Posted: June 3, 2005

Triathlon: Searching for Speed, DeBoom Hits the Tunnel

Boulder, Colorado - Tri-Dubai's Tim DeBoom knows that if he wants to win his sport's biggest event he has to pull out all the stops. Taking a page from six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong's playbook, DeBoom spent Thursday, May 26th in the world famous Allied Aerospace wind tunnel with a group of industry experts, trying to squeeze every aerodynamic advantage out of man and machine. The afternoon of aerodynamic testing was part of DeBoom's ongoing pursuit of a third Ironman World Championship.

A team of aerodynamic experts, headed by Armstrong's Discovery Channel team liaison Scott Daubert, worked with DeBoom on creating a better body position on his Trek time trial bike, while thinking of new ways to make the bike itself a wind cheating machine. Daubert has headed up Armstrong's F1 team - a project dedicated to creating optimal on-bike performance for the Tour de France legend - for the past two years. Helmet guru Toshi Corbett, of Bell Sports, triathlon bike engineer Mark Andrews, of Trek Bicycle, and aero component maverick Steve Hed observed and measured DeBoom as he pedaled in the wind-swept San Diego testing facility. DeBoom hopes that the resulting data will give him an edge on Kona's often wind buffeted roads.

"It was an honor to have Trek invite me to the wind tunnel in San Diego," said DeBoom. "Many of the same team that have helped Lance Armstrong win the Tour de France six times were there to help me with my aero position and equipment. Along with Mark Andrews and the Trek gang, my buddy Toshi from Bell Helmets was there to let me test some new aero lids, and Steve Hed came down to dial in the wheels and position details.

"Hopefully, it will all help me get back to the top of the podium in Kona. The information I gained will be invaluable come October. Not only does it level the playing field with the other athletes that have been in the tunnel, but with this team, I should have a clear advantage."

Tri-Dubai is a professional triathlon super-team made up of elite triathletes from all over the world. Sponsored by the city of Dubai, UAE, under the patronage of Dubai Crown Prince, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the team focuses on generating international attention for Dubai as a world-class tourist and business destination, and sharing success by partnering with local charities at designated competitions. Tri-Dubai is managed by The Human Interest Group, Inc.

The TriDubai website is at: www.tridubai.com

Tim Deboom - Photo: Jay Prasuhn/Triathlete Magazine