Thorough collaboration with the teams at EF Pro Cycling, POC has launched its latest aero-optimized time-trial helmet, the Procen.
As part of POC’s Aero initiative, the Procen is POC’s latest product focused on aerodynamics and the specific needs of performance cyclists. Developed with EF Pro Cycling riders, the Procen is claimed to optimize aerodynamics and cooling to enhance speed, protection and performance.
The Procen made its debut with EF Education-TIBCO-SVB on May 1st during the team time trial at La Vuelta Femenina. It will be used for the first time by EF Education-EasyPost riders at the Giro d’Italia.
Magnus Gustavsson, Director of Hard Goods at POC, said “We already knew that with the Tempor and Cerebel we have some of the fastest time-trial helmets in cycling.
“With the team, we brought our combined experience together and dug into our wealth of CFD data and evidence to analyze the precise needs of performance and elite cyclists, especially how to manage heat.
“Our objective with the Procen was to maintain the speed and aerodynamic advantage of the Tempor and Cerebel and add a layer of performance through enhanced heat management, allowing riders to be optimized aerodynamically, use their speed for cooling, and be able to hold peak efforts for longer.”
The Procen has been designed to drain the high-pressure zone at the front of the helmet, which leads to stagnant air and additional air resistance riders need to push through, and instead guides it through the helmet. In addition, by creating a Venturi effect inside the helmet, as used in POC’s Ventral helmet, the airflow creates ventilation and cooling, which enhances the overall performance of the helmet and rider.
Airflow
A precise shape manages residual air travelling over and around the helmet, particularly the trailing edge, which is optimized to reduce turbulence and meet the air flowing through the helmet. This maintains linear airflow off the helmet and rider, improving the rider’s overall aerodynamic performance.
Adjustable lens
In addition to the ventilation and aerodynamic performance, the Procen also utilizes a new two-position lens system. The Clarity lens can sit around 10mm from the helmet to ensure air can move naturally before being pressed into place before an event starts. The visor lens is fully detachable and will also break away from the helmet in a crash.
Comfort
The importance of clear vision when riding time trials is fundamental to safety, especially to see and react to the course with sufficient time. Likewise, POC notes that comfort and fit play an essential role in maintaining focus. Procen’s whole-head adjustment system makes it easy for the rider to find a secure fit, ensuring optimum protection.
Rachel Hedderman, General Manager of EF Education-TIBCO-SVB, said “Success in professional racing is built on performance, and we came to POC with some ideas and areas of focus for us in the future, notably how to manage even more heat and how to maximize the team’s and rider’s potential.
“The Procen is another example where POC can initiate a new way of thinking, creating products with incredible quality and relevance. I know our riders are excited to use it to its full potential.”
Andreas Klier, Sports and Technical Director at EF Education-EasyPost, said “We’ve been partners with POC since the 2014 season, and their innovation and support of the team have been critical in many of our achievements.
“Together we wanted to take another leap forward as we know optimized aerodynamics and cooling will improve performance for every rider, regardless of what kind of time trial rider they are. And with the Procen, POC has created a real ‘Goldilocks’ time-trial helmet that will benefit the vast majority of our riders.”
Magnus Gustavsson at POC added: “Our Aero initiative is driven by science, our innovations and our open-minded Swedish attitude, to optimize a rider’s safety and performance.
“The Procen is the latest result of our approach; an incredibly high-performance helmet with a supreme cooling effect over the whole head, perfect for intense time-trials, especially in the heat or long sustained efforts.”
Available in September in selected retail stores and online, the Procen is priced at €400 / US$400 / £350.
