Imagine a group of professional cyclists pulling a plane into the sky—sounds like a scene from a sci-fi movie, right? But that’s exactly what Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe just pulled off in a jaw-dropping training camp stunt. While most teams use this time to quietly gear up for the season, this WorldTour squad decided to redefine what’s possible in cycling—literally. Led by Tour de France podium finisher Florian Lipowitz, nine riders harnessed their collective power to tow a piloted glider into flight in Son Bonet, Mallorca. And this is the part most people miss: they didn’t just do it for show—they averaged a staggering 650 watts for 90 seconds to make it happen.
Here’s how it worked: the team sprinted down a 1,500-meter runway, reaching speeds of 54 kph while tethered to the glider with a specially designed harness. Pilot Andy Hediger, who was at the controls, described the experience as ‘a special feeling,’ blending his passion for aviation with the raw power of cycling. But here’s where it gets controversial: Dan Bigham, the team’s head of engineering, called the project ‘game-changing for the sport.’ Bold claim, right? He argues that it allowed him to push the boundaries of aerodynamics and engineering in ways traditional cycling never could.
Lipowitz admitted he was skeptical at first. ‘Launching a plane? It seemed impossible,’ he said. ‘Nothing like this has ever been done in road cycling.’ Yet, they not only achieved it but exceeded expectations. Bigham explained, ‘We knew it would take around 500 watts per rider, but we pushed for more. Every extra watt meant more altitude for the plane. Seeing Andy reach 100 meters was incredible.’
This stunt raises a thought-provoking question: Is this the future of cycling innovation, or just a one-off spectacle? Let’s discuss—do you think this kind of crossover between sports and engineering could revolutionize how we approach cycling, or is it more about grabbing headlines? Share your thoughts below!
