Rapha presents Mondial, a new biannual cycling magazine which raises the bar

In the ten years since it first launched, Rapha has established a solid reputation for itself as the touchstone for all things concerned with cycling; whether that be a book of cycling photography, Kings of Pain, a series of stunning short films directed by brilliant Andrew Telling or the very best high-end gear any self-respecting athlete-on-two-wheels could wish to wear.

Never one to rest on its laurels, the brands latest venture is biannual magazine Mondial. “Anyone addicted to road cycling knows the sport is about much more than fitness and gear,” the brand explains. “For road riders, the sport lies at the heart of their identity and is the lens through which they view the world. The past decade has seen an explosion in cycling media, both online and in print… Mondial expands the idea of what road cycling is and what the sport can be.”

Created with the slick design finish and the incredibly high production values that have, over time, become synonymous with Rapha, Mondial looks at the subjects surrounding cycling from a new and unfettered perspective. Features range from the sartorial, looking at where cycling wear becomes graphic art, to the photographic, in the form of a series by Ben Ingham created in Japan, and an interview with the ever-present Bradley Wiggins, accompanied by images shot by photographer Jack Davison.

It’s sharp in its editorial curation and rich in commissioned imagery, setting the bar even higher where brand-generated content is concerned. Far from being just another notch on Rapha’s bedpost, Mondial looks as though it’s here to stay.