It had long been expected that Bianchi would renew its Aquila RC professional time trial bike. After all, it has been more than ten years since the presentation of the previous model, which was ridden by the World Tour team Arkéa - B&B Hotels. The new Aquila RC also marks the departure of a technology from professional sport that has characterised racing bikes for more than a century: the cable-operated rim brake.
Like all other new developments, the new Aquila RC uses modern hydraulic disc brakes. Due to the long model life of time trial bikes, only a few TT bikes were still using this antiquated technology. Last year, Giant retired its last professional rim brake racer, the Trinity. The classic road models have long since made the switch to disc brakes.
Bianchi Aquila RC: Test setup like TOUR
The new Aquila RC is a completely new development, as you can see from the frame at first glance. Formally, it differs significantly from its predecessor. Naturally, the best aerodynamics were at the top of the specifications. During development, the Italians relied on a combination of CFD simulations and repeated wind tunnel tests to optimise the shape of the bike.
In collaboration with professional cyclist Kévin Vauquelin, the frame was also optimised for the interaction between bike and rider. Judging by the pictures in the press release, the wind tunnel tests also utilised a test setup with a movable leg dummy, as developed by TOUR and also used in our wind tunnel tests.
Bianchi Aquila: First outing, first victory
As a result, the Aquila RC should save over 16 watts of power compared to its predecessor at a speed of 50 kilometres per hour. In a 40-kilometre time trial, this would correspond to a time saving of 37 seconds. Kevin Vauquelin took his first victory with the Aquila RC at the race premiere of the new bike at the Etoile de Bessèges time trial and won the overall classification.
Results Etoile de Bessèges 2025
Stage 5 (ITT): Alès - L'Hermitage
Etoile de Bessèges - Tour du Gard 2025: Stage 5 (ITT), Alès - L'Hermitage
| Rnk. | Riders | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arkéa - B&B Hotels | 00:15:07 |
| 2 | Groupama - FDJ | +000:00:19 |
| 3 | Cofidis | +000:00:22 |
| 4 | Arkéa - B&B Hotels | +000:00:24 |
| 5 | Groupama - FDJ | +000:00:26 |
| 6 | Team Flanders - Baloise | +000:00:29 |
Price of the frame set
For end customers, the Aquila RC is only available as a frame set in three sizes (S, M and L) and costs 5449 euros. It includes the seat post and a handlebar unit from FSA/Vision specially developed for the bike. The manufacturer specifies a frame weight of 1300 grams, while the fork is said to weigh 400 grams.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
