Laurens De Plus new test isokinetic fietsopstelling in Bakala Academy

In the Bakala Academy in Leuven on Tuesday, an isokinetic fietsopstelling for profwielrenners proposed. At this power output test they now have their own bicycle frame that fits. Laurens De Plus of Quick-Step Floors as first new device being tested.

In the Bakala Academy, the research and testing centre for sport at the catholic university of Louvain, made professor of exercise physiology Peter Hespel earlier dynamometer tests in athletes. Two years ago, the Leuven-based company Comate assistance for the design of a market rate unit with new technology. With a grant of 68,000 euros from the province of Flemish-Brabant signed Comate for the engineering and design of the new test rig. It was Tuesday, run by Laurens De Plus.

Isokinetisch refers to the fixed cadence, or the number of revolutions per minute that the riders in the test object. “With this test we get an accurate picture of the ability of the individual rider,” said Hespel. “With our krachttest do the riders six maximum efforts of five seconds. Every effort is done to a different cadence, from 40 to 140 revolutions per minute.” Unique to the new test that the riders have their own bike to use. “That ensures maximum performance and realistic results.”

Comate has two years of working at the mechanics and the software. “One of the big challenges was the choice of the heavy bike that the riders are at a fixed speed to do stairs. Also the stability and safety of the preparation were the crucial factors,” said director Sander Van den Dries.

The Plus demonstrated by the device with its custom-made Specialized. “In the winter, there are apparently a few pounds, added to”, he asked after the intense effort. Hespel tested the 22-year-old derdejaarsprof of Quick-Step Floors in four turns, respectively, 60, 80, 100 and 120 revolutions per minute. The Plus had a power record of 762 to 1.031 watts.

This year, The shuttle Plus for the second time the Tour of Italy. “The Giro is my big goal of 2018.” Also the world championship on the road in the Austrian Innsbruck have seen him are klimmerscapaciteiten excellent. “That is still far away. There is still so much to happen.” Thereby referred The Plus to his fall in the Tour of Lombardy last autumn. “Physically, I’m fully recovered, but in the head playing it sometimes still.”

The Plus currently resides on the first floor of the Bakala Academy, a simulated hoogtestage at 3,000 metres. Soon, he leaves with teammate Bob Jungels on stage to South Africa.