Through the eyes of Tadej Pogačar: Scicon Aeroscope
Scicon Aeroscope, the sports performance glasses that provide unique comfort! Journalists often ask Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) about the “secret” of his victories, and there are already 15 this season. The Slovenian cyclist often cites his training and the people around him as the reasons for his success, but could it be what’s around his eyes and protecting him so faithfully?
In this article, we give you all the information about Scicon’s Aeroscope, a new model of cycling glasses, and look at the achievements UAE Team Emirates has already made with them, including João Almeida’s historic podium finish at the Giro!
Story with João Almeida
The Aeroscope were launched in May 2023 during the Giro d’Italia by Italian sports brand Scicon Sports. This means that they were used by João Almeida and all the UAE Team Emirates cyclists who protected him, over 3 weeks, in the conquest of the historic 3rd place in the general classification, in addition to the youth classification.
It is a fact that no Portuguese could take his eyes off the multimedia screens on May 23, when Almeida beat Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) and raised his arms on the top of the Monde Bondone on the 16th day of competition. João Almeida won for the first time in a Grand Tour using the Aeroscope!
Monuments with Tadej Pogačar
It was João Almeida who first officially wore the Aeroscope, but Tadej Pogačar had already had its faithful company in April. It was here that he confirmed a versatility that could cement his place among the best in history by winning the Tour of Flanders.
This was followed by the Amstel Gold Race, where the Aeroscope passed with flying colors the test of its ability to protect the rider’s eyes from the heavy rain, a safety factor that will have weighed heavily on his ability to attacked at 30 kilometers from the finish line and never be reached. On the contray, the sun shined on the Flèche Wallone and also in the Pogačar empire, where it never sets, making it necessary to avoid reflections to not get caught.
Even in the most difficult moments, such as the crash in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the subsequent recovery, Aeroscope was always with him, returning to training, increasing the intensity and finally returning to competition at the end of July with the title of Slovenian national champion.
All-terrain glasses for an all-terrain cyclist! In sickness and in health, in happiness and in sadness, on the road and on the mountain, Aeroscope are with Tadej Pogačar and naturally, they are now his glasses of choice for the Tour de France, which he aims to win for the third time.
Another Tour for Tadej Pogačar?
All eyes are on the Tour this July, intently focused on the every move of Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogačar himself.
The duel between the two men has been the highlight of the competition: in stage 5 we had a superb performance from Vingegaard, getting very close to the yellow jersey and above all, gaining 1 minute on his direct opponent. But Pogačar didn’t let up and in stage 6, after a superb attack, he became the big winner at the finish line in Cauterets-Cambasque, leaving Vingegaard 24 seconds behind. He would beat him again, by 7 seconds, at Puy de Dôme. Since then, the stages have been marked by close marking between the two great riders of this generation.
Also noteworthy was the performance of Adam Yates, Tadej Pogačar’s teammate, in this Tour. The British rider also chose Aeroscope and crossed the finish line victorious in Bilbao with them, after escaping the favorites with his twin brother Simon, and became the first yellow jersey holder in the 2023 edition.
The return to head-to-head action between Pogačar and Vingegaard is set for today, the 13th stage of the Tour, arriving at the mythical Grand Colombier! It will be 17.4 kilometers with an average gradient of 7.1%, where we expect a lot of action from the favorites and movements in the general classification. Will Pogačar see the finish line first, through the lens of his Aeroscope, and get the much-desired yellow jersey?
Aeroscope
Scicon launched the Aeroscopes under the banner of “personalizing your overall eyewear experience, key to limitless performance” and caught the attention of UAE Team Emirates.
Cycling glasses are famous for their extravagant designs and colours. However, their main function is not aesthetic, but protective. In a high-speed sport such as cycling, safety is of the utmost importance and this accessory, by allowing to safeguard one of the most sensitive organs of the human body, protects athletes and consequently, prevents accidents.
Cycling glasses are important for:
- Protecting against UV rays;
- Avoiding foreign bodies;
- Preventing tearing/dry eyes;
- Safety;
- Comfort;
- Better visualization of obstacles.
In the past few years, several brands have been developing performance-enhancing technologies for eyewear, a category to which Scicon Sports belongs. As we have already seen, the Aeroscope model has been the number one choice of UAE Team Emirates, accompanying the team in several important victories.
But what is so special about this model that it has been present in monumental and even historic achievements? That’s what we wanted to find out.
Aeroscope lenses have the “classic” design of cycling lenses, with all the features designed to improve performance, redefining the fit of glasses, valuing comfort and resulting in aerodynamic gains,
Regarding the new model, Scicon highlights how it “goes beyond the expected and offers personalized precision for the best cycling experience”, paying careful attention to the needs of professional cyclists in its design, hence it was conceived in partnership with them.
Aeroscope is defined by four key features, focusing on the adjustability and improvement of cyclists performance: Scala™; The Horizon Adapt™; VenteX™; Pantoscopic tilt of 12°.
Scala™
Scala™ is the name chosen by Scicon for the main feature of the Aeroscope design, it’s the length-adjustable temple arms, that can be adjusted in length by 15mm. This technology allows the rider to aim for the ideal fit for any helmet retention system and head dimension in a quick and easy way: “Effortlessly extend or retract the temple arms to set the length that suits your needs, ensuring maximum comfort and stability on your rides.”
The Horizon Adapt™
The Horizon Adapt™ mechanism is a height-adjustable nosepiece, customizable by 5mm, allowing the users to easily fine-tune the field of vision with precision, adapted to the person and their comfort position. Is expected that this technology is going to help to increase 10% in the available field of vision.
VenteX™
Large lenses can be prone to misting, but this feature helps to prevent that, through a funnel allocated in the top center of the lens, out of the field of vision, protecting the user’s view from direct light. This mechanism eases airflow and also allows the user to switch lenses easily, using the interchangeable lens system.
Pantoscopic tilt of 12°.
Last but not least, the lens is tilted downwards at 12 degrees, which Scicon states is” twice the angle of standard eyewear”, according to the tests carried out this is the optimum degree for cyclists when wearing a helmet, reducing aerodynamic resistance, and in turn improving the rider performance.
Still curious? Find out more in the video below!
Additionally, Aeroscope are fitted with the brand’s SCN-PP UV400 lens, which blocks all light up to 400 NM, including UVA and UVB rays. The hydrophobic and oleophobic (oil-resistant) treatment of the lens ensures clear vision, even in challenging conditions. The frame is made of bio-based plastics, setting the motto for the brand’s environmental concern, making the frame lighter and more durable, the weight of the Aeroscope is 35g, enhancing one of its characteristics: its lightness.
The Aeroscope have been tested and approved by several World Tour cyclists, including Rui Oliveira! For his glasses, the Portuguese cyclist has only praise:
“They are very cool; they are very lightweight and have important features for a professional cyclist. They are comfortable, do not make heat in the face and the lenses are of extreme quality.”.
Rui Oliveira, UAE Team Emirates
The Aeroscope is available in 10 replaceable lens types and 4 frame colors at a cost of €220 on Scicon’s official website. In addition, spare lenses can be purchased for just €80. A quality offer at a competitive price, for protection and safety on the road!
