The two sponsorship superpowers just sent Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe<\/a> down a 1.7-mile tunnel filled with helium bubbles and laser beams.<\/p>\n Why?<\/p>\n To dial in its data models.<\/p>\n Yes, you read that right. The \u201cPIV\u201d testing carried out by cycling\u2019s new powerhouse won\u2019t directly inform the bike fits or skinsuits of its new superstar Remco Evenepoel<\/a>.<\/p>\n They were tests to dial in other tests, data models, and aerodynamic trickery.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an application of technology typically reserved for F1 and aerospace that cranks up the stakes in cycling\u2019s super-team arms race of science, facilities, and artificial intelligence.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAs a point of progression, this is pivotal. As far as I\u2019m aware, it\u2019s the first time a cyclist has been through a PIV laser sheet,\u201d Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe performance engineer Dan Bigham told Velo.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a massive step forward for us, but it\u2019s also a statement of intent of where we want to get to.\u201d<\/p>\n This \u201cfirst in cycling\u201d use of PIV \u2013 \u201cParticle Imaging Velocimetry\u201d \u2013 provides a glimpse into cycling\u2019s wild new future of escalating budgets and sizeable stakes.<\/p>\n Red Bull plans to be the first to step through cycling\u2019s Stargate.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not only about bringing performance this very moment or second, or potentially even in the coming months or next year. It\u2019s something that\u2019s about long-term development,\u201d Bigham said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not here for short-term, quick wins. We\u2019re here for long-term, sustainable, high-level performance.\u201d<\/p>\n And you thought data engineers<\/a>, performance centers, and $20k super bikes were extreme?<\/p>\n Turns out it\u2019s only the start.<\/p>\n An underground tunnel, some bubbles, and some lasers \u2026 [yes, this is cycling] Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe could barely contain its excitement when it uncorked a press statement explaining its new PIV nerdery.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the beginning of a new era in cycling. It\u2019s fundamental research that will shape the development processes of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and Specialized for years to come. Because those who understand the air, control the race,\u201d read the note published this week.<\/p>\n So what the heck merits all this hype?<\/p>\n Bora-Bull conducted its \u201crace-controlling\u201d research at the Catesby Tunnel<\/a>, a one-of-a-kind facility based down a decommissioned railway tunnel in the green mundanity of central England.<\/p>\n LaVision \u2013 a leading force in aerospace software and research \u2013 came along for the ride.<\/p>\n Catesby\u2019s 1.7-mile long, 27-foot wide (2.7km x 8.2m) tunnel hasn\u2019t seen a train in more than 60 years. But it has been welcoming motorsport teams and aero aficionados ever since a bunch of nerds bought it out and built \u201cThe Catesby Project\u201d in 2021.<\/p>\n The dead-straight, fully sealed tube offers engineers a fully controlled environment. There\u2019s no wind, the temperature is controlled, and the gradients are known.<\/p>\n It\u2019s perfect for PIV testing, a technology that\u2019s been used in F1 for decades.<\/p>\n \u201cParticle Imaging Velocimetry\u201d uses millions of microscopic helium bubbles illuminated by lasers to make air movement visible.<\/p>\n It enables eight super-speed cameras to capture and measure the movement of the \u201crough air\u201d left in the wake of a car, bike, or space-thingy as it zooms through the ethereal green cloud.<\/p>\n The data has a real-world accuracy that can\u2019t be matched by the CFD [Computational Fluid Dynamics] aerodynamic models run by the super-computers of the pro cycling\u2019s biggest teams.<\/p>\n What\u2019s the point? Red Bull and its science guru Bigham plans to use PIV data to fine-tune the CFD simulations they run to tweak bike fits and equipment choices.<\/p>\n \u201cThe combination of CFD, wind tunnel, track, and real-world testing creates an integrated system that allows performance and rider positions to be analysed with unprecedented precision,\u201d the Red Bull team wrote this week.<\/p>\n \u201cPIV is the next frontier of giving true confidence and correlation across all of these test domains.\u201d<\/p>\n But why not just send Remco down the tunnel and perfect his position from that?<\/p>\n A punchy price point is the first factor blocking regular visits. The Catesby Tunnel lists a $20k day rate that\u2019s steep even for $10 billion Red Bull and its $50 million cycling team.<\/p>\n But more to the point, Bigham wants to be able to finesse the set-ups of Evenepoel, Florian Lipowitz, and Primoz Rogli\u010d from his desk.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SI202510141044-1200x800.jpg\"\/)
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe is reportedly the first cycling team to use PIV technology. (Photo: George Marshall \/ Red Bull Content Pool)<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2158968683.jpg\"\/)
Red Bull sees Evenepoel and Lipowitz as its grand tour future as Rogli\u010d rides toward retirement. (Photo: CHRISTINE POUJOULAT\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/GettyImages-2239961078.jpg\"\/)
Red Bull won\u2019t stop until its won its dream Tour de France. (Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Red](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SI202506010770-1200x800.jpg\"\/)
Red Bull has the multi-sport clout to change cycling \u2013 and in this case at the Giro d\u2019Italia, isn\u2019t afraid to show it off. (Photo: Gabriele Seghizzi \/ Red Bull Content Pool)<\/p>\n