Giro d'Italia TT tech: Limar joins growing helmet trend with new bulbous Alien lid

The trend towards larger time trial helmets shows no signs of abating as Limar has become the latest brand to go big through its new Alien lid, in use by Astana Qazaqstan on the stage 7 time trial at the Giro d'Italia.

Like other TT helmets that have been released before it in 2024, including the Giro Aerohead II and Rudy Project Wingdream, the new lid sports a wide design that brings the profile of the helmet in line with a rider’s shoulders.

Both Giro and Rudy’s offerings caused a stir earlier in the year when they broke cover at Tirreno-Adriatico, and the Alien helmet is set to make its WorldTour debut in Friday afternoon's individual time trial at the Giro d'Italia.

Read more: Rudy Project officially unveils Wingdream helmet ready for Giro d’Italia time trial

Forget long, wide helmets are on trend

Time trial helmets have traditionally sported longer profiles but that has all changed in 2024 through a new wave of wide helmets – although they remain long. The new trend has proved to be controversial thanks to the interesting aesthetics that give riders a slightly martian look, so the Alien name is apt – in the front-on profile, it also bears a striking resemblance to a stormtrooper from Star Wars.

© Limar

The new Limar Alien time trial helmet

Unsurprisingly for a time trial helmet, the Alien is designed with aerodynamics in mind, but Limar says it has gone to extra lengths to ensure that it performs well in real-world situations and not just wind tunnel testing.

These lengths, Limar says, include testing the helmet at wind angles commonly encountered out on the road, including at 5 and 10 degrees.

“This confirms that 'Alien' is not only optimized for ideal laboratory conditions, but is truly adapted to the dynamic challenges of road cycling, offering cyclists an unrivalled aerodynamic advantage,” Limar said in a press release.

© Limar

The helmet in Astana-Qazaqstan colours

This testing was conducted at Silverstone, the home of Formula 1 in the UK, and the helmet has taken some design cues from the motorsport. The most important can be found on the sides of the helmet which are sculpted to generate an aerodynamic effect known as ‘outwash’: “This technique allows the air that hits the athlete to be deflected, moving it laterally relative to the figure and away from the shoulders.”

It works in conjunction with the central part of the helmet, which is designed “to create and maintain laminar flow along the rider's back, thanks to the Coanda effect”.

“The combination of these two phenomena directing airflow ensures reduced drag and optimal airflow around the cyclist's body, improving aerodynamic performance,” Limar said. “This reduces drag and improves aerodynamic efficiency, making 'Alien' a truly innovative helmet in time trial cycling.”

All of this results in a saving of 10 watts over its predecessor, the Air King Evo, according to Limar.

The helmet will be available to purchase from August, although Limar hasn’t confirmed pricing. Learn more about the helmet on Limar’s website.

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