Press Clippings

Ulmer's Bike Heading to Athens

Christchurch Press, Monday, 19 July 2004
Sarah Ulmer's Olympic bike is on its way to Europe.

Ulmer recently claimed the world title and broke the world record in the 3km individual pursuit on a new design by Milton Bloomfield of Christchurch company Dynamic Composites and New Zealand bike manufacturer Avanti.

The designers have completed further refinements to the record- breaking Zen bike and are convinced the Olympic version can deliver even faster times.

"We wanted a bike that was an improvement over the existing in every area of design, material utilisation and production," Avanti marketing manager Tony Smith said.

The Avanti Zen bike weighs 30 per cent less and is significantly stiffer than Ulmer's old Australian BT bike, resulting in substantial structural improvements for Ulmer.

"The second bike is a further improvement on the first," Smith said.

"We worked with (coach) Brendon (Cameron) to complete a detailed analysis after the world championships in May. There are no major changes in set-up but we've included several new design changes in the Olympic bike.

"With feedback from Sarah and Brendon we have also made some aerodynamic changes. We are confident it will provide Sarah with the best possible opportunity to produce her best performance."

The new Avanti bike is called Zeus, the name of the model of Ulmer's first racing bike that belonged to her late grandfather Ron Ulmer, a former national record holder in the kilo time trial.



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