedo marketing handbook.
Remember the Fastskin LZR Racer The suit was said to make a swimmer 5% more efficient in the water and was worn in the Olymics by Michael Phelps who went on to win a record eight gold medals.

Pearl Izumi will debut a new jersey called the P.R.O. (Performance and Race Optimized) Speed Jersey.
Pearl Izumi claims that the garment offers an unparalleled on-the-bike anatomic fit to generate maximum aerodynamic performance. It has been in development since last year's Tour de France, the new patent-pending Speed Jersey is designed with drag cheating P.R.O. Transfer Aero fabric - the fastest fabric ever developed for cycling. Pearl Izumi Speed Shop went through dozens of prototypes and conducted numerous tests to gain a record-breaking aerodynamic edge for the Garmin-Slipstream Team.

"Our relationship with the Garmin-Slipstream Team has been an incredible catalyst for product innovation," said Cache Mundy, Pearl Izumi's vice president of marketing.

"The Garmin-Slipstream Team provides us with phenomenal testing and feedback in the harshest of conditions. We use their input to further refine our products before they go to market for avid cycling enthusiasts worldwide."

In addition to the P.R.O. Speed Jersey, the Garmin-Slipstream team members may select from three other Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Model jerseys:
The standard P.R.O. Jersey, the workhorse of the line

The P.R.O. Climbers Jersey featuring Direct-Vent Fabric for optimal ventilation and minimum weight
The P.R.O. Aero Jersey, which features a second skin fit and anatomic construction.

This July, Pearl Izumi will pre-launch the 2010 Limited Edition Black Star Design Aero Jersey and Short, which will allow consumers to ride in the exact same Aero Jersey and Bib Short available to Garmin-Slipstream.

The Black Star Kits feature the identical materials, construction, fit and aero fabrics used by the team with the addition of Pearl Izumi's all new P.R.O. Seamless 4D Chamois, the most advanced, anatomic chamois ever produced (available through authorized Pearl Izumi apparel retailers). Look for other Pearl Izumi Speed Shop items such as the P.R.O. Speed Jersey to come to market soon.