UCI wants to examine the regulations
New helmet causes a lot of ridicule and concern
March 5, 2024, 5:55 p.m
Jonas Vingegaard and his teammates are once again attracting attention. However, this time it is not the enormous sporting successes, but a new helmet design that is attracting attention with Visma-Lease a Bike. Which then has direct consequences.
The World Cycling Federation has announced a review of its regulations following the introduction of new time trial helmets. At the start of the Tirreno-Adriatico long-distance trip, the top team Visma-Lease a Bike around tour winner Jonas Vingegaard, among others, caused quite a stir with their futuristic helmets. While these would not directly violate the rules, the statement said, they “raise an important issue regarding the current and general trend in time trial helmet design, which focuses more on performance than on the primary function of a helmet Helmet focuses on ensuring the wearer’s safety in the event of a fall.
The UCI will therefore “review its rules for the design and use of helmets in competition,” said the world association, which wants to provide a “clear framework” for this. In addition to the Dutch team Visma-Lease a Bike, Bahrain Victorious and several other teams also competed in the time trial with new helmets. They are not threatened with sanctions. The drivers received a lot of ridicule for this. “I don’t want to say that the helmets are ugly. I’m just saying that it’s a good time to stop cycling,” wrote Belgian professional Thomas De Gendt on X. His Irish colleague Sam Welsford from the German team Bora-hansgrohe immediately followed up with: “I’m quitting.”
“The aero helmet was rethought,” said Visma’s German sports director Paul Martens: “We see this as a big improvement.” The cycling world gathered on the Internet saw this as an opportunity for a lot of fun and mischief. The piece was christened “Hell-Met”. The Italian professional Jacopo Guarnieri posted a picture of Rick Moranis as “Lord Helmchen” from the space outfit Spaceballs. Little Helmet, in the original Dark Helmet, is a satire of the Star Wars villain Darth Vader – only with a giant helmet.
The new helmets didn’t help in terms of sport either. Vingegaard and Co. disappointed in the time trial, the Dane was the only Visma rider in the top 60 in ninth place – 22 seconds behind the winner Juan Ayuso from Spain after 10 kilometers. His helmet was an ordinary one.