Virtual Reality and Telemetry are the daily bread for those who professionally work in the world of motors such as Formula 1, MotoGp and Motocross. And now they will also dominate mountain bike in occasion of 2016 Uci World Championships in Val di Sole.
And this will be possible thanks to two start-ups in Trentino that already work at national and international levels: WrappingReality and Brain.
In the WrappingReality stand, within the Word Champ Village set up in Daolasa-Commezzadura, anyone will be able to experience the thrill of racing down the Black Snake, the champions’ track where on 11 September the Downhill Uci World champions will be crowned. A breathtaking trail – similar to the Streif in alpine skiing downhill – that will crown the new kings of speed in Mtb at the end of the adrenaline-packed descent through the woods. With stones, roots, holes and other obstacles, tackled at a speed reaching up to 70-80 Km/h and a race average speed of over 50Km/h. Pure imagination for simple fat-tyre amateurs whose technical ability does not allow them to undertake such demanding tracks but technology can help them: everyone will be able to feel the thrill of the downhill thanks to a VR headset to be used with your smartphone.
This virtual ride consists of a 360 degrees video of the World Champs track, captured slowly in order to show every detail. A map inside the video shows the position of the camera along the course. The spectator becomes the rider and can feel the same feelings of the Champions. Similar to what happens to F1 pilots: they train at home driving along the course with these VR simulators. “This is what the Start Up from Trentino wants to do – explains Marco Soave, who founded this new activity with other two friends – Among the proposals, there is a 10 seconds promo already available on the official Youtube channel of ValdiSoleBikeland. A taste of what you can try during the World Championships days. It’s the right time to buy yourself a headset so you will be able to experience the Val di Sole downhill at home comfortably sitting in your armchair”.
The second news concerns telemetry proposed by the start-up BRAIN founded by Simone Grillo and Timoteo Ziccardi. It helps monitor performances during the races exactly like MotoGP champions. It all depends on a portable device already used by a Moto2 and Motocross teams. For motorbikes the cost of the devices is around 10-15 thousand euros, while for downhill riders it is 6-7 thousand, used by downhill top teams (over the last days, French world champion Loic Bruni was using it in Daolasa) and prices can fall to some hundred euros for amateurs. It enables riders to measure all data concerning speed, lines, angles in order to improve their performance and compare it with friends. A series of sensors also provides heart beat monitoring and other parameters. This is the future in Mtb.
Alberto Penasa - Azienda Turismo Val di Sole
Viale Marconi, 7 - 3827 - Malè - (TN)
Tel. +39.0463.900863 - Fax +39.0463.901563
www.valdisole.net - penasa.a@valdisole.net
