gregg
03-28-2005, 01:10 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 March 2005
Nevers, France —It’s one thing to be asked to help the home team. It’s quite another when the other guys come knocking on your door for help. But that’s precisely the situation at LOOK, when the French manufacturer was asked to provide equipment for national team athletes from Germany, Japan, China, Canada and the United States for the 2004 Olympics—a practice that extends to the upcoming 2005 track cycling world championships.
LOOK is no stranger to international competition, having been a French cycling federation partner for 15 years. And if that’s not enough, their recent sweep of all 9 Olympic medals in Athens, not only set a new Olympic record, but more than proves their dominance on the world track scene. But with six national squads contesting the track worlds on LOOK frames, the 496 Athene may be the most sought-after machine on the boards at this year’s world championships.
The 496 Athene is one of the most engineered bikes on the planet, beginning as an evolution of the medal-winning bikes from the Sydney Olympics. Its carefully sculpted shape was designed using computational fluid dynamic modeling with engineers from Alain Prost’s Formula 1 auto racing development team. The result is the most aerodynamically optimized shape allowed within the UCI’s technical rules. Extensive computer modeling was used to fine-tune the carbon layup for structural rigidity, and prototypes were subjected to hours of wind-tunnel testing before the production form was finalized.
The 496 offers unprecedented structural efficiency and superb aerodynamics. With a frame weight of just 1,700 grams it easily builds into a 7.7 kg speedster, with the versatility to be competitive in high-intensity match sprints as well as pursuits. With its down tube that closely follows the front wheel’s contour, and the rear wheel tucked tightly against the aero-shape seat tube, the 496 has one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the planet. And that’s a good thing, since it will be seen on the banking painted up in six sets of national colors.
Of course, being French, LOOK would prefer to see the gold medal going to France. But while it’s an honor to be part of the French team effort, LOOK is prouder still of the fact that the 496’s performance crosses national boundaries. That’s the highest compliment of all.
LOOK Carbon Fiber Frames & Pedals are distributed in North America by Veltec Sports, Inc., the premier distributor of high-end cycling equipment to the specialty retailer and exclusive distributor of Sidi, Easton, Vredestein, CicloSport, Enervit & BRIKO. For more information, please contact Melissa Popovich, Marketing Manager at (831) 394.7114 x104 or at melissa@veltecsports.com
####
23 March 2005
Nevers, France —It’s one thing to be asked to help the home team. It’s quite another when the other guys come knocking on your door for help. But that’s precisely the situation at LOOK, when the French manufacturer was asked to provide equipment for national team athletes from Germany, Japan, China, Canada and the United States for the 2004 Olympics—a practice that extends to the upcoming 2005 track cycling world championships.
LOOK is no stranger to international competition, having been a French cycling federation partner for 15 years. And if that’s not enough, their recent sweep of all 9 Olympic medals in Athens, not only set a new Olympic record, but more than proves their dominance on the world track scene. But with six national squads contesting the track worlds on LOOK frames, the 496 Athene may be the most sought-after machine on the boards at this year’s world championships.
The 496 Athene is one of the most engineered bikes on the planet, beginning as an evolution of the medal-winning bikes from the Sydney Olympics. Its carefully sculpted shape was designed using computational fluid dynamic modeling with engineers from Alain Prost’s Formula 1 auto racing development team. The result is the most aerodynamically optimized shape allowed within the UCI’s technical rules. Extensive computer modeling was used to fine-tune the carbon layup for structural rigidity, and prototypes were subjected to hours of wind-tunnel testing before the production form was finalized.
The 496 offers unprecedented structural efficiency and superb aerodynamics. With a frame weight of just 1,700 grams it easily builds into a 7.7 kg speedster, with the versatility to be competitive in high-intensity match sprints as well as pursuits. With its down tube that closely follows the front wheel’s contour, and the rear wheel tucked tightly against the aero-shape seat tube, the 496 has one of the most distinctive silhouettes on the planet. And that’s a good thing, since it will be seen on the banking painted up in six sets of national colors.
Of course, being French, LOOK would prefer to see the gold medal going to France. But while it’s an honor to be part of the French team effort, LOOK is prouder still of the fact that the 496’s performance crosses national boundaries. That’s the highest compliment of all.
LOOK Carbon Fiber Frames & Pedals are distributed in North America by Veltec Sports, Inc., the premier distributor of high-end cycling equipment to the specialty retailer and exclusive distributor of Sidi, Easton, Vredestein, CicloSport, Enervit & BRIKO. For more information, please contact Melissa Popovich, Marketing Manager at (831) 394.7114 x104 or at melissa@veltecsports.com
####