Lidl-Trek announce partnership with Aerosensor in the hunt for aero gains

Lidl-Trek have partnered with equipment company Aerosensor in order to find ways to optimise rider aerodynamics.

Pro cycling is obsessed with aerodynamics and making riders and equipment as slippery through the wind as possible. For most teams, this means hiring a wind tunnel at great expense in order to maximise rider efficiency.

This is where the Aerosensor comes in. This is a device that uses a combination of sensors and power data to work out a rider's CdA (coefficient of drag) and allow for changes in equipment and position to be trialled with immediate feedback.

• Read more: Aerosensor ACS to act as a virtual wind tunnel

Koen de Kort, Lidl-Trek's Team Support Manager said: “At Lidl-Trek, we’re working hard to improve, to grow. We aim to be the best and that means looking for innovations, discovering the smallest detail that can make a difference, and thinking ahead of our competitors. That’s our daily challenge and if we want to succeed, we need technical partners able to take us to the next step. For us, that’s Aerosensor.”

The device is comprised of two separate sensors, one which measures airflow and aerodynamic drag, and a secondary sensor that measures the rider's position. By combining the data on airflow and the rider's position with data from a power meter, the software can calculate the drag coefficient of the rider. Teams can use this figure to test equipment options and different rider positions.

For those looking for a brief explanation of exactly what Aerosensor is, its creator Dr Garood explains: “Aerosensor works by combining data from a cyclist’s road speed sensor and power meter with its own air flow measurements to accurately calculate the aerodynamic drag coefficient (CdA).”

“The CdA is generally consistent regardless of the speed, meaning it’s a reliable measure of how aerodynamically efficient a rider is. By lowering the CdA, they can maintain or increase their speed using less power. At moderate speeds, about 25 mph, roughly 70-80% of a rider’s power is utilised in overcoming air resistance. This proportion increases as speeds rise, so at 35 mph air resistance can account for up to 90% of a rider’s power output.”

• Read more: Past, present and future of road bike tech: Aerodynamics with Cervélo co-founder Gerard Vroomen

The team has already been putting the product to good use through their winter training camps.

“In the training camp of December and in the one that is currently taking place we have taken full advantage of Aerosensors’ technology with many tests, both with road and time trial bikes. Aerosensor’s technology will be useful also in race context, providing us information on wind speed as well as support in defining pacing strategy for time trials," de Kort added.

Will we see more teams looking to use technology like this that allows more consistent testing throughout the year? It will certainly be interesting to see where this type of technology goes.

What do you think of the Aerosensor and would this be something you would be interested in trialling if you were given the opportunity? Let us know in the comments below.