Pick of the kit

Sidi Shot 2 shoes, £395, saddleback.co.uk

Matt finishes and fade patterns may be all the rage but there’s an appealing simplicity to the aggressive Euro glossiness of these premium Italian shoes.

The Shot 2 comes with Sidi’s Tecno-3 Push Flex dials, which aim to eliminate pressure on your instep. It’s one of those clever-sounding features that you don’t notice, presumably because it’s working. The shoes aren’t ultra-light at 626g for a pair of 44s, but they’re comfy and feel well made.

The generous sole vents are largely counterproductive in UK riding conditions, but that’s why God invented duct tape.