POC release the Cytal Lite at the 2025 Tour de France

Inspired by the Cytal and Cytal Carbon, the new Cytal Lite brings a fresh perspective to performance and protection. Weighing in at under 200 grams (CE standard, size medium), it’s designed for riders who value every gram saved and every marginal gain.

“The Cytal Lite is for when every gram counts and heat management is critical,” says Magnus Gustafsson, POC’s Director of Hard Goods. “We’ve refined the helmet’s structure to reduce weight and significantly improve airflow. The result is a helmet that perfectly meets the demands of climbers, ‘col hunters,’ and anyone riding in hot climates who needs maximum cooling and ventilation.”

Ventilation, heat control, and low weight are essential performance criteria — especially for riders focused on climbing or competing in warmer environments.

The Cytal Lite’s airflow system is optimized for speeds between 20–30 km/h, which are more typical during mountain climbs. However, its cooling performance remains effective at lower and higher speeds, thanks to aerodynamic innovations drawn from POC’s air capture and linear airflow approach used in previous models Cytal and Ventral models.

“After a decade of working very closely with EF Pro Cycling riders, we understand the critical importance of weight — particularly in mountain stages,” continues Gustafsson. “With the Cytal Lite, we’ve achieved extreme lightness while maximizing ventilation and cooling, as heat management is now known to be a much more critical factor in race performance.”

While the Cytal Lite draws inspiration from the aerodynamically focused Cytal Carbon and the Cytal, which currently ranks as the number one road helmet in Virginia Tech’s safety rating system, every detail has been adapted to it’s unique use. From the adjustment system to the straps, dividers, and outer shell, each component has been optimized for weight and comfort.

The Cytal Lite will be featured throughout the 2025 Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, with EF Pro Cycling not only racing in it but also playing a central role in its development.

“We know the importance of ventilation and cooling and the difference it makes in human performance,” says Peter Schep, Head of Performance, EF Pro Cycling. “The focus for many years has been aerodynamics, and now, alongside it, comes heat management. Having a helmet that excels in weight savings and cooling is an obvious advantage. We spent a lot of time working with POC’s engineers to fine-tune the details, and we — and the riders — are really positive with the results.”

The result is a helmet that will let you climb high and stay cool, providing protection in an ultra-light, highly ventilated, and exceptionally comfortable package — ready for the world’s most demanding climbs.