Lotus to develop new track bike for Team GB riders for 2024 Paris Olympics

Lotus announced that it will develop a new track bike for Team Great Britain (GB) riders for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

The British automotive brand also revealed that Lotus Engineering, the company’s consultancy division, is handling the development of the new track bike.

Lotus has not mentioned anything about the possible specifications of the new track bike. However, it is possible that it will be similar to, or even be better than, the track bike it co-developed for the British cycling team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

No stranger to building bikes, Lotus has previously built the Lotus Type 108, a revolutionary concept that showcased a ground-breaking monocoque design, advanced carbon composite construction, and, with its aerofoil cross-section, a pioneering approach to aerodynamics.

In fact, the Type 108 helped British rider Chris Boardman rewrite the track cycling history books and win gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Its success sparked the genesis of the Lotus Type 110, a time trial bike that featured similar innovations. And with the Lotus Type 110, Boardman won the Prologue time trial in the 1994 Tour de France.

Lotus looks to use today’s advancements in technology (like lighter, durable materials and optimized aerodynamics) and its upgraded factory in Hethel to build a winning track bike for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“Back then, it was simply about developing an aerodynamic bike that would go fast. But really there are two separate elements — the bike and the rider — which come together as one to move through the air. That was the approach we took with the Tokyo bike and is continuing for Paris 2024,” said Lotus Chief Aerodynamicist Richard Hill.

Photos from Lotus

Also read: 

Lotus shares details of all-new Emira V6 First Edition

Lotus to only produce electric vehicles from 2023

Lotus opens registration books for NFT collection