The entrepreneurial journey of two cycling fans who developed new composite bike wheels with the help of Flinders University’s New Venture Institute, has led to an encounter with their hero, Australian cycling legend Cadel Evans.

Ben Tripodi and Brodie Syrus, from Finch Composites, met Mr Evans at the launch of Siemens’ new $5 million maintenance and repair facility for oil and gas industry equipment and turbines at Tonsley this week.

The pair even took the opportunity to pitch their work to the Australian cycling great.

Mr Tripodi and Mr Syrus have been working with Professor David Lewis and Professor Mark Taylor, from Flinders University’s Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology, to develop new, high performance wheels which are more aerodynamic and resistant to delamination under heavy and prolonged braking.

“It was fantastic to have the opportunity to get in front of Cadel and explain our new technology being developed at Tonsley with the New Venture Institute,” said Mr Tripodi.

“He seemed to be very interested in new Australian cycling projects and he will be sure to check out our progress.”

“We’re hoping to develop a relationship with fellow and current professional Australian cyclists and triathletes like Cadel to work with in the development of our products,” added Mr Syrus.”

Mr Tripodi and Mr Syrus are both graduates of the New Venture Institute’s Venture Dorm program run from Flinders University’s new $120m Tonsley facility, which is next door to the Siemens building.