Successful windtunneltest on French race circuit

The last two days Vacansoleil-DCM did some wind tunnel testing at Aero Concept Engineering on the racetrack of Magny-Cours. Wout Poels, Lieuwe Westra, Gustav Larsson and Thomas de Gendt did get the chance to test the material and their position for almost twenty hours .

Operational Manager Jean-Paul van Poppel thought the test are a logical next step for the team; “There are a lot of chances for improvement and innovation and we consider many options for the team. At the end of 2010 we chose a path for further professionalization. Examples, which are successful are for example the Game Ready, the Cycleops powertap, the registration of time-trails with cameras and the signing of exercise physiologist Marc Lamberts. Investing in aerodynamics seemed to us as a logical and useful step for the development of our cyclists and materials. We have considered the investment against the potential result. From the results of these tests we think our talents, GC riders and time trial specialist will benefit over the next two years.”

Van Poppel saw immediate result. “We have learned a lot on both the position of the rider and the materials. The changes on the positions of the riders must now be tested on the road but in theory there will be progress by all riders of percentages. We saw a couple of unexpected suggestions which seemed to work. Also on the side of the materials to be used we compared a few things and the whole team can benefit from the results.”

It was worth the big investment according to van Poppel. “75% of the resistance for a rider comes from the riders own body. And all four have achieved to decrease that resistance in the last few days. It’s a pleasure to have a tunnel, for two days, where also Formula 1 teams are doing tests during the year. The relationship with these people at Magny-Cours is built up and the knowledge and experience is a long term investment. Personally I thought it was great to see the eagerness of the riders about getting the knowledge on positions and aerodynamics.”

Previous page>