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Tech Talk: Aero' helmets

Published: Jul. 28, 2001
Armstrong's mechanic, Julien Devries, is one of the few who makes sure on the starting ramp that there isn't t
Armstrong's mechanic, Julien Devries, is one of the few who makes sure on the starting ramp that there isn't t
Photo: L. Zinn

Lance Armstrong got the coolest Giro helmet, designed specifically for him with stars-and-stripes on it with his name down the center. His mechanic, Julien Devries, is one of the few who makes sure on the starting ramp that there isn't the slightest flaw or piece of glass on the tires.

Heras, with Armstrong's spare helmet.
Heras, with Armstrong's spare helmet.
Photo: L. Zinn

HerasWhen aero' guru John Cobb arrived at the Tour the day before the final time trial, Postal's Johan Bruyneel immediately requested assistance for Roberto Heras. Some of the changes Cobb suggested were not possible in the time available, but one was. Last winter, Cobb had seen that Lance's aero' helmet worked very well for Heras in the wind tunnel. Armstrong reportedly said no one but him would use the helmet. Cobb pushed the issue and said that, if Heras could use Lance's spare helmet in the time trial, it would help him both physically and psychologically. Apparently, Armstrong saw the wisdom of that as too, and the young Spaniard used the helmet.

French national champion Didier Rous (Bonjour) placed fourth in the time trial. His Time TT frame is welded aluminum equipped with a Spinergy Rev-X front wheel and a Time carbon fork. His aero' helmet has no chin strap; instead, there is an adjustable strap around the back of the head that is adjustable to hold the head tightly, like a welding helmet or a construction hardhat.

Former yellow jersey François Simon dropped a place on GC in the time trial. The cap dragging in the wind was
Former yellow jersey François Simon dropped a place on GC in the time trial. The cap dragging in the wind was
Photo: L. Zinn

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