June 03, 2012 – Sydney, Australia (Techreleased) –Lexus is providing inspiration for a high-end European bicycle manufacturer’s new range of cutting-edge racing bikes.
Eddy Merckx Cycles has spent time in Lexus parent company Toyota Motor Corporation’s state-of-the-art F1 ‘moving floor’ wind tunnel in Cologne, Germany, to develop new bicycles with innovative materials and advanced aerodynamics.
The Belgium-based company was established in 1980 by Eddy Merckx – considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time, with five Tour de France victories among his many career achievements.
The Eddy Merckx ETT, a prototype time trial bike, was recently put through its paces in the wind tunnel under the guidance of Lexus and Eddy Merckx engineers.
The company examined Lexus’ groundbreaking LFA V10 supercar during development of the ETT, which is designed for time trial races where cyclists require aerodynamically efficient equipment to cut through the wind for a fast time.
The LFA has a predominantly flat underbody and active rear wing for superior aerodynamic performance, and a chassis and bodywork fashioned largely from highly advanced Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).
Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb said news of Eddy Merckx taking inspiration from its vehicles and technology was an exciting and progressive development for the Japanese luxury marque.
“We are proud that the technology used to develop Lexus’ range of luxury vehicles and groundbreaking LFA Supercar can advance the design of something as pure as a racing bicycle,” said Mr Cramb.
The ETT will be used in racing conditions over the next few months as teams partnered with Eddy Merckx Cycles, including Topsport Vlaanderen/Mercator and Wallonie-Bruxelles/Crédit Agricole, compete with it in professional tour races.
