Airbags have become an indispensable part of cars and are also standard equipment in alpine ski racing and MotoGP. They’ve also been available for everyday cyclists for about 15 years. Now they’re making their way into the Downhill World Cup, where Dainese and Alpinestars tested sensor-based vests. Alpinestars is now bringing them to market.

Protectors and long tours are always a tricky thing. Many models are big and bulky and take up a lot of space in your rucksack. You often think twice about carrying them with you. With the "Paragon Lite" protectors from Alpinestars, there's no need to think twice as they take up very little space.

There are products that you never really want to need, but which you can't avoid in bike sports. Helmets and protectors are actually limiting factors, but they are bitterly needed if you leave the desired direction of travel or man and machine unintentionally separate. And unfortunately, that happens to all of us from time to time.