Hunt for
the X-Factor:
Is Science Going to Make Pavel Kelemen
the Winner?

Hunt for <br> the X-Factor:<br> Is Science Going to Make Pavel Kelemen <br>the Winner?

Olympic track-cycling is the world where hundredths of seconds separate the worst from the best.

15. 8. 2016 Lifestyle Sports Cycling

Olympic track-cycling is the world where hundredths of seconds separate the worst from the best. Living under the pressure from knowing that one bad movement can decide about the whole race is something you will eventually learn to live with. But having such mindset forces you to seek perfection, and to constantly try to improve one tiny step by step. That‘s why the Czech Olympic cyclist Pavel Kelemen tried the same technology that is usually reserved only for development of new top secret car models. This is a story of how you make an aerodynamic analysis of a cyclist.

Before the math could even start all the photos had to be converted to a basic 3D model and then to a much more complicated and tweaked one. From this point the guys from aerodynamics department took over and started to work the magic. The time for which they were torturing the computers and trying several possible postures seemed to be endless because everyone was so excited and curious about the results. When they finally called back it was decided to present Pavel with everything in person. So, the whole team was off to Vienna. Why Vienna you ask? Because there is no proper track in the Czech Republic, so Pavel and his team mates have to train in Austria...

It was great to spend a day with coach Petr Klimeš on Ferry-Dusika-Hallenstadion in Vienna. It had everything – spirit, passion and enthusiasm, and that feeling of respect you have when you meet someone who had truly accomplished something significant. But what about the results, right? The CFD simulation showed that there is a possibility of improvement on many levels, including Pavel’s helmet, and the posture of shins, hips, arms, and calves. The bike seemed to be set perfectly but there were some tips for Pavel on how to treat his wheels for lower aerodynamic drag that came out of the experiment.

For Petr Klimeš it was the first opportunity to actually see how the air flow looks and behaves. Although in theory, he seemed to know everything about it. It was great to see him constantly discussing all the possibilities over and over, with a gleam in his eye while ticking between the computer screen and the experts.

Now you have to know that this is not a one-off thing. It’s just not enough to tell someone how to control air flow separation and then never talk to him again. There is much more work to be done, many variables to be taken into account, and a new friendship to be maintained. And hopefully, all this will help one young man to stand on the Olympic podium.