POC Releases The Cytal Lite At The 2025 Tour De France

OC has released the Cytal Lite, a brand-new, ultra-lightweight helmet making its debut at the 2025 Tour de France. While its primary function remains protection, the Cytal Lite has been specially optimized for heat management and minimal weight — making it ideal for climbers and riders in hot conditions.

Already an integral part of EF Pro Cycling’s setup, the Cytal Lite will be used by many of their riders throughout this year’s Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, and is available to purchase immediately.

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 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 its 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. EF Pro Cycling will race in it and have also played 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.

The Cytal Series

The Cytal Lite adds to the existing line up of helmets in the Cytal Series, with it’s core focus on heat management and low weight for riders who spend a lot of time climbing or in hot climates and who wish to have protection and high levels of cooling and comfort in uncomfortable conditions.

The Cytal Carbon and the Cytal, the other helmets in the series are tuned to different rider priorities; the Cytal Carbon pioneers a new approach to aerodynamics and ventilation, thanks in part to the inclusion of an advanced handmade carbon wing, the Cytal is a ventilated, lightweight and naturally balanced helmet due to its variable liner density and integrated wing. It also holds (as of March 2025) the best rating/score from Virginia Tech as the leading road helmet, and ranks third for all helmets tested (including mountain bike). The Cytal was also recently awarded the number one test result in independent tests from Folksam

Cytal Lite – details

Extremely light - the helmet weighs less than 200g in a size M (EN1078 safety standard).
Structurally strong - the shell and liner combine to provide enhanced structural integrity for ultimate lightweight crash protection.
Lightweight EPS liner - the low-density EPS liner optimises low weight and crash protection.
Lightweight in-mold PC shell - the outer PC shell is pecisely developed to cover the liner and strike the ideal balance of weight saving, protection and durability.
Open padding structure - the padding at the front of the helmet features only vertical padding, allowing more air flow across the forehead.
Integrated wings - two integrated wings help control airflow through and around the helmet, and improves the helmet's ventilation.
Lightweight straps – new lightweight straps feature on the Cytal Lite and provide even more comfort.
Adjustable fit – The lightweight adjustable fit system makes it easy for every used to find a secure and comfortable fit.
Strap adjusters – brand new minimalistic strap adjusters make it easy to tune position and will save weight.
Weight - CE: Small: 180g / Medium: 200g / Large: 220g, CPSC: Small: 240g / Medium: 250g / Large: 300g
Availability- The Cytal Lite will be available to buy at www.poc.com and in selected stores and online immediately.