Following a range of rule updates from the UCI management committee session in Kigali, Rwanda, where the World Championships are taking place, the sport's governing body has announced an updated 'simplified distinction' between time trial and mass start helmets for multiple disciplines.
The paragraph concerning the new helmet rules is short, but contains interesting information that will affect many of the helmets riders are wearing in races, the UCI said:
"Following approval by the UCI Management Committee in June 2025 to introduce a simplified distinction between time trial and mass start event helmets, members agreed the specifications that will concern helmets for mass start or bunch events from 1 January 2026 for road and cyclo-cross, and from 1 January 2027 for track.
"These specifications will include minimum ventilation requirements, a ban on helmet shells or accessories covering or obstructing the riders’ ears, and a ban on integrated or detachable visors. These new specifications also aim to contain aerodynamics, and in addition, will serve as a basis for distinctions between helmets used in different disciplines.
Helmets used for road, cyclocross and track racing will have minimum specifications, including minimum ventilation requirements, which could spell the end of aerodynamic helmet use in road races. A prime example would be Visma-Lease a Bike riders racing in older non-vented Giro Aerohead time trial helmets on the road. British road star Matthew Brennan has worn the helmet for many of his road wins this year.
Helmet shells, integrated and detachable visors and accessories covering a rider's ears will also be banned. Depending on the rules, several teams and manufacturers across various disciplines could be affected by this ruling.
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The UCI states the new specifications, which we don't have a full breakdown of at present, aim to 'contain aerodynamics', which sounds like a way to potentially slow down races in a bid to try and make them safer. A train of thought which seems to have led to the recent rulings on minimum handlebar widths and gear ratio restrictions.
One helmet that will almost certainly be affected by the ban is Swedish brand POC's Procen Air helmet, which has been worn by EF Education-EasyPost and EF Education-Oatly riders for the past two seasons.
Cyclingnews reached out to POC's Global Director of PR, Communication and Partnerships, Damian Phillips, who, despite the potential negative outcome for one of his products, was surprisingly sanguine about the announcement.
He said, "POC is first and foremost a protection company, and we welcome the UCI’s focus on improving rider safety. We have regular contact with the UCI and were aware of the discussion around helmets for mass start events, which was started formally in June.
"The POC helmet that would be affected by the new rules is the Procen Air, primarily due to its partial ear covers and integrated visor, both of which were designed for safety as well as performance. Providing riders with a wider field of view and reducing wind noise around the ear improves awareness and communication.
"The UCI press release from today does not go into specifics, e.g., the definition of minimum ventilation, and we will look to clarify and discuss those details with the UCI to help ensure that any new regulations support their objective to improve safety."
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as a tech writer. Despite having a degree in English Literature he has spent his entire working life in the cycling industry in one form or another. He has over 10 years of experience as a qualified mechanic, with the last five years before joining Cyclingnews being spent running an independent workshop. This means he is just as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike, and he isn’t afraid to pull a bike apart or get hands-on with it when testing to really see what it’s made of.
He has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track, and has ridden and competed in most disciplines. He has a keen eye for pro-team tech and enjoys spotting new or interesting components in the wild. During his time at Cyclingnews, Tom has already interviewed some of the sport's biggest names including Mathieu van der Poel, Tadej Pogačar and Alberto Contador. He's also covered various launches from brands such as Pinarello, Ridley, Specialized and more, tackled the Roubaix Challenge sportive aboard his own rim-brake Cannondale SuperSix Evo, tested over 20 aero helmets in the wind tunnel, and has created helpful in-depth buying advice relating to countless categories from torque wrenches to winter clothing.
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