POC Presents the Procen Air Helmet

Since the start of the 2024 World Tour, many EF Pro Cycling team riders have been competing with a new helmet. This helmet evolves the classic concept of a high-performance cycling helmet and has already garnered multiple victories.

Source: press release

The Procen Air is POC’s latest aerodynamic helmet. Now accessible to all cyclists, it is the result of years of experience and extensive collaboration with the expert professionals of the EF Pro Cycling team.

The Procen Air has already been seen in action and crowned with success in multiple major races this year. However, speed is not the only goal of this road cycling helmet. It is also designed to maximize rider performance during long days in a peloton, improve their vision and hearing, and of course, protect them in the event of a fall.

Magnus Gustavsson, Head of Product for POC, explains: “We know how to produce a helmet that protects against impacts. In the case of the Procen Air, we wanted to optimize the experience in the heart of the peloton, where a lot is happening around you. Our mission was to create a helmet as aerodynamic as a time trial helmet, which improves the rider’s vision and hearing, without compromising their safety.”

The Procen Air was developed in collaboration with the team of professional cyclists and performance experts from EF Pro Cycling, as part of POC’s Aero initiative. Of course, aerodynamics are at the heart of a road cycling helmet of this type. However, consistent performance requires meeting certain needs: it also depends on ventilation, cooling, and protection.

This process required multiple years of testing and improvements, as described by EF Pro Cycling Performance Director, Peter Schep: “When we developed the technique to optimize airflow through a time trial helmet, the Procen, we thought: ‘Hey! This will solve a number of our problems.’ We quickly moved up a gear with this new project. It was just a matter of making adjustments to ensure that the rider is adequately cooled, while maintaining superior vision and hearing to understand what is happening behind and around them. Safety is always the priority. Keeping that in mind, we were able to develop this helmet. It allows you to go significantly faster.”

Airflow

The vents at the front of the Procen Air channel air from the high-pressure zone. This reduces stagnant air and the resistance the rider faces. Air is directed inside the helmet. By creating a Venturi effect, just like with the POC Ventral helmet, the airflow inside the helmet promotes ventilation and cooling. This optimizes the performance of both the helmet and the rider wearing it.

Visibility/Magnetic Visor

In addition to its aerodynamic performance and optimized ventilation, the Procen Air helmet features a new visor that ensures maximum peripheral vision. It allows the rider to see better and react faster to different race scenarios, as well as to jostling that can occur within the peloton. The new magnetic attachment system gives the rider the simple option of using the visor or removing it in one swift motion, to ensure optimal vision at all times. The Clarity visor can be attached with one hand to magnets placed at the back of the helmet until it is needed again, all without having to touch the lens. The magnetic “garage” at the back is designed so that the visor does not interfere with the rider, even in an aerodynamic tilted position.

Optimal Hearing

Within the peloton, hearing is often what alerts the rider first. Their spatial perception depends on their ability to perceive sounds, especially when other riders are approaching from behind, outside their field of vision. To this end, the area where the helmet covers the ears has been refined to ensure both optimal hearing and aerodynamic performance. Minimized turbulence around the ear and the semi-open design allow most riders to hear better. Furthermore, comfort and fit are essential for maintaining concentration. The Procen Air’s 360° adjustment system allows each rider to achieve a secure fit, ensuring optimal position and protection.

Aerodynamic Performance

The Procen Air is built for speed, as demonstrated by the results of the EF Education-Cannondale team this year. From Noemi Rüegg’s sprint at Trofeo Felanitx-Colònia de Sant Jordi, to Kristen Faulkner’s 50 km solo breakaway victory at Omloop van het Hageland, to Kim Cadzow’s triumph at Trofeo Ponente in Rosa, the women’s team has already won several races with the Procen Air.

These successes have consolidated the results collected in the wind tunnel and during road tests by POC and the EF Pro Cycling team. Tested against the Ventral helmet, renowned for its speed, the Procen Air shows a significant performance gain, ranging from 5 watts at reduced speed, up to 18 watts at high speed (between 30 and 60 km/h).

Another concrete example of this performance gain is the data collected during Alberto Bettiol’s magnificent solo breakaway, which led to his victory at Milan-Turin in March. Attacking 30 km from the finish line, Alberto covered the remaining distance in 39 minutes. His team recorded the following results: high speed, 11 min; normal speed, 18 min; reduced speed, 10 min.

Even on the road, where the wind blows uncontrolled and end-of-race fatigue sets in, the difference is evident for Alberto and his team. As EF Pro Cycling Performance Director, Peter Schep, explains: “Alberto maintained an average speed of 46.5 km/h during his solo. According to our calculations, the Procen Air allowed him to cover the distance more than ten seconds faster than if he had worn the Ventral, which is already a fast helmet. In addition, the Procen Air met the needs of a classic 177 km race in hot weather.”

Product Details
– Tested with computational fluid dynamics for optimal aerodynamic efficiency.
– Wind tunnel and road-tested ventilation ensuring superior comfort.
– Airflow inspired by the Venturi effect ensuring maximum cooling.
– Innovative trailing edge moves air away from the shoulders.
– Unique magnetic visor and storage area.
– Lightweight adjustment system.

Certification
EN 1078/CPSC/AS/NZS 2063 Certifications

Sizes
M and L. Size M can be converted to size S with the included adjustment pads.

Colors
Hydrogen White, Uranium Black Matt

Weight
350 g (Medium)

Availability
Available immediately worldwide: online at pocsports.com and at official POC retailers

Price
€400

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