Originally written in German. Translated to English by AI — please excuse any awkward phrasing.
The race marshals at the Challenge Kraichgau bike check-in were very thorough — and they found something. My TT helmet is defective and I’m not allowed to race with it tomorrow.
The reason: two approximately 5mm-long “cracks in the outer shell” (direct quote from the marshal), which can no longer guarantee safety…
The initial shock was significant, especially because I don’t quite see it the way the marshal does. In principle he’s right — there’s a crack, and that’s against the rules. BUT: the underlying material is completely undamaged and just as solid as before the crack. It really is just a crack in that 1mm-thick outer shell…
The helmet has never been crashed. The cracks are most likely from putting it on — the helmet is very tight and you have to really press on exactly that spot around the ear to get it on your head.
As if I’d had a premonition, I’d brought my regular helmet along just in case — so I’ll race with that tomorrow. Not ideal, but better than not starting. The one silver lining is that this didn’t happen at Ironman Frankfurt. I still have time to get a new TT helmet before then.
I wasn’t the only one who got “sorted out,” by the way — there were several other unlucky souls. Apparently someone was on a mission…