Pic of the Day 12th February, 2007 Fifty-Six Years Ago
Racing in Hairnet Helmets, 1951
http://www.wooljersey.com/
Scene from the 1951 "Ronde du Carnival" in Aix-en-Provence, France. There are a variety of styles of hairnet helmets visible here. The race was won by Antonin Canavese (France). Seen here, from the left, Saveur Neri (Italy) leads Raphaël Geminiani (France), Fernand Decanali (France), Lucien Cathelin (France), and Victor Pernac (France). From "But et Club" No.280, 12 February 1951.
Helmet's weren't unheard-of in the pro ranks, even in the 1940s and 1950s... it all depended on the difficulties and dangers presented by the race course. Even at the Tour de France, some riders chose to use helmets during certain stages, and not just in the Benelux countries. Even Fausto Coppi wore a helmet on particularly dangerous stages during his winning ride in the 1952 Tour.
Aldo Ross
Middletown, Ohio