Marking its first major venture into sponsoring an elite triathlete, Belgium’s Ridley Bikes has signed a three year agreement with Belgian triathlon star Rutger Beke. The triathlete opted to work with Ridley for its advanced aerodynamic technology featured in the flagship Ridley Noah and Ridley Dean models.
Bolstering its triathlon and time trial credentials, Ridley has invested significantly over the last three years in wind tunnel testing and aerodynamics research, which has resulted in the Dean (for triathlon and time trial) and the Noah (for race and Olympic triathlon).
Ridley has established itself in the bicycle industry with a claimed ‘aerodynamic revolution’ by developing the R-flow concept. The R-flow concept is based on two patented technologies:
Firstly, Jet foils: slotted razor-sharp airfoils on the front fork blades and seat stays, redirect the airflow away from the turbulence of the rotating wheels and create a vacuum that aims to defeat aerodynamic drag. The R-Flow Jet Foils are a further development of Oval jetstream and are optimized according to principles similar to that used in F1 racing.
Secondly, R-Surface: the application of a special texture on strategic locations on the frame; these areas are determined through oil-mapping, which highlights problem areas on the frame for poor airflow. R-Surface allows the air to travel more smoothly along the frame, thus avoiding drag. The use of R-Surface on the new Dean and Noah makes Ridley the first company in the bicycle industry to use this specific aerodynamic technology.
Ridley’s Marketing Manager Anthony Kumpen noted that “Rutger had a great performance at Ironman last year finishing 3rd overall despite a four minute penalty. The combination of his strength with the aerodynamic advantages of the [Ridley] Dean, we are confident that we’ll see the Dean on a podium finish this year.”
Beke finished in the top five during his last six outings at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. He has also collected numerous Belgian titles in all triathlon categories. Beke became a professional triathlete in January 2003. He is fully employed by BLOSO, the Flemish governmental sports organization. Before becoming a pro triathlete, Rutger worked as a lifeguard at the Kessel-Lo/Leuven swimming pool.
Beke, who excels in the triathlon bike section, is very enthusiastic about his season ahead with Ridley. The results of the first Ridley Dean test with Beke, at the Blaarmeersen race track in Ghent, noted an advantage of 20 watts at 45km/h against his bicycle of last year. According to Ridley, this is just a start and there is still room for improvement. ‘There are still 15 to 20 watts to be won,’ according to Ridley engineers.
“From the aerodynamic benefits to cycling offered with the R-flow concept, as an athlete you can not immediately feel something, but the measured results are really amazing,” noted Beke. “[A] 20 watt advantage, after only a first test on this new bike, is astonishing – and there is still potential. What immediately struck me was that the manoeuvrability and the geometry of the Dean is great. The bike just feels right, " Beke added.
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