Reigning Tour de France champion, Chris Froome and Team Sky donned new helmets made by Italian manufacturers Kask as the race kicked off on Saturday July 5 in Yorkshire.
The Proton, which weighs approximately 210g and uses Coolmax 3D DRY padding, is the forth lid developed by Kask and Team Sky in collaboration.
The helmet is said to have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any ventilated head protector on the market.
Kask claims the item maintains a rapid heat dissipation rate, however, wind tunnel or thermodynamic test results are yet to be released.
Kask CEO Angelo Gotti said: “Pro cycling is about marginal gains and we’ve spent many months and countless hours examining data, rider-positional analysis and thermodynamic studies as well, of course, as listening to feedback from Team Sky to create our most advanced design yet.”
“The Protone takes into account the riders’ posture and how they behave while riding, for example catering for the rider taking off their glasses and inserting them into the the helmet without increasing drag – in fact we’ve looked so deeply into the science to create and benchmark this helmet, we’ve named it after the Italian for the sub atomic particle, proton.”
The Proton features the Octo Fit Adjustment system and Multi In-Moulding Technology (MIT).
This produces a polycarbonate cover for the top, base ring and back of the helmet shell, fastened to the inner polystyrene cap via Kask’s In-Moulding Technology.
Kask says the process improves shock absorption, strengthens the frame and reduces the risk of impact breaking the shell.
The Proton will be displayed at Eurobike 2014 in August and the new model will be available on general release at the beginning of 2015.