Endura launches new aero tri race kit in cooperation with Drag2Zero

We've seen the likes of Joe Skipper, Luke McKenzie and Nils Frommhold set some of the fastest bike times in the history of iron-distance racing wearing it during 2015, and now it is available for you to buy, as Endura (www.endurasport.com) officially release to the public their Endura QDC (Quick Dry Cool) Drag2Zero triathlon range.

QDC = 'Quick Dry Cool' and Endura founder, Jim McFarlane says "The aim was to create the fastest tri suit in the world without compromising comfort in any of the disciplines, and I think we have done that..."

It's All About the Bike Split

Endura launches new aero tri race kit in cooperation with Drag2Zero

The new Endura QDC (Quick Dry Cool) Drag2Zero triathlon range boasts market leading aero concepts, cutting edge fabrics and exclusive pad technologies to live up to its ambitious label. With a focus on providing significant watt savings on the bike split the QDC development program has been undertaken in partnership with Simon Smart of Smart Aero Technology, widely acknowledged as the leading aerodynamicist in cycle sport, and a selection of the world's top long distance triathletes. Major drag reductions have been achieved through painstaking F1 wind tunnel sessions testing over 70 exclusively developed prototypes using countless fabrics, fine tuning garments to deliver maximum aero advantage at the speeds experienced in competitive triathlon. With an athlete's body accounting for approximately 85% of the aerodynamic drag while riding it's a simple equation: a faster suit means a faster bike split and that helps bring the win into reach.

Jim McFarlane, founder of Endura, explains: "The aim was to create the fastest tri suit in the world without compromising comfort in any of the disciplines, and I think we have done that. The numbers out of the wind tunnel are better than we could have ever hoped when we started out on this journey and feedback from our athletes in racing has been overwhelmingly positive. All of the individual components of the suits and numerous different seam constructions have been tested in the wind tunnel in order to optimise aerodynamics at real world speeds. We have focussed on sleeved suits and a sleeved aero jersey as the sleeves we use allow for big aerodynamic improvements, as was demonstrated consistently in testing."

QDC has been tested and developed with a group of the world's top long distance triathletes including Luke McKenzie who holds the record for the fastest Ironman time on Australian soil, 2015 Challenge Roth winner Nils Frommhold, and multiple Ironman Champions Tim Don, Iván Raña, Rachel Joyce and Beth Gerdes.

Related Article: Luke McKenze - 'career day' in numbers

Having raced and trained in Endura tri prototypes for more than a year, Luke McKenzie says: "The Endura QDC suit is definitely the most advanced suit I have ever worn. The attention to detail for fit, comfort, cooling and aerodynamics makes it a winner for me. It's refreshing working with Endura as a professional, it's definitely a company that leaves no stone unturned. They're working on fit for triathlon, not for cycling and I think that is crucial because we want to be fast and comfortable."

"It's fast and really comfortable for when you go full gas, you don't need time to make sure everything is in its place, the fit is perfect" states Iván Raña, Ironman 70.3 and Ironman champion.

Rachel Joyce (Runner Up 2015 Ironman World Champion) sums it up: "I'm super excited, a lot of research has gone into making sure that this is really fast. It all helps when you are out there knowing you have got that little edge on your competitors."

The Endura QDC Drag2Zero suit helped Nils Frommhold become 2015 Challenge Roth winner without pressing harder on his pedals. After trailing Timo Bracht in 2014 by 4m:39s, Nils reversed the order in 2015 to win by a margin of 5m:03s. Nils improved on his 2014 bike split by 5 mins 46 sec whilst Timo Bracht lost 43 seconds. No other Top 25 finisher came within 10 mins of Nils's bike split, yet his normalised power output was within 2 watts of his 2014 performance equating to a drag reduction of around 19 watts. With approximately 85% of drag accounted for by the body rather there's an obvious conclusion: The Endura QDC Drag2Zero race suit is as fast in racing as the wind tunnel tests predicted.

Nils Frommhold en route to a 4:09:30 split (and race win) at Challenge Roth

Nils Frommhold comments on the suit: "It's not just my secret weapon now; you have the possibility to buy it."

Related Article: The fastest bikers in Ironman

Endura QDC Drag2Zero Triathlon range

The Endura QDC Drag2Zero Triathlon range comprises of the following pro level items: a standard aero race suit, a lightweight aero race suit using fabrics up to 40% lighter than the standard suit, a sleeveless aero race suit, an aero bike jersey, a sleeveless tri vest, a lightweight tri short, and calf guards. All of these are available in men's and women's versions including gender-specific pads.

Technologies used for QDC Drag2Zero Tri Race Kit

The following technologies feature throughout the QDC Drag2Zero range;

Wind tunnel tested surface texturing minimises drag significantly. Slick bonded neckline and raw edge hem finishes eliminate chafing. Neat 3D printed silicone grippers keep the hems in place without irritating the skin. High wicking main body fabric with coldblack® technology, UPF 50+ protection and mesh side panels manage body temperature efficiently while drying super fast.

All suits and tops boast a bonded rear pocket for race essentials, while the suits and the tri shorts also have a gel wrapper stuff pocket on the back thigh to discourage littering. The suits and the tri shorts are also equipped with a quick dry, water repellent Continuously Variable Profile (CVP) Tri pad with water expelling DisperseFoam™ technology. Additionally, the QDC Tri Vest and the QDC Drag2Zero Tri Shorts both feature 3D printed silicone interface grippers to bind with each other.

See the full QDC Drag2Zero triathlon range here: www.endurasport.com/products/browse/?setFilter=1&FilterStr=|RANGE_22|