The image published on Twitter di Trentin with his helmet in his hand after his crash at the Paris-Nice (opening photo). The explanations received yesterday from Adriano Rotunno, doctor of UAE Team Emirates, about concussion and a passage among his answers on the need to observe the helmet. Yes, the helmet. Il Manta Mips of MET Helmets, which probably saved Matteo's lifeWhat do they say at the Valtellina company when one of their products fulfills its purpose, absorbs the impact and prevents a tragedy?
«We are satisfied – says Ulysse Daessle, head of communications at MET – because it was a significant impact. When the blow hits the top of the helmet, it means that the weight of the body has landed on it., so it's not a minor incident. In these cases We are waiting to receive the helmet before we can decide to be able to analyze it and evaluate how it reacted."
Is this a common type of impact?
Usually the highest number of crashes refers to a more rear part. In any case, this type of impact has already been simulated and evaluated in the internal laboratory which deals specifically with replicating the impacts, also evaluating those of rotational type, where MIPS will come into operation (the security system that provides the 10/15 millimetres sliding inside the helmet to deal with rotating impacts, editor's note).
Does this type of testing help build safer helmets?
We start from 3D design to replicate impacts and simultaneously evaluate ventilation and aerodynamics of the helmet. By combining everything, the best-performing formula is created.
Have you seen Trentin's helmet? How can you be sure it will withstand such impacts?
Before the helmet is submitted for international validation, We take a series of at least 100 samples and perform tests on all sizesWe want to have a higher impact resistance standard than the regulations require. We are not obliged to do all this, but we noticed that there are some variables to consider, so a helmet can be different even if the production temperature varies. It is good to test them thoroughly and in large numbers..
Do you already have Trentin's helmet in your hand?
Not yet, I think the team still has it. When we receive it, just like we receive all crash helmets, Quality control will check it. In some cases, they even cut it to assess how well it has absorbed the impact.If a helmet cracks or deforms, it means it has absorbed the impact. A little like the fascias of modern cars, which deform. Bumpers were once indestructible, but cars were so rigid that in the event of a crash, the consequences for the occupants were much worse.
So is it good for the helmet to be deformed?
They are created intentionally deformation zones, which is also influenced by the helmet's shape and the amount of material used. For example, in helmets for small children, an internal structure is used. Thanks to this, the head will never come into contact with the helmet in the area of the cranial fontanel. Having the crashed helmets allows us to have statistics on the different points. And I have to say, we get a lot of them.
On the day of the crash, Trentin was wearing the MET Manta Mips, an aerodynamic model The back has vents for air circulation. There are 15 openings in total. The in-mold polycarbonate upper shell has aerodynamic but also safety purposes The closing straps are the Air Lite
On the day of the crash, Trentin was wearing the MET Manta Mips, an aerodynamic model The back has large vents for air circulation. There are 15 openings in total. The upper shell is made of in-mold polycarbonate The closing straps are the Air Lite
Do these observations then translate into advantages in production?
They allow us to define the critical points and evaluate whether the behavior in the event of a fall corresponds to what we have developedWe also get this kind of feedback from private cyclists, not just athletes. We have a program whereby if they have a fall and their helmet is damaged, They send us the photo and they get a 50 percent discount on the purchase of the new helmetBut obviously we didn't ask Trentin (laughs, ed.) for a photo, even though he took it himself. We immediately gave him a new helmet...
