The UCI approves Wahoo's wind sensor. What does this mean and which teams will benefit?

At the end of last year, Wahoo launched its new top-of-the-line cycling computer, the Elemnt Ace, with a generous 3.8'' screen and the incorporation of a new feature in these devices. A wind sensor capable of determining the direction of the wind or when a cyclist is drafting behind another, providing interesting metrics that professional cyclists can benefit from after UCI approval for use in competition.

Wind data is added to the metrics of teams using Wahoo cycling computers

Many times we have talked about marginal gains and how professional teams analyze every minimal piece of data to improve. The latest parameter to be added to all this flow of information processed by team technicians is the wind information provided by the new Wahoo Elemnt Ace, the new top-of-the-line cycling computer from the brand used by teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, EF Education-EasyPost, and Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale, and which they will be able to use in competition after UCI authorization.

RECOMENDADO

Easy ways to gain aerodynamics for free

What is perceived effort and how to use it in training

How to make the most of short outings

Mistakes you make when adjusting your bike

How much time would a professional cyclist take out on an amateur in a race?

Why short cranks are trending?

Despite being a large and quite heavy cycling computer, with a focus more towards cycling tourism thanks to its complete navigation functions and detailed maps that can be viewed on its huge screen, the addition of a wind sensor and the associated metrics provide team technicians with very interesting data.

Beyond the information about whether the cyclist is being affected by favorable or headwinds, the most interesting aspect is that the Wahoo Elemnt Ace is able to discern if the cyclist is benefiting from drafting, allowing technicians to identify who is able to save the most energy by doing so during a stage and with whom they can work on this aspect more.

Additionally, as recognized by the performance manager of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, it also allows the cyclist to optimize their position on the bike, which obviously also provides an additional advantage.