BIANCHI unveils the new AQUILA RC time trial model
In an increasingly competitive road cycling landscape, every second counts. This is true for any challenge, but even more so in time trials, where one can only rely on oneself and the effectiveness of their equipment.
To achieve the goal to be the world’s fastest time trial bike, the Bianchi Reparto Corse sought a perfect balance by reconfirming their design philosophy: to treat the rider’s movement and the bicycle’s dynamics as a unified system. This holistic approach — previously used to create the revolutionary Oltre RC Hyperbike — found its ultimate expression in the Aquila RC project, specifically designed for time trials.
The aquila has always been part of Bianchi’s emblem because it symbolizes power, speed, and elegance. The new Aquila RC carries this legacy forward by pushing the boundaries of time trial performance.
PROJECT KEYWORD: OPTIMIZATION
Drawing on decades of expertise and 20 months of dedicated development, Bianchi collaborated with world-class time trial specialists and with Arkea-B&B Hotels WorldTour team’s Kévin Vauquelin, Tour de France stage winner and 2024 Paris Olympics participant.
The Aquila RC is the result of an iterative design process: a continuous cycle of CAD analysis, advanced simulations, prototypes, wind tunnel and road testing, and experimenting with various airfoil profiles — all for the single objective to create the fastest complete system.
After an in-depth data analysis, the Bianchi Reparto Corse opted for a seat tube angle of 77.5° — to match WorldTour time trial specialists’ preferences — combined with increased reach. The effect is a faster, more aggressive riding position.
The tube sections were designed to leverage a sailing effect by transforming side forces into forward thrust for both bike and cyclist.
TESTING AND RESULTS
In time trial frame design, the variables that can be adjusted are extremely limited due to UCI regulations and the laws of physics. Therefore, the Bianchi Reparto Corse focused on optimizing the Aquila’s most impactful components: the handlebar, seatpost, and bottom bracket. By fine-tuning shape and position, Bianchi engineers minimized pressure drag in strategic areas of the frame.
Frame testing went beyond wind tunnel experiments. Countless riding hours were invested in order to understand how human movement interacts with bicycle aerodynamics. Developing an innovative tool that’s able to replicate movement with artificial legs allowed further optimization of the bike-athlete interaction.
The Aquila RC was tested in various configurations: the bike alone, the bike with static legs, with legs in motion, and by using different fork types.
The result is a savings of 16.1 watts at 50 km/h compared to the previous version. On a 40.7 km course, at an average speed between 50.4 km/h and 51.1 km/h, the Aquila RC went a whopping 37 seconds faster compared to the previous model. This time difference can change a race’s outcome.
The Aquila RC consistently outperformed the previous generation and the best industry competitor in yaw angles from -20° to 20°.
AGGRESSIVE AND ADJUSTABLE COCKPIT
The new Aquila RC’s cockpit is the result of a collaboration with Vision FSA, a world leader in racing component design. The result is a high-performance cockpit with an impressive range, easy adjustability, and aerodynamic integration.
AVAILABILITY AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The Aquila RC is offered exclusively as a frameset, weighing in at 1.3 kg for the frame (M size) and 400 g for the fork. The frame kit is available in sizes S, M, and L, and can accommodate tires up to 28 mm.
The colouring of the new Aquila RC is Glossy Black and Metallic Celeste with logos and graphic inserts in Celeste CK16.
The Aquila RC will make its racing debut with Arkéa-B&B Hotels team athletes on Sunday, February 9, 2025, during the individual time trial from Alès to l’Hermitage, the final stage of the Étoile de Bessèges in France.
