Peter, you are the developer of the new SRM PowerControl 7, which is on the market since last week. Can you tell us something about the process of development - from planning to first prototypes and to the production of the first series for the market?

Cycling enthusiasts, especially triathletes, have often asked for a PowerControl which would fit between the aerobars. This was the motivation for developing the PC7, because the PCVI - like the PCV - being 80 mm wide, is too wide to fit.
The minor size was challenging because of the energy supply. The nickel metal hydride technology had reached it's limits in the PCV and PCVI so we wanted to improve it.
To guarantee the simplicity of the production process, it is a top priority to cooperate and work hand in hand developing the housing and the electronics. So I worked very closely with Christoph Adels, who is responsible for the 3D-modelling. If there were changes to the housing because of design or functionality I adapted the electronics.

Your SRM training and competition files can be analyzed, and individualized power and heart rate zones will be calculated automatically. You can share your data with your friends, training partners and coaches online.

What was the idea you suggested to SRM in 2005?

One of my employees had a good connection to the America's Cup Team Alinghi in Valencia and made an appointment for me. There I met Otmar Keller, the team coach and Jochen Schümann, the sports director at that time and Germany's most successful sailor. The idea was to develop a training and testing tool for the "grinder" on the boat. At once my idea was about the technical possibilities of the SRM system, which allows exact monitoring in training and diagnostics.

On Saturday the Vuelta Espana was launched with the prologue in Assen, Netherlands. Participating from the beginning: the new PC7.