Tadej Pogačar's new TT setup is finally complete thanks to massive new MET helmet seen at Giro d'Italia time trial

Tadej Pogačar’s time trial equipment appears to have reached a new level of refinement with the introduction of a striking new MET helmet, recently unveiled by his UAE Team Emirates teammates during the Giro d’Italia’s stage 10 individual time trial. Although Pogačar himself is absent from the race, focusing on altitude training in the Sierra Nevada, the team’s debut of this helmet signals a significant upgrade in their time trial technology ahead of the Tour de France. This development complements the lightweight Colnago TT bike that Pogačar was seen using earlier in the season, suggesting that his time trial setup is now complete. The new MET helmet is notable for its large, wide profile designed to optimise airflow around the rider’s shoulders, aligning with contemporary aerodynamic trends. While the design is not radically innovative, it marks a clear evolution from the previous MET Drone helmet, which had a simpler tadpole shape and was considered somewhat outdated. The older model likely cost the rider valuable watts, which Pogačar could ill afford to lose in a discipline where every second counts. A distinctive feature of the new helmet is its coloured lip bordering the visor, reminiscent of the style once seen on Ineos Grenadiers’ helmets before UCI regulations led to their ban. Interestingly, despite the new helmet’s debut, UAE Team Emirates riders at the Giro were observed using the older time trial bike rather than the new Colnago model. This could indicate that the latest bike is currently reserved exclusively for Pogačar, possibly due to supply constraints or strategic reasons. It is also speculated that the new bike offers a balance between aerodynamics and weight, making it more suitable for courses with varied terrain. This dual-approach to equipment could herald a new era where teams deploy multiple time trial machines tailored to specific race profiles. The introduction of this updated time trial gear by UAE Team Emirates may prompt rival teams to intensify their own technological development, potentially sparking an arms race in time trial equipment. With Jonas Vingegaard currently dominating the Grand Tour scene, Pogačar’s refined setup could be a critical factor in challenging his rival’s supremacy when the Tour de France arrives. The latest equipment choices underline the increasing importance of marginal gains in elite cycling, where innovation and precision can tip the balance in the sport’s most prestigious events.