Swedish safety and performance brand POC has partnered with reigning UCI Road World Champion Magdeleine Vallières to release a limited-edition version of its Cytal road helmet.
The partnership celebrates the EF Education–Oatly rider’s 2025 World Championship victory and her season competing in the rainbow bands. In September 2025, Vallières soloed to victory in Kigali, Rwanda, becoming Canada’s first elite road race world champion in the sport’s 98-year history.
Prior to that victory, Vallières was ranked 149th internationally, having spent previous seasons riding in support of teammates at events such as the Vuelta a España Femenina, Giro d’Italia Women, and Tour de France Femmes.
Amber Stackhouse, Director of Global Sports Marketing at POC, said “Mags is often described as selfless, hard-working, humble, and fun. She is just the kind of rider every team wants and needs. She also exudes a talent that was evident in Kigali, and her win was no surprise to those who know her.
“The victory was as exceptional as Mags. To celebrate the year, her perspective, her personality, and the next Worlds in Canada, we wanted to create a unique special edition together.”
The limited-edition helmet is built on the foundation of the POC Cytal model. Designed in collaboration with Vallières, the graphic elements reflect her Québec heritage and personal background. The helmet features a fleur-de-lis and maple leaf, illustrations of corn and Canadian maple syrup, and her personal race mantra: ‘full commitment, no regrets’.
Magdeleine Vallières said “Being able to ride this year as the World Champion, and represent the rainbow jersey is such a privilege and high point in my career so far. But getting to this point is all based on where I have come from.
“When POC and I started creating a helmet design together, I knew immediately that I wanted my Canadian roots to shine through. The food, the people, the heritage have all played a role in forging the person and racer I am today. And what better way to celebrate a year as World Champion, especially as I head home to defend the title.”
The launch comes as the UCI Road World Championships prepare to return to Montréal, Québec, in September 2026. This marks the first time in 52 years that the event will be hosted in Canada, and the first time it will take place in Vallières’ home province.
Technologically, the limited-edition Cytal incorporates aerodynamic and ventilation features adapted from POC’s Cytal Carbon model. The helmet features an EPS liner with variable density across different zones, developed using heat map data analysed by POC’s internal research team. The Cytal has been tested by Virginia Tech and earned a five-star safety rating.
For ventilation, the helmet utilizes POC’s Venturi effect approach to airflow. An integrated frontal wing is designed to increase air velocity, capturing and directing air through linear interior channels across the head rather than over the exterior. According to the company, this design significantly reduces the high-pressure zone at the front of the helmet, improving the aerodynamic profile while providing active cooling.
Rotational impact protection is handled by an integrated Mips Air Node system, designed to manage angled impact forces. The helmet also features a multi-directional adjustment system – including removable front brow pads, lateral strap adjusters, and a vertical rear cradle adjustment – alongside an integrated eye garage to hold sunglasses.
The helmet is available in sizes Small (50–56cm), Medium (54–59cm), and Large (56–61cm). Weights for the CE/EN certified version are listed as 250g for Small, 270g for Medium, and 300g for Large (CPSC versions weigh 300g, 320g, and 340g respectively).
Pricing for the limited-edition helmet is set at US$380 / €340 / £310 / CAD 470.
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