POC joins Norco adidas Race Division as protection, eyewear and apparel partner, releases the 2026 EF Pro Cycling limited edition helmet

A new multi-year partnership brings together Swedish protection and apparel specialist POC with Norco adidas Race Division as the team prepares to compete on downhill’s biggest stage this season. POC will equip the team with riding apparel, eyewear and full protection, including helmets and body armor.

A new race kit, technically developed and produced by POC, with visual design created collaboratively by Norco and adidas, will be unveiled at the World Series season debut in Mona Yongpyong, South Korea on May 1.

POC is proud to announce its partnership with Norco adidas Race Division, joining the team as a major partner for the UCI Downhill World Series as part of a multi-year agreement covering riding apparel, eyewear, helmets and body armour. It marks POC’s return to World Cup downhill racing, the discipline where the brand first made its name in mountain biking and one that remains deeply rooted in its DNA and mission.

Downhill mountain biking occupies a unique place in the sport. Performance margins are small, technical demands are high, and the consequences of getting things wrong are real. At the same time, it remains one of the most valuable environments for innovation, where advances in protection, materials and riding apparel can be tested in their most demanding setting, and where close collaboration between athletes, engineers and brands can directly influence product development.

That combination of performance, safety and innovation is what makes downhill such a natural fit for POC. It also creates a strong connection with Norco, a brand that has built its reputation on product development, technical progression and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking. Those shared values form the foundation of this partnership.

The team, Gracey Hemstreet, Danny Hart, Erice Van Leuven, Bodhi Kuhn and Lina Frener, will race in a new kit technically developed and produced by POC, with visual design created collaboratively by Norco and adidas. It will make its first appearance at the opening World Series round in Mona Yongpyong, South Korea on May 1. The full equipment package supplied by POC spans riding apparel, eyewear, body armour and helmets. Many of these products incorporate patented technologies backed by extensive research and development, and will now continue to evolve through ongoing feedback and testing at the highest level of competition.

POC and Norco share a strong technical mindset, and that alignment will be important in helping the team perform at its best. Just as important is a shared approach to building something with intention. Norco is committed to creating a team environment where every athlete is supported to perform at their highest level. With a roster that currently includes more female riders than male, Norco adidas Race Division also reflects a broader commitment to visible representation and meaningful long-term progress within the sport.

Oscar Huss, Chief Product Officer at POC, said: “Returning to the World Cup downhill circuit is something we have been working towards, and doing it with Norco is exactly the right way to do it. We know that downhill is where many of the most important questions in protection and apparel development get their most honest answers. But what excites us most about this partnership is the quality of the collaboration it makes possible. Norco’s approach has the same seriousness and curiosity as we do, and we are very much looking forward to what we can develop together over the coming seasons.”

Elisabeth Petersilie, Brand Director at Norco, said, “We’re excited about this new partnership because it fits with what we’re trying to build with Norco adidas Race Division. At Norco, we care deeply about product and how our bikes are developed, and we want to work with partners who take their category just as seriously. POC has real credibility in protection and apparel, but just as important, they bring an approach to development that feels aligned with how we think and work, and the standard we want around this team. It’s a very natural fit for us.”

Following the success of the 2025 collection, POC, the Swedish protection brand known for its reputation for safety, innovation and design,  releases the 2026 EF Pro Cycling Edition helmet. Unmistakably EF Pro Cycling, the newest team edition of the Cytal pairs race-ready performance with EF Pro Cycling’s signature 2026 design.

Independently tested and recognised as one of the safest road helmets, the Cytal is now offered in the team’s signature pink colorway, featuring precise silver graphics. This limited-edition release will be available to fans of EF Pro Cycling’s Women’s and Men’s teams on POC.com and at selected online and retail stores.

Introducing the 2026 limited-edition collection, Lina Elfstrand, Chief Marketing Officer at POC, said: “The EF Pro Cycling community has always been a central part of what makes our partnership so special. Fans show up year after year with real commitment and enthusiasm, and this edition is a way for them to access the same performance and protection POC is known for and that the riders rely on. And it’s great to see the same team pink out on the roads all around the world.”

The Cytal is engineered with safety, advanced ventilation, and aerodynamic optimisation at its core, achieving a precise balance with improved protection. The 2026 EF edition uses this technical foundation in the team’s distinctive colourway.

Jonathan Vaughters, Chief Executive Officer at EF Pro Cycling, said: “Doing things our own way is a big part of what defines our team and our fans. Seeing them out there in pink on the roadside is something we truly value. Working with POC allows us to share what makes EF Pro Cycling distinctive, and to give our fans access to the same quality our riders trust.”

Cytal EF Pro Cycling Ed – Product details

Drawing on the aerodynamic and ventilation knowledge developed for the Cytal Carbon, the Cytal brings the same expertise to a helmet designed for road riders, developed to balance performance and protection.

Protection — Safety is the central role of a helmet, and the Cytal was developed with this as its priority. The EPS liner has variable density across the helmet, created by heat map evidence analysed by POC’s in-house tech and research team. It is an approach that produces a lightweight, naturally balanced helmet and enhances protection. The Cytal has been tested by Virginia Tech and has achieved a five-star rating.

Ventilation — The Cytal uses the Venturi effect, POC’s well-established and respected approach to airflow in its helmets. The integrated wing creates superior ventilation and cooling across the whole head. A precise wing shape increases air velocity and enhances cooling, while linear interior channels guide airflow through and out of the helmet, keeping the rider cool throughout.

Aerodynamics — The Cytal has benefitted from POC’s extensive CFD simulation, wind tunnel, and real-world testing. The integrated wing supports larger frontal ports of precise size and angles, allowing air intakes to capture and direct air through the helmet rather than around it. This significantly reduces the high-pressure zone at the front and improves a rider’s aerodynamic profile.

• MIPS — A seamlessly integrated MIPS Air Node system enhances protection from angled (non-linear) impacts.

• Fit system — The Cytal features a variable adjustment system, including removable front brow pads for enhanced ventilation, adjustable straps (up, down, side-to-side), and a vertical adjustment on the rear cradle, allowing each rider to fine-tune their fit.

• Eye garage — Integrated eye garage to keep sunglasses securely in position.

• Sizes — Small (50–56), Medium (54–59), Large (56–61).

• Weight and certification — CE/EN: Small: 250 g / Medium: 270 g / Large: 300 g

• Price — $350 USD

• Certification — The Cytal EF Pro Cycling Ed will be available in CE and CPSC certification.

Born and based in Stockholm, Sweden, POC is a safety and performance pioneer on a global mission: protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one. Creating all types of protection for cycling and snow sports, POC uses research, scientific methods and rigorous testing in its pursuit of innovation.