Today top professional road racing meets the power of Swiss innovation for the highly anticipated start of the Tour of Switzerland in Langnau. Martin Kohler, one of the four Swiss talents racing for the Swiss-American professional squad, “BMC OFFICIAL FACTORY R&D+R PRO TEAM” will be the first to race on this newest innovation to come from the Swiss bicycle manufacturer, BMC.
This is a great moment for BMC and the BMC Racing Team: the 72nd Tour of Switzerland represents the most important stage race of the season for the team, while for BMC the event represents the launching of their new high-end reference product to their racing bike range. Twenty-three year old Martin Kohler is excited and ready, “I am extremely pleased to take part in this very important race in front of my home fans while riding the «racemaster SLX01». I feel fit.”
Swiss engineering for International Professional Teams
The fascinating challenge in bicycle development for BMC is to design the lightest frame possible without sacrificing the rigidity, stability and security properties of the frame. The goal is for the rider’s energy to be optimally transferred to the ground. A broadly based exchange of experience with partners from development, distribution and high performance sport – namely the BMC Racing Team – makes possible the development of a newly innovative dream frame like the «racemaster SLX01».
racemaster SLX01 – for professionals and enthusiastic hobby-cyclists alike
The «racemaster SLX01» frame combines carbon and aluminium in an intentional and refined way. The fork, steering tube, top tube and seat stays form a carbon arc to absorb the rough road elements and provide comfortable yet extremely responsive handling. The down tube, seat tube and chain stays are made out of aluminium for uncompromising rigidity. “From the first push of the pedals I felt the rigidity and responsiveness of the racemaster frame. There is an instant reaction to any change in pace and cadence, directly translating my power output. When accelerating out of the corners, I feel my energy will be fully transferred and that I will immediately gain full speed again,” said Kohler directly after his first training rides aboard the new bicycle.
Already a successful start to the new season
Motivated and without pressure to perform at all costs, Kohler and his team mates began the year celebrating the great success of being honoured as the “Most Aggressive Team” at the 2008 Tour of California, the USA’s most prestigious stage race. Additional reasons to celebrate came when the team received Wildcard invitations to the Tour of Romandie and the Tour of Switzerland. These two prominent Swiss ProTour races are of great importance for the personal and sporting development of any rider. Our young motivated athletes with a fresh commitment to racing will without question provide this year’s Tour of Switzerland with several exciting moments.
