Nine pro cyclists from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe made history by towing a piloted glider into the sky using only their legs, producing a staggering 6,500 watts in a record-breaking stunt in Mallorca.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe athletes generate a staggering 6,500 watts in a record-breaking stunt...
Red Bull, it seems, truly gives you wings though in this case, the wings came from nine of the world’s top cyclists from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe rather than an energy drink.
In a one-of-a-kind feat, the WorldTour squad successfully launched a piloted glider into the air, powered solely by human legs.
The stunt, revealed today but planned over more than a year, took place during a team-building exercise in Mallorca, Spain.
Nine riders sprinted in “husky format” down a runway, according to Dan Bigham, the team’s head of engineering.
After two trial runs in Austria, the nine selected riders Adrien Boichis, Nico Denz, Davide Donati, Florian Lipowitz, Jordi Meeus, Laurence Pithie, Gijs Schoonvelde, Callum Thornley, and Tim van Dijke took on the historic challenge in Mallorca.
Each cyclist’s bike was attached to a harness, which connected to the glider via a 150-meter cord, reminiscent of Santa’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer.
Bigham’s calculations factored in lift, drag, wind conditions, and the power the riders could generate.
He determined that a minimum speed of 45-50 kph was required for take-off. “Then it’s just a matter of how much energy we can produce,” he explained. “Around 500-550 watts per rider will get the plane airborne, and any additional power pushes it higher."
During the 90-second sprint, the nine athletes produced a combined peak of 6,500 watts roughly 722 watts each averaging 650 watts per rider.
The glider, piloted by Andy Hediger, climbed to 100 meters.
“This proves that the same science we apply to optimise cycling performance can also be used to achieve something absolutely history-making, like towing a plane into the sky,” said Bigham.
Bigham highlighted the broader impact: “Projects like this don’t just make history they redefine sport. At its core, sport is entertainment, and this is some of the purest, most unique entertainment you’ll ever witness.”
Among the riders was 22-year-old Brit Callum Thornley, who will turn professional with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe in 2026. “It’s a bit mental,” he admitted. “When we first saw the presentation, it seemed impossible, almost too good to be true.”
New Zealander Laurence Pithie, who first heard of the project a year ago, reflected, “It was a super-cool idea. Teamwork makes the dream work, and today we made the dream work."
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