Golden edge

Report: Ryan Pedler
Photography: Greg Ford and Melissa Di Ciero

Monash University's mechanical and aerospace engineers have joined Australia's Olympic gold medal campaign.

They're teaming up with elite cyclist Cadel Evans to test aerodynamics at Monash's wind tunnel and hone what could be a winning edge.

After last year finishing runner-up in the Tour de France, one of the toughest sporting events on the planet, Australian cyclist Cadel Evans says Monash University could help him go one better and win gold at this year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

As part of a new partnership between Monash and the Australian Institute of Sport's (AIS) elite cycling program, Evans recently used the University's wind tunnel in the lead up to the Games.

In a two-hour session, twin five-metre tall fans blew winds of up to 70kmh at Evans while he pedalled furiously on a stationary bicycle held in a specially-designed rig.

Monash University mechanical and aerospace engineering experts were also hard at work, using sensitive equipment located in the wind tunnel's floor to measure the aerodynamic efficiency of various riding positions, as well as the amount of force placed on various types of wheels, handle bars, helmets, pedals, even shoes and suits that could be used at Beijing.

"In a short period of time, we got a lot of accurate information, which is most important," a delighted Evans said after the testing session.

The AIS estimates a 10 per cent improvement in Evans' aerodynamics would shave up to a minute off his time over the 245km road race.

"It's invaluable information in my profession, because if we can save one minute it might be the difference between winning a gold medal and winning nothing at the Olympics," Evans said.

Monash wind tunnel manager David Burton said the aim was to find the options that attracted the least wind force but still allowed Evans to produce optimum power.

"It's important for us and the AIS to work together so you can combine expertise on aerodynamics and biomechanics – the two really need to come together," Mr Burton said.

Skiers, the Winter Olympic female skeleton team (the sport involves sliding down a track head-first on a small sled), V8 super cars and sailing teams have all used the wind tunnel to boost their sporting chances.

The tunnel has a working section four metres high and 12 metres wide, making it the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere and large enough to fit a small truck. It can produce winds of up to 180kmh.

AIS physiologist David Martin said working with the Monash experts had been terrific because their professionalism was matched by their enthusiasm to get the best result for the cyclists.

"They really get genuinely excited about potentially helping Cadel Evans win a medal," he said.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Katie Mactier is another elite AIS cyclist using the Monash wind tunnel to prepare for Beijing. She's set to compete in the 3000m individual pursuit, an event where medal winners are often separated by fractions of a second.

"This testing is really cutting edge and it's what the best are doing in order to be better prepared," she said.

"In the past we've been limited in terms of having access to facilities like this, compared to our competitors. But we can go now and know when we're competing at world-class events that we're on an even playing field and that we've left no stone unturned."

Mr Burton said the Monash staff got a great buzz out of working with athletes like Evans and Mactier.

"We feel like we are working as part of a team towards the same goal. We see ourselves as contributing to the AIS and Australia's sporting endeavours.

"We're looking to work together much more in the future," he said. "It's all part of a developing relationship that will involve sharing research with the AIS and Monash on bio-mechanics and aerodynamics. In the future it may well involve undergraduate and postgraduate students. "If we can further research and help ensure Olympic gold, then that is a great result for everyone."

For more information, visit the Fluid Mechanics website.