By Lars Hundley
Bianchi’s groundbreaking Oltre RC aero road bike has been awarded two of the design world’s most esteemed accolades – the 2023 iF Design Award and the 2023 Red Dot Design Award. This double recognition underscores Bianchi’s innovative approach to design and their capacity to transcend industry limitations.
The Oltre RC’s pioneering Air Deflector technology played a pivotal role in securing these awards, marking a significant achievement in the integration of aesthetics and functionality in bicycle design.
The iF Design Award, established in 1953, is a globally recognized design honor. The Oltre RC emerged victorious in the Product Design category’s bicycle subcategory. This decision was made by the iF International Forum Design GmbH, the world’s oldest independent design organization. The award was based on the judgment of 133 expert and independent members from across the globe, who evaluated over 11,000 entries from 56 countries.
In addition to the iF Design Award, the Oltre RC’s innovative approach was also celebrated with the Red Dot Design Award in the “Product Design” category. This award is one of the world’s largest design competitions, originating in 1955, and receives about 20,000 entries each year. The 2023 edition saw nominations spanning 60 countries across 51 product categories.
Fabrizio Scalzotto, CEO of Bianchi, said, “We started from scratch with the Oltre RC and redesigned the concept of the aero bicycle while reconciling form and function in a product that’s already enamouring thousands of cyclists on roads around the world.”
Apart from these two prestigious awards, the Oltre RC has also secured the Cycling World Europe Award in Düsseldorf earlier in 2023. It serves as the official bicycle of the Tour de France and the Arkea Samsic World Tour Team, currently competing in the Giro d’Italia.
The Oltre RC continues to redefine the concept of what Bianchi calls a “hyperbike,” garnering acclaim from design experts and cycling enthusiasts alike, and these recent awards further highlight its status in the world of cycling and design.