POC release Cobbles limited-edition helmet to celebrate Alison Jackson
POC is releasing an exclusive, limited-edition helmet to coincide with the first anniversary of Alison Jackson’s unique win at Paris-Roubaix in 2023. The Ventral Air helmet is inspired by Alison’s victory and is a celebration of her approach to racing and Canadian roots.
Competing in Paris-Roubaix is remarkable; winning it is hard to describe. Those who watched the 2023 edition will know that Alison Jackson had to use all her bike skills, tenacity, and experience to lead over the line on the final lap in the hallowed velodrome.
It’s a victory that placed her amongst a pantheon of greats and the history books as the first female or male Canadian to win one of cycling’s great monuments. It also brought Alison into the consciousness of a new world, where it was abundantly clear that Alison had a refreshing and distinctive attitude to professional cycling.
Commenting on the cobbles Alison Jackson edition, Sofie Tenmark, head of special projects in POC, said. “Watching Alison’s victory last year was inspiring. Apart from winning a monument, it brought to light her unique attitude towards the team and professional cycling in general. It’s an approach, coupled with her open, lighthearted, Canadian outlook, that we wanted to celebrate, which is why it’s a helmet full of her quotes and Canadian character.”
The foundation of the Alison Jackson Cobbles edition is the Ventral Air Mips helmet, which is used by many of the riders on the EF Education—Cannondale team. The Limited edition includes quotes and words of Alison’s choosing that can be added to the helmet.
Alison Jackson, EF Education-Cannondale, professional rider and Paris-Roubaix winner, added, “Winning Paris-Roubaix is very special, and I will treasure the experience forever. It takes a team, a happy heart, bold moves and belief in yourself. The helmet symbolizes what I think is important: having fun on a bike and having fun off it, and using that attitude in a great team to create a winning formula. Watch out, there is still more action to come from women's cycling!”
The helmet will feature prominently in the buildup and reconnaissance rides for the Paris-Roubaix Femmes in early April and will be available immediately on race day.
About Alison Jackson
Alison earned the biggest win of her career to date in 2023 when she won Paris-Roubaix from a breakaway that she kept alive from the race’s early kilometers. She followed it up the next month by winning the Canadian road race national championships in her native Alberta. Alison is an Olympian and has raced nine times in the world championships, including a sixth place finish in 2021.
For Alison, winning is important, but it doesn’t matter to her whether she’s atop the podium or if it’s one of her teammates. She’s more interested in making a difference in each race and contributing to the best result possible for the team.
Growing up on her family’s farm in Vermilion, Alberta, Alison had endless opportunities to exhaust her energy by helping with chores or playing with her siblings. But her mother noticed that Alison’s energy never seemed to dwindle, so she signed her daughter up for every sport available in her hometown of 4,000 people.
Alison’s curiosity and innate athletic talent led her to pick up swimming, compete provincially in gymnastics, go hiking in the Himalayas, and eventually to pick up an old bike that a former farmhand had left behind on her family’s farm. Fast forward to today and Alison is still driven by that same sense of curiosity, but this time she’s wondering just how far she can push her limits on the bike.
Product details – Ventral Air Mips
Made to honour Alison Jackson’s achievement at Paris-Roubaix Femmes last year, the limited-edition Ventral Air Mips EF Education-Cannondale Cobbles Edition allows you to be part of cycling history.
It comes with an exclusive sticker pack with designs inspired by Alison Jackson. In honour of her creative approach to racing, we’ve left the stickers off the helmet so you can place them as you see fit, creating a unique design.
With precise ventilation ports and internal channels to control air intake and release at both low and high speeds, the helmet provides a supreme cooling effect over the whole head. Ideal for long rides in the mountains or hotter days in the saddle.
The Ventral Air Mips works to enhance a rider's aerodynamic profile and minimize drag. Specific airflow zones enhance ventilation and cooling, while the aerodynamically optimized trailing edge reduces turbulence.
The exceptionally lightweight road cycling helmet has been developed according to POC's Whole Helmet Concept™. It features a fully wrapped unibody shell construction and an EPS liner, delivering an ideal balance between weight and safety. The addition of Mips enhances rotational impact protection. Practical features include a lightweight size adjustment system that guarantees a personalized fit, and an eye garage for easy and secure storage of eyewear mid-ride.
Price
300 EUR
Availability
Exclusively online at pocsports.com from 10am on Saturday April 6th 2024.
Notes to editors
Assets – available here
About EF Pro Cycling
We’re pro athletes, cultural enthusiasts, and world travelers with a hunger for adventure. We’re in search of new perspectives, on our bikes and off. We are EF Pro Cycling, a different kind of pro cycling team.
About POC
POC, a leading manufacturer of helmets, eyewear, protection and apparel, has been awarded more than 70 international safety, design, and innovation awards. Founded in 2005 in Sweden, POC’s mission is to protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one.
www.pocsports.com
Contact EF Pro Cycling
Matt Beaudin
Communication and Marketing Director
EF Pro Cycling
matthew.beaudin@ef.com
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