Excitement about time trial helmets: UCI bans head socks - rules to be reviewed

Jonas Vingegaard and his team-mates from Visma | Lease a Bike turned up at the opening time trial of Tirreno-Adriatico wearing a huge new Giro helmet. The futuristic design of the Aerohead 2.0 caused a stir in the cycling world. Other manufacturers such as Rudy Project, POC or Specialized - with the so-called head sock - have also recently caused a stir with their time trial helmets.

Discussion about time trial helmets: UCI wants to review rules

The UCI has now commented on the issue and is willing to put a stop to the design proliferation. A press release states that the Giro helmet from Visma | Lease a Bike, the Rudy Project Windgream HL 85, which Bahrain-Victorious uses, and the POC Tempor, which several teams use, do not violate UCI regulations. However, according to the UCI, these models raise questions about the trend towards helmets that are focussing more and more on performance and less on safety. This is why the governing body now wants to review the rules for helmets.

This is driven by emotions and all the reactions on social media. - Mathieu Heijboer, Performance Manager at Visma | Lease a Bike

The UCI's announcement has no immediate consequences for Visma | Lease a Bike and its Aerohead 2.0. However, the Dutch team fears a ban on their new helmet. Mathieu Heijboer, Performance Manager of the team, is angry. "The rules for dimensions and safety were laid down a year ago. We and the helmet manufacturer Giro have started to work within this framework," Heijboer told the Dutch newspaper AD.

The timing of the UCI's statement is no coincidence. "This is driven by emotions and all the reactions on social media. I have no problem at all with jokes on the internet. But if the UCI has a problem with the design, they should have said so when they submitted the helmet for approval."

Ban on head sock in Specialized time trial helmet

The situation is different with the Specialized TT5 than with the Giro helmet. The time trial helmet, with which Bora-Hansgrohe, among others, is equipped, was subjected to a review by the UCI. According to Article 1.3.033 of the UCI regulations, the integrated aero tube, the so-called "head sock", is a "non-essential component".

That's why the UCI has issued a ban. From 2 April, head socks will no longer be permitted in races that are part of the UCI calendar. Top teams such as Bora-Hansgrohe with Primoz Roglic and Soudal - Quick Step with Remco Evenepoel will therefore have new homework to do with regard to their time trial equipment in view of the Tour de France.