Pro cycling speeds have gotten faster and faster. But what role has tech played in that? One of the chief architects of that evolution has been the performance engineer Jean-Paul Ballard, and we sat down with him at the Immenstadt wind tunnel in Germany to discuss all the things that make riders faster and the things that don't. As well as the things that will make us faster in the future!
He’s a fascinating person to speak to, so we hope you enjoy our conversation!
⏱️ Timestamps: ⏱️
00:00 Intro
01:22 Cycling Is A Lot Faster Now… How Much Of That Is Down To Tech?
04:48 Can You Quantify The Difference Between Marco Pantani And Tadej Pogačar On A Climb?
08:15 Are All Teams Equal Regarding Tech? Or Are There Teams At A Significant Disadvantage?
11:09 Which Marginal Gains Are Not Worth It?
12:32 Tyre Width Gains & Losses
16:30 What Would You Like To Be Able To Measure, But Can’t At The Moment?
19:35 What Is The Future In Terms Of Cycling Aerodynamics?
22:24 Will Handlebars Get Narrower?
22:34 Has Technology Played A Part In More Accidents In Bike Races?
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