A team of professional cyclists competing this month in a world championship in Doha may have a scientific advantage. Many of them will be wearing aerodynamic skinsuits that combine 3D printing and wind tunnel technology. The suit was originally created for Dutch cyclist Tom Dumoulin who first wore it while competing at this year’s Tour De France.
Developing the suit was a complex process. A team from the Delft University of Technology first scanned Dumoulin’s body using 150 DSLR cameras. They then 3D-printed a replica of Dumoulin based on the scan and fitted it with a series of biking suits made of different fabrics. The mannequin was then put on a bike and placed in a wind tunnel to undergo a series of tests to determine which fabric performed best. The research team believe similar tests could be conducted to improve the suits worn by speedskaters and swimmers.
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