Team Jumbo-Visma aims for time gain in wind tunnel
The past few months, Team Jumbo-Visma has been busy carrying out various tests in the wind tunnel under the leadership of Head of Performance Mathieu Heijboer. By collecting different types of data, the Dutch team hopes to be at the start of the upcoming races with the best possible knowledge.
“We’ve had several test days over the past few months”, Heijboer says. “First of all, we started to experiment with the new Cervélo bikes in November. In the course of time we have done a number of studies with Primoz Roglic, and also Steven Kruijswijk and Tony Martin have visited. We mainly spent a lot of time on the material. Here we are looking for the best set-up of a bike. We’ve collected a lot of data on that.”
"It's an endless process of trying to find the perfect combination of material and clothing."
Not only the bike of the riders plays an important role. Clothing is also essential. “Everything is focused on saving time. Besides the bike, the aerodynamics of clothing are also very important. Clothing sponsor AGU came for a few days to examine different fits. In collaboration with professor Bert Blocken, AGU has tried to develop the fastest possible clothing. This applies to both a time trial suit and the outfit for a ride in line. It's an endless process of trying to find the perfect combination of material and clothing”, explains Heijboer.
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Dummy
The Technical University Eindhoven (TU/e), in consultation with Team Jumbo-Visma, has developed several 3D models of cyclists in recent years. Heijboer explains that the purpose of all this is to be able to test more and better. “We once started with a dummy of current team leader Grischa Niermann. Over the years we have become even more specific and we have also made models of Primoz and Wout van Aert. This allows us to test the ideal position, the helmet and different types of clothing. We can now examine more and more often without physically needing the riders in question.”
"The great thing about a day in the wind tunnel is that you always come home with more questions than answers."
“With this project, it’s not like we’re working towards a certain end goal”, says Heijboer. “It’s part of the constant development we want to go through. We are always looking to be better and faster. What we discover today may be outdated tomorrow. Every time you progress a little bit. That gives us satisfaction. The great thing about a day in the wind tunnel is that you always come home with more questions than answers. We can use those new questions to get back to work the next day. That makes the work so much fun and addictive at the same time.”
