The world governing body for cycling has decided to review the design of time trial helmets after issuing a ban on the “head sock” element.
The UCI says it wants to ensure that radical designs do not compromise safety.
“This raises questions regarding the current tendency to emphasize performance over ensuring the safety of the wearer in the event of a fall,” the company said in a statement.
“Headsock'' is an integrated balaclava that is attached to a helmet, developed by the American company Specialized.
The company's TT5 helmets, which are supplied to teams such as Soudal Quick-Step and Bora-Hansgrohe, have been stripped of their “headsock” element after UCI authorities deemed them “non-essential” for safety or “dressing purposes”. was prohibited.
The UCI added: “After a thorough process, we have concluded that the head sock is a 'non-essential' component…”
“As a result, headsocks integrated into TT5 helmets will no longer be permitted for use in events on the UCI international calendar from April 2, 2024.”
Time trial helmets, used in races against the clock, have long been designed to increase aerodynamic efficiency during competition.
Recent years have seen increasingly innovative shapes as top teams pursue the slim margins that have become synonymous with cycling.
All equipment used on the Cycling World Tour must be commercially available.
Questions have also been raised over the new oversized helmet design unveiled by Visma Lease-A-Bike during Monday's opening time trial of Italy's Tirreno-Adriatico race.
Visma Rees A Bikes rider Matteo Jorgenson told ITV Cycling: [about its performance] – It's alien technology. ”
Elsewhere, UAE Team Emirates won Tuesday's Paris-Nice team time trial, with American Brandon McNulty taking on the yellow jersey for Wednesday's fourth stage race to Montbrouilly.
In Tirreno-Adriatico, Belgium's Jasper Philipsen won the Alpecin-Deceuninck team's sprint to Foronica.