“It’s laughable” - Remco Evenepoel calls into question the UCI’s head sock ban on the Specialized TT5 time trial helmet

In a week where we have seen two new distinctive designs from Giro and Rudy Project, the UCI have now taken action against another controversial time trial helmet, as they have banned the head sock on Specialized’s TT5 helmet.

In response to the ban, Specialized’s Leader of Helmets Alex Jerome told GCN in a statement that “Specialized is disappointed in this decision as it greatly impacts our riders and teams that have spent a significant amount of time preparing with the equipment that was UCI approved”.

First introduced at the opening time trial of the 2022 Tour de France in Copenhagen, the Specialized TT5 took the world of cycling by surprise and was widely ridiculed due to its unique design and accompanying head sock.

At last year’s World Championships in Glasgow, Remco Evenepoel wore the helmet as he rode to victory in the individual time trial and claimed the title of World Champion. “It’s laughable,” said the Soudal - Quick-Step rider when asked about the ban in an interview with Sporza, “two years ago, they authorised our helmet, and now they’re taking it out. I kind of feel like they want to play with our balls”.

The UCI claim that the head sock is a “non-essential” component and that it is in breach of article 1.3.033 of the regulations. However, it does call into question why the helmet is being banned now when it was approved in 2022.

The UCI have also announced that they will be reviewing the new Giro Aerohead II and the Rudy Project Windgream HL 85 helmets, as well as the POC Tempor helmet, which has been around for many years now and is another helmet with a radical design.

A statement by the world governing body said “the UCI acknowledges that while this may not directly contravene existing UCI Regulations, it raises a significant issue concerning the current and wider trend in time trial helmet design, which focuses more on performance than the primary function of a helmet, namely to ensure the safety of the wearer in the event of a fall”.