That Triathlon Show
We Are Nowhere Near Peak Aero | Marc Graveline, Aerodynamics Consultant
Marc Graveline is an aerodynamics consultant who works with WorldTour cycling teams as well as professional (e.g. Chelsea Sodaro, Lionel Sanders) and amateur triathletes, and road and gravel cyclists. He co-developed the Notio Konect, the first consumer on-bike aero sensor, and now develops his own device, the Gizmo. He also led the testing programme behind IRONMAN's decision to move the professional draft zone from 12 to 20 metres. We cover how to run an aero test you can actually trust, what to test and in what order, tyres and tyre pressure, and what IRONMAN's draft-zone testing actually found. HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY TOPICS: Why Marc disagrees with the idea that we have reached peak aero, and where he still sees the largest untapped gains across road racing, triathlon and gravel. Wind tunnel, velodrome or road: what each venue is good for, why he validates everything on the road, and where an age grouper without an unlimited budget should start. Building a road test you can trust: choosing a venue, how long an out-and-back should be, how many repeats, the ABBA protocol, and the single mistake that ruins more test sessions than anything else. The hierarchy of what to test, from position down to hydration, and where the biggest gains will come from. Why head position drives so much of the result, and why the change you make to your position is often not the thing that actually makes you faster. Helmets and skinsuits: which two helmets kept finishing first and second when 21 age groupers worked through a dozen of them at an aero camp, how heat and visibility should be weighed against the CdA number, and how much a custom skinsuit really buys you over one off the shelf. Tyres: what WorldTour riders on good roads are actually running for pressure, why erring on one side costs you more than the other, whether wider really is faster, and why a tyre that wins in the wind tunnel can still be the wrong choice for your race. The IRONMAN draft-zone testing: the stacking effect that showed up at 12 metres, what changed at 20, what those charts with no y-axis were actually trying to say, and the call to Magnus Ditlev's aerodynamicist that confirmed it in the real world. SHOWNOTES, LINKS, RESOURCES AND RELATED EPISODES: Follow Marc Graveline on Instagram . He is the first to admit he barely posts, but a DM is a good way to reach him with a question. The shownotes for today's episode can be found here . The full podcast episode archives (including category filters) can be found here . Related episodes: Tire pressure, aerodynamics, and smart equipment upgrades with Josh Poertner | EP#235 Dan Bigham: aerodynamic testing, equipment, and making your bike fast | EP#229 The Hour record and aerodynamics with Dan Bigham | EP#368 Bernardo Gonçalves | EP#397 The latest on aero sensors and aero testing with Michael Liberzon | EP#339 Aerodynamic testing in the field with Michael Liberzon | EP#294 Resources and tools mentioned: GoldenCheetah - free software for virtual elevation (Chung method) testing. Bicycle Rolling Resistance - the rolling resistance database Marc uses as a starting point. Silca tyre pressure calculator SPONSORS: Precision Fuel & Hydration produce our favourite gels, sports drinks, and electrolyte and carbohydrate products here at That Triathlon Show and Scientific Triathlon. 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