Personalized drag analysis of elite time trial cyclists using high resolution scanning and CFD simulations

Within elite time trial cycling, the difference between winning and losing can be marginal. Aerodynamic studies within cycling traditionally involve using either a person or a mannequin, often only a single subject. Given the diversity in cyclists' body types—each having unique height, width, muscle mass, and physiological capabilities—it is crucial to investigate how different body types influence the results obtained from CFD simulations. In this research, four elite cyclists are 3D scanned using a high-precision 3D scanner to obtain detailed digital models. The digital models are utilized to perform CFD simulations, evaluating their drag areas across different turbulence models: URANS k-ω SST, URANS k-ω SST with transition modeling, and DES. Preliminary results show that different cyclists have varying sensitivities to the inclusion of transition in the k-ω SST model, suggesting that different body types significantly influence aerodynamic performance predictions.