Meme lords rejoiced with yesterday’s debut of the brand new Giro Aerohead II spaceship, I imply time trial helmet. However possibly the UCI wasn’t so impressed with Giro’s out-of-the-box considering. At the moment the UCI introduced plans for a brand new “in-depth evaluation of the rules governing the design and use of time trial helmets”. It appears the dramatically protruding proboscis on the entrance of Staff Visma riders’ heads might have opened up a can of worms…
UCI rethinks the legality of aerodynamic TT helmet fairings
First up apparently, the aerodynamic neck sock of Specialised’s S-Works TT 5 aero time-trial helmet is out. A UCI assessment outlined it as “non-essential”.
Subsequent on the chopping block often is the new Giro Aerohead II.
Then, probably Rudy Challenge’s next-generation Windgream HL 85, raced in grey camo by Bahrain Victorious.
The UCI additionally calls out the long-running POC Tempor. All these are stated to doubtlessly prioritize aerodynamics over the first operate of a helmet – to guard a bike owner’s head in a crash. No point out was given to similarly-aero TT helmets with windshields & fairings from Decathlon, Ekoi, Julbo, Kask, MET, Candy Safety, Trek & extra…
(gallery of pictures all courtesy of Tirreno Adiratico by way of Twitter)
So anyway, the UCI is revisiting its rules on aerodynamics time-trial helmets, with an purpose of clarifying the foundations and shutting any loopholes.
Full wording of the UCI.org assertion under:
05 MAR 2024
The UCI to hold out an in-depth evaluation of the rules governing the design and use of time trial helmets
The fixed quest for improved efficiency and ever-increasing consideration given to element is main skilled groups and tools producers to develop their tools extra typically and with ever extra radical designs. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) in the present day needs to make clear its place in regards to the class of helmet.
Firstly, the UCI just lately knowledgeable Specialised of a assessment it had performed on the top sock part of the American firm’s TT5 helmet. This assessment was carried out to find out whether or not the helmet was in keeping with article 1.3.033 of the UCI Rules, which prohibits the usage of “non-essential” parts that aren’t solely for clothes or security functions.
After conducting an intensive course of, which included session with Specialised, in addition to examination of documentation linked to the helmet’s certification, security directions, and data from public sources, it was concluded that the top sock is a “non-essential” part (article 1.3.033 of the UCI Rules). In consequence, the top sock built-in into the TT5 helmet will not be permitted to be used at occasions on the UCI Worldwide Calendar, efficient from 2 April, 2024.
Concerning the helmet manufactured by Giro Sport Design, which was utilized by Staff Visma|Lease a Bike on the Tirreno-Adriatico prologue, in addition to the Rudy Challenge Windgream HL 85 helmet (utilized by Bahrain Victorious) and Poc Tempor helmet (utilized by a number of groups), the UCI acknowledges that whereas this will indirectly contravene present UCI Rules, it raises a major challenge in regards to the present and wider pattern in time trial helmet design, which focuses extra on efficiency than the first operate of a helmet, specifically to make sure the security of the wearer within the occasion of a fall.
In view of the evolution of those conditions in addition to different issues encountered lately, in relation to the requirement for industrial availability, the ban on non-essential parts and the form and dimension of time trial helmets, the UCI will undertake a assessment of its guidelines on the design and use of helmets in competitors. By doing so, it needs to make sure that they set a transparent framework that’s per the targets focused. Any modification to those guidelines might be communicated quickly after its adoption by the competent UCI our bodies.
