The Inside Line: How to corner with Robbie McEwen

Take a masterclass lesson from the best in the business. Robbie McEwen shows us how to corner as fast and efficiently as possible.

And yes…we do know that “braking” is spelled incorrectly in the video.

Pete

That was a little bit disappointing. I’m not convinced that staying low increases cornering speed (apart from the normal improvement to aerodynamics). I also found it quite superficial and would have liked more insight. For example, in F1 it’s better to not make the apex at a symmetrically central position, but earlier. This means that you take the corner more slowly, but increase exit speed. I can imagine this might transfer to cycling too?
- Lionel
  
  Too bad the graphics guy missed the key point of the entry into the corner at 1:51 and drew the line too far to the inside during the setup.
- Buckles
  
  I believe motor racists corner differently due to being able to maintain some power throughout the corner. Whereas we cyclists have zero power due to having to coast to avoid pedal strike.
  - ChequeredFlag
    
    I’ve spent a bit of time behind the wheel of race cars and plenty of time behind the handle bars of a pushy, too. Race drivers will adjust their line based on a variety of things, but mainly focus on getting the exit right so as to set them self up for the next part of the track - whether that be another corner or a long straight. So Pete is kind of on the money when he says drivers will sacrifice entry speed for exit speed - “Slow in, fast out” is the mantra.
    
    However, a bike is not an F1 car (especially when I’m pedaling…), so you’d almost compare it to a go kart or smaller race car that is generally underpowered. In these cars, keeping your corner speed up is paramount to being fast, and I view the cornering of a bike the same. Tip the bike in as you come off the brakes, spot your apex, turn through nice and smooth and carry as much speed through the corner as possible rather than the whole “stand on the brakes, turn in, pedal out” process.
    
    I’m not particularly accomplished at either activity, but there are definitely some parallels that can be drawn between the two.
    - GT
      
      There is some parallel between corner technique in motor sports and cycling when approaching the corner - the entry is dictated by mechanical braking capability and available grip in both cases. Maybe something around the mechanically-derived turn-in physics as well. But on exit it’s completely different. Pedalling power is not going to overcome grip. But in motor sport, the exit is determined by how much power can be put to the road, and usually power>grip. In the case of F1, by a LOT …So drivers want to straighten the exit as much as possible. Cyclists want to maintain as smooth a curve as possible to conserve speed.