Red Bull and Evenepoel take cycling into the Formula 1 era

The tests used millions of microscopic helium bubbles illuminated by green lasers to capture and record precise air-movement patterns around riders and bikes, providing new insights into cycling aerodynamics.

"We want to understand what's really happening - not just whether something is faster or slower. With this PIV test, we're finally looking beneath the surface of aerodynamics - making visible what was previously unseen in cycling. We're bringing Formula 1 technology onto two wheels and creating knowledge that will change the sport," says Dan Bigham, Head of Engineering at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in the team's press release.

The tests required extraordinary precision, with more than 100 identical runs through the decommissioned railway tunnel’s controlled environment, each time passing through a curtain of helium bubbles and laser light.

Bigham, who also participated in the testing, described the experience: "Riding through a laser beam - that's not something you do every day. Seeing the airflows around me live for the first time was fascinating. Normally, we only know whether something is faster, but not why. Today we could actually see the why. For me as an engineer, that's pure magic."

The collaboration between the cycling team, equipment manufacturer and measurement specialist LaVision represents a significant step forward in bringing advanced motorsport testing methodologies into professional cycling, with potential long-term implications for equipment design and rider positioning. Previously, a link between cycling and Formula 1 was seen when Bahrain Victorious partnered with McLaren, though that project ended after one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Building on this push for innovation, it follows news from last week that Red Bull’s star rider Remco Evenepoel had been conducting aerodynamic testing in the United States with Specialized, where the Belgian spent more than 15 hours in testing.

As Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe continues to chase ever smaller marginal gains at the top of professional cycling, the team has also strengthened its leadership with the addition of experienced sports director Allan Peiper, who joins as Strategic Advisor to the Sports Department. Peiper played a key role in guiding Tadej Pogacar to his first Tour de France victory before stepping back in 2021 following a cancer diagnosis.