When I started working at MotoGP Factory Racing Team in 2014, Aerodynamics was a relatively unexplored field. Therefore, an aerodynamic development process was built using state of the art tools like numerical flow simulations, wind tunnel tests and special on-track measurement equipment.
But although using all these state-of-the-art tools, it happens not rarely, that new developments were not showing the expected positive effect on the racetrack. The reasons for this were manifold: changing track conditions, varying rider and tire performance or different environmental conditions.
The bike aero tool was introduced to help engineers and athletes in the development of racebikes. A new approach for the assessment of aerodynamic racebike characteristics from real racetrack measurements was implemented – the so-called AIM approach, where AIM is the abbreviation for Aerodynamic, Inertia and Mass.
A new quantity chi was introduced as representation of the high dynamic of a racebike and rider system on a racetrack, where the rider plays an important role in terms of its riding style. The riding style has a huge impact on the center of gravity position of the overall racebike and rider system as well as on the aerodynamics of the overall racebike and rider system.