The Rudy Project Wingdream TT helmet: official debut with Team Bahrain Victorious at the Giro d’Italia

It’s time for the debut of Rudy Project’s new time trial helmet, the Wingdream. On May 10, during the Giro, at the time trial of the seventh stage from Foligno to Perugia, the helmet will be seen for the first time in its final version and will bear the colors of the Bahrain Victorious team.

Source: press release

Rudy Project has been a continuous partner of the team since its debut on the World Tour circuit in 2016: this close collaboration has fostered the development of new-generation cycling glasses and helmets over time. The Wingdream represents the latest frontier of this collaboration.

Aerodynamic advantages

The result of two years of development and numerous tests, both indoors and outdoors, the Wingdream takes aerodynamic studies applied to bike helmets to a new level compared to previous models in the catalog, improving the management of turbulence at the back of the athlete, as well as their air penetration coefficient. The particular shape of the helmet guides the airflow towards the athlete’s shoulders, benefiting aerodynamics.

According to internal wind tunnel tests conducted by Rudy Project, the new helmet allows for energy savings of nearly 10 watts compared to Wing, the Italian company’s previous time trial model; this translates to approximately four seconds saved every 10 kilometers, which is equivalent to more than a minute, for example, over an Ironman distance (180 km). Compared to a traditional road model, the new Wingdream allows for a gain of 306 seconds over an Ironman distance (180 km), assuming a constant power of 200W.

Safety and certifications

The in-depth study of aerodynamics certainly did not relegate safety features to the background, as they remain the primary concern for Rudy Project’s Research & Development department. Like previous models, this new helmet has also been certified by international third-party organizations, proving that it is safe in all respects, from impact tests to rotational tests.

Finally, UCI authorization allows its use in all professional and amateur cycling events. In fact, the helmet had already debuted in February of this year with an initial version, camouflaged with packaging, worn by Bahrain Victorious team athletes during the time trials of Tirreno-Adriatico, Paris-Nice, and Tour de Romandie.

Rudy Project’s challenge: aerodynamic, ventilated, and comfortable helmets

Simone Barbazza, Marketing Director of Rudy Project: “In presenting Wingdream, I feel a deep pride for what we have achieved with this revolutionary helmet. It is not only an advance in aerodynamic studies but also a testament to Rudy Project’s dedication to achieving excellence. Every detail of the Wingdream has been meticulously designed, reflecting our relentless pursuit of combining safety, comfort, and performance. In addition to marking significant progress in competitive cycling equipment, this helmet embodies our philosophy that performance starts with the head.”

Norberto Fava, Head of Production and Industrialization of Rudy Project helmets: “The world of helmet development is similar to Formula One: it requires engineering creativity, 3D studies, prototypes, wind tunnel tests, and athlete testing. There is a lot of research behind a product like this, which is subject to continuous verification by the UCI and certification bodies. And, naturally, there are large financial investments. Many models currently available on the market do not have holes. However, both Wing and Wingdream have central holes to ventilate the skull area. Our challenge has indeed been to create a helmet that offers good aerodynamic savings, but is also comfortable. Head temperature management is crucial: cyclists in a time trial push at speeds above 45 km/h for 40 minutes, triathletes even longer. The benefits of aerodynamic penetration are therefore quickly canceled out if there is excessive head heating.”

Martin Toft Madsen, Aero & Material Consultant for the Bahrain Victorious team: “With the Wingdream helmet, we have really focused on increasing aerodynamic efficiency. With Rudy Project, we have widened its structure to allow airflow to flow more smoothly from the head to the shoulders and to the back of the athlete. The rear has been slightly widened for an overall more aerodynamic shape and better airflow control. Aware that head position varies, we have optimized the design for the most common posture, nevertheless ensuring high performance even in less frequent conditions, such as with strong crosswinds. The Wingdream incorporates everything that, with Rudy Project, we have learned from professional athletes and time trialists, offering a product that can make a difference in races like the Ironman, with the potential to save precious minutes.”

Antonio Tiberi, professional from the Bahrain Victorious team: “I tried it for the first time at Tirreno Adriatico this year and I must say that I quickly felt very comfortable with it. You can feel that the Wingdream is a really high-performance helmet. Moreover, it is extremely comfortable, not at all cumbersome during the race and offers perfect visibility. It didn’t cause me any problems even in the position I usually adopt during time trials: I tend to keep my face very close to my hands and the helmet doesn’t cause me any discomfort.”

Available from October

The Wingdream helmet, intended for triathletes and cyclists competing in time trial races, will be available to the public in two sizes and two colors from October 2024.

This new model joins the other helmets that Rudy Project makes available to the Bahrain Victorious team: the Egos, a model with an innovative structure designed to maximize ventilation and intended for the hottest days; the Nytron, an aerodynamic ventilated helmet capable of reducing head temperature; and the Nytron Pro, more focused on aerodynamic efficiency.

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