Using its experience and input from professional riders and teams, POC has launched its latest aero road bike helmet called the Ventral, billed as “the fastest, most aerodynamic, ventilated, lightweight and safest helmet [it has] ever developed.” With its unique construction and optimized aerodynamic performance the Ventral has been created to enhance speed and safety and will be used by the EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team for the first time in competition at Paris-Nice this month.
Jonas Sjögren, POC CEO said “Over the years we have developed a number of advanced performance helmets. The award winning Octal is well known, but our Octal Aero, Cerebel and Tempor helmets have also been fundamental in improving aerodynamic performance and times for many track and road riders.”
“With all our experience, we wanted to push our ideas even further and develop a ventilated aero helmet that would give significant speed gains to a rider and further improve safety.”
He continued, “As you would expect the partnership and collaboration with EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team has been a fundamental feature in our product development and has been an integral part in developing the Ventral. The team operates in a unique, high-performance environment, which allows us to constantly refine our products, so the riders and our helmets excel at the very highest level.”
Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team, added “We’ve been partners with POC since 2014 and their innovation and support has been essential to the success and wellbeing of the team. The reality of modern road racing is that results can often come down to the thinnest of margins. The Ventral gives us strong aerodynamics and doesn’t compromise at all on safety. Our riders also provided input in the Ventral’s development and are now looking forward to racing in it.”
The Ventral’s performance is built on four key areas; aerodynamics, ventilation, safety and weight, which when brought together in one package aim to provide an “uncompromising performance helmet designed to make all riders faster and safer”.
Aerodynamic
Fundamental to the Ventral’s aerodynamic performance is the unique design and the precise size and angles of its frontal air intakes, which capture and lead air through the helmet, instead of around it. By capturing and channeling the air through specifically designed internal channels, the Ventral improves aerodynamics and reduces drag. Residual air flowing over and around the helmet is managed by an aerodynamically optimized trailing edge, which reduces turbulence and maintains a linear airflow off the helmet and rider, improving the helmet and rider’s aerodynamic performance.
Ventilation
The frontal air intakes and interior airflow channels create ventilation and cooling which improve the overall performance of the helmet. Inspired by the Venturi effect, the Ventral’s specific airflow channels inside the helmet create precise pressure zones which increase air velocity and enhance cooling inside the helmet. The exit ports at the rear of the helmet have been specifically designed to work with the channeled air. POC adds that the result is merged internal and external air flow at the rear of the helmet, which supports better ventilation and reduced drag.
Safety
POC notes that all its helmets are built with safety and ‘the POC mission is the cornerstone of the development and design process… This means material quality, uni-body construction, precise EPS density zones, ergonomic straps, eye garage and an adjustment system for individual precision and a secure fit.’ In addition, and unique to the Ventral, is SPIN, POC’s patent pending rotational impact protection system which ‘ensures that the Ventral is designed to manage both linear and oblique impacts’.
By using the innovative pad technology, which sits directly against the user’s head and can shear in any direction, SPIN pads allow the helmet to move relative to the head which can reduce the force transmitted to the brain during an oblique impact. As the SPIN pads replace conventional pads, and do not require additional features or attachments, they do not interfere with the airflow inside of the helmet, but still provide comfort and sweat absorption.
Weight
POC wanted to create a leading ventilated aero helmet, with a host of optimized features and the ability to manage linear and oblique impacts, and which was also extremely lightweight. The Ventral has been optimized during its development process and weighs 248g (CE Medium).
Availability
The Ventral will be available to buy in stores and online starting today for $290. The Ventral will initially be available in CE and CPSC certification; the AS/NZS 2063 certification will be available at a later date.
The Ventral will be raced for the first time by the EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team during Paris-Nice, which starts on 4th March, concluding on 11th March in the South of France. The EF Education First – Drapac p/b Cannondale Pro Cycling Team will also continue to use POC’s other helmets; the Octal, Cerebel and Octal Aero, depending on races and conditions.
www.pocsports.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.
