We didn’t see this coming: This Eddy Merckx x Capri-Sun bike is the most unexpected collab we’ve seen all year

Capri-Sun and Eddy Merckx bikes have teamed up to create a limited edition Eddy Merckx Pévèle C bike that’s painted in custom Capri-Sun colours to raise money for War Child, an organisation that supports children affected by war.

No, Capri-Sun and Eddy Merckx were not a pairing I was expecting to see pop up in my email inbox this morning, but the brands have a history in cycling together that goes back a long way. 

Capri-Sun soft drinks can be purchased in over 100 countries worldwide, and more than six billion of the pouch-based drinks are sold every year. I, like many others, I suspect, walk past the popular drinks in my local store several times a week. 

The drinks brand has worked with two of sport’s greatest icons in the past, Muhammad Ali and a familiar name to cycling fans worldwide, Eddy Merckx – generally regarded as the greatest cyclist of all time, although Tadej Pogačar may lay claim to that title in years to come. 

Capri-Sun has a history of cycling team sponsorship. The brand sponsored the
Capri Sonne – Campagnolo – Merckx pro cycling team in 1982. Peter Winnen won stage 17 of the Tour de France for the team that year. Capri-Sun also sponsored a women’s pro team in the early 2000s.

The two brands have resurrected their partnership to create a custom-painted bike that will go on sale on the 16th of May, which is the International Day of Living Together in Peace.

Available until September, the bike will cost €5,575 and all profits will go to War Child, an organisation that provides support to children affected by war, including education, protection and psychological care. 

The carbon fibre bike will have a Shimano 105 Di2 groupset and carbon wheels, plus a 38mm tyre clearance. Customers will also be able to custom-spec the frames on the Eddy Merckx website configurator. 

A team Capri-Sonne 1980s replica cycling jersey will also be available to match the bike. 

The Eddy Merckx brand was bought by Ridley in 2017, and the parent company, Belgian Cycling Factory, relaunched the Merckx brand early last year. 

”At Belgian Cycling Factory, we want to improve people’s lives through cycling. This partnership does exactly that,” explained its CEO, Jochim Aerts. “Especially in these times, such a collaboration is very rewarding. It brings together Eddy Merckx heritage, a big splash of cycling fun and a shared commitment to War Child.”