After four years of intensive research, BMC and Red Bull Advanced Technologies present the results of a joint project to develop ‘the world’s fastest race bike.’
BMC first collaborated with Red Bull Advanced Technologies in 2018, with the aim of using tools developed to boost performance in Formula One on the design and development of high-performance bikes.
BMC utilized Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ extensive simulation and modelling capacity for design decisions to optimize speed, power, and ride quality.
Stefan Christ, Head of R&D at BMC Switzerland said “The simulation know-how of Red Bull Advanced Technologies is very complementary to our in-house expertise of bicycle design and structural knowledge. Simulating not only the vehicle performance, but the entire performance environment, offers huge opportunities in the collaboration and finally makes BMC athletes even faster.
“Building the prototypes in our very own Impec Lab here in Grenchen, Switzerland helped us to be fast in development but also realizing exactly our vision of the bike.”
The project was aided by human racing expertise in the shape of Olympic medalist and multiple Tour de France stage winner, BMC ambassador Fabian Cancellara. The time trial ‘legend’ was involved at every stage of the development, providing feedback on ride quality and performance, through development and prototyping.
“Two worlds from different sports have come together to create something cycling has never seen before. It has been fascinating to be involved in this project from its early stages, to continually test the athlete and machine interface. Being part of the development of a cutting-edge bike, employing some radical principles and being given the chance to influence its performance from a rider perspective has been amazing. The finished prototype is incredible, and I look forward to what’s next,” Cancellara said.
The result of the research is an aerodynamic design philosophy that claims to push the boundaries of performance.
For David Zurcher, CEO of BMC Switzerland this is only the beginning: “At BMC, we strive to continuously innovate the riding experience to a maximum. This project has already produced incredible results that demonstrate how BMC’s Research and Development was turbo-charged by Red Bull Advances Technologies’ capabilities.
“High performance is in both of our DNAs. This prototype really is the first Formula One bike and is sure to greatly impact the future of our racing bikes.”
The first test of the project, produced at the BMC Impec Lab, will make its competition debut at the 2021 IRONMAN World Championship at St George in Utah, ridden by Red Bull Athlete and BMC Pro Triahlon Team Member Patrik Nilsson.
Andy Damerum, Red Bull Advanced Technologies Commercial Development Officer, said “We started out with the ambition to design the fastest bike in the world. We’re incredibly proud of what we have achieved with BMC.
“We took our Formula One methodologies in aerodynamics and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) and applied it to bike design, resulting in a bike that we believe has the potential to be a game changer.”
www.bmc-switzerland.com
www.redbulladvancedtechnologies.com
