Pogacar's €1,200 saddle
The well-known Italian saddle brand Prologo, sponsor of the UAE Team Emirates, has developed an innovative time trial saddle that not only helps the cyclist maintain the demanding position on the bike, but is also designed to take into account the airflow circulating between the cyclist's legs to scratch a little more aerodynamic resistance.
Prologo Predator, Tadej Pogacar's new aerodynamic saddle
During the last Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar had a spectacular performance in the two time trials that took place. In the first flat one, he was very close to victory, only surpassed by a splendid Remco Evenepoel, while in the second one, he left no chance for his rivals and achieved his 6th stage victory in the 2024 edition.
In time trial tests, where everything is measured to scratch performance from every angle, the saddle is an essential element as it allows the cyclist to pedal efficiently despite doing it with an unsustainable hip flexion for most mortals. In that situation, the saddle must maintain a certain level of comfort, especially because the cyclist tends to sit on the perineum at the tip of it, and above all, it must ensure that the pelvis remains stable.
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The importance of the saddle's setback
The new Prologo Predator saddle dispenses with rails and, instead, uses a wide carbon fiber base that improves the connection between the seatpost and the saddle, achieving a more direct connection between the cyclist and his bike.
On the other hand, the shell, also made of carbon fiber, has lateral fins developed using fluid dynamics software to analyze and improve how air flows through that area, which they achieve by acting as a windscreen in front of the rail area and the seatpost head, preventing air from passing through a turbulence-generating area. They also add a small rear spoiler to guide the air coming out of the area horizontally, reducing drag.
Regarding the position, Prologo has equipped this Predator with a larger flat surface seeking the stability we mentioned at the beginning. The upper part is covered with minimal padding, resulting in a weight of just 140 grams. However, so much technology comes at a price, and the price of this Prologo Predator goes up to a whopping 1,200 euros.