Visma-Lease a Bike said they were "surprised" at the UCI’s decision to review the team’s new aero helmet, which was worn by the Dutch WorldTour giants in time trials at Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday, as well in stage three's team time trial at Paris-Nice.
The helmet, which is manufactured by Giro, was named specifically in a statement which was released by cycling’s world governing body as it emerged that other helmets would also be included in the new review. The two other helmets named as part of the review were EF Education-EasyPost's 'duck-bill' POC Tempor TT, and Bahrain-Victorious' Rudy Project Windgream HL 85, which also made its debut on Monday at Tirreno.
"We’re working on an official statement based on our first experiences after the two time trials this week," a spokesperson for Visma-Lease a Bike told Cycling Weekly in Auxerre.
"There’s a set of conditions that a helmet like this should meet. It’s about size, safety, everything. With those conditions, brands start designing equipment and obviously there’s a lot of money and development going into that process."
"So it's surprising that you make a design, all those conditions are met, and then it’s questioned again," they added.
"The UCI acknowledges that while this [they] may not directly contravene existing UCI Regulations, it raises a significant issue concerning the current and wider trend in time trial helmet design," the UCI spokesperson said.
The "head sock" which accompanies Specialized’s TT5 helmet is also to be banned from 2 April, the UCI has said. Both Remco Evenepoel’s Soudal Quick-Step team and Bora–Hansgrohe, the team of Primož Roglič, use that design.
Cycling Weekly contacted Bora-Hansgrohe for comment in relation to the "head sock" being banned but the team did not respond.
On Tuesday evening, Visma-Lease a Bike released an official response to the UCI's decision to look at the Giro helmet.
"First and foremost, the Giro Aerohead ll is a safe helmet, meeting all safety regulations," it read. "Safety for our riders is paramount for both Giro and the team. For example, this helmet has a larger visor that allows riders to have better visibility. And Mips (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) provides even better protection.
"Giro Sport Design developed the Aerohead II to meet all impact test requirements and safety certifications, which applies to all helmets ridden in competition.
"In addition, Team Visma | Lease a Bike, in collaboration with Giro, has also put a lot of time, money and energy into further aerodynamic development, within the frameworks set by the UCI.
"Team Visma | Lease a Bike is looking forward to the next time trials and is confident to continue using the Giro Aerohead ll this season and in the future."
