The wind in a box

Containing the wind in a tunnel was a great invention that has become increasingly necessary in professional cycling.
Better understanding how to defy air resistance is an expedient that gives surprising results that can make an entire sports season unforgettable.
Until now, the ability to be aerodynamic has proved fundamental in velodromes or in the street, when explosive speed is needed in the final kilometres of the race. However, over time, we have realised that it can also prove decisive in general rankings of major stage races.

Evidence confirms this claim: between 2015 and 2019, considering the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, only once was the separation between the first and the second in the standings more than two minutes. And, if we include, the Vuelta a Espana, only three times has been the gap greater than one hundred twenty seconds. This means that some coach, with his head in his hands, has certainly asked himself: “How did we ever manage to lose the race? Where did we lose that minute and a half in 83 hours on the road?”

This is where profiles of the timed stages raise their gigantic heads and the weight of lost seconds becomes unbearable. So, the wind tunnel is both the only consolation and the only hope to take back those split seconds that, multiplied by the number of kilometres travelled, can make a competitive season absolutely wonderful. This awareness pursues technicians and riders even when the competition season is afar off, because the ideal wind tunnel – The Boardman Performance Center – is located in Worcester, a short way from Birmingham, while the best track to test new data that the wind tunnel provides is in Valencia.

In this way, the results obtained and the split seconds earned travel from the headquarters of the professional teams, to Spain, Great Britain, and to the premises of the top bicycle manufacturers.
These considerations also offer the ancient professions of bicycle manufacturer and mechanics prospects bordering on astronautics and that come to fruition on vehicles that increasingly slice through the air.
However, all this should not be considered only to the advantage of professionals, those who win or lose an important place in a great stage race in a handful of seconds, because the results of laboratory tests quickly end up being included in Wilier’s normal cycle range. Therefore, reduced fatigue will be within the reach of all who love our brand and, knowing the amateur rivalry speeding along backroads, those riding one of our bikes can say with an air of superiority: “My bike was designed by Chris Boardman. If you know what I mean!”.

A great way to intimidate your cycling companion right from the beginning of the ride.