Aquila RC scores instant success with Kevin Vauquelin

The debut of the Aquila RC in world cycling couldn’t have been more impressive. In its first race appearance, Bianchi’s new time trial model claimed victory, thanks to Kevin Vauquelin.

On Sunday, February 9, the Team Arkéa-B&B Hotels rider won the final time trial of the Étoile de Bessèges, a short French stage race. Vauquelin covered the 10.64 km course from Alès to L’Hermitage in 15:07, finishing 18 seconds ahead of time trial specialist, Rémi Cavagna.

This success in the final stage followed his victory the previous day at Le Mont Bouquet, where Vauquelin, riding the Specialissima RC, distanced himself from his competitors. Thanks to these two consecutive wins, the Frenchman claimed the overall classification at the Étoile de Bessèges with a time gap of 1’22” over Dylan Teuns.

For the Aquila RC, this is a debut worth celebrating, since it has verified valuable data that was obtained by Bianchi Reparto Corse during its development. Compared to the old model, the Aquila RC delivers a 16.1-watt saving at 50 km/h and over a 40.7-km course at an average speed between 50.4 km/h and 51.1 km/h, Bianchi’s new time trial bike saves riders 37 seconds.