PROJECT FUERZA’S PRO RIDER/NFT MASH-UP

Truth be told, over here at RBA we’re really just a bunch bike dorks who don’t pretend to have any expertise when it comes to the world of high-art, crypto currency or the latest craze of Nonfungible Tokens. However, apparently renowned trainer & power specialist Hunter Allen does and he’s combined his knowledge of them all in a new effort called Project Fuerza. It’s all a tad complex, but also a truly creative and collaborative effort for a new age.

WHAT ABOUT PROJECT FUERZA?

The “Shut-Up Legs” digital art inspired by Jens Voigt’s power data on stage 9 of the 2006 Tour de France.

Press Release

Long considered a guru in cycling circles, specifically for his pioneering work in training with power, Hunter Allen is now launching Project FUERZA: The new NFT collection takes biometric data graphs from athletes at specific races, along with other inspirational materials, and employs world-renowned artists to create unique, authentic NFT artworks that tell a visual-numeric story of that particular race. Cyclists like Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish, Geraint Thomas, Jens Voigt and many other top pros have already signed on, with many more in the works.

A former professional cyclist, Allen co-developed TrainingPeaks WKO software and led its desktop software team until 2015. He founded Peaks Coaching Group in 1996 and still owns it: Now with 35-plus coaches and 5 international affiliates, they work with cyclists and triathletes of all levels, conducting cycling camps and vacations, and offering 300 pre-built training plans, all based on power. Now, through Project FUERZA, he’s figured out a way to use all that science to create cycling-themed art.

Somewhere within each of the NFTs are numeric and/or graphic representations of the riders’ actual ‘fuerza’ – Spanish for power – output and other metrics recorded during the effort. Along with the NFT itself, all original NFTs will come with a license to view/use the actual data file (discounted additional copies may not), so buyers can deep dive into the numbers behind thrilling moments such as Cav’s victories on the Champs-Elysees or one of Voigt’s legendary breakaway wins, and compare to their own data, etc.

Another piece pf Mark Cavendish’s power based NFT art.

“I am happy and proud to be part of this project. Project FUERZA’s NFTs combine in a unique way the power data from cyclists like me with the artistic imaginations of some incredible artists,” says Voigt. “We’ve transformed a ton of my crazy power data into NFT art, collected from races like the Tour de France, Tour of California and even my last race ever, my Hour-Record attempt. The outcome is pretty spectacular and quite unique.”

Over 1000 FUERZA NFTs are already available for sale on the website, and more are coming in every week from an ever-growing list of artists and athletes across multiple cycling disciplines. The cost for each work is derived from the athlete, race, artist, etc, but they’re available across a huge spectrum of values from $100 to millions to attract every level of buyer from casual enthusiast to major collector.

Plus, for buyers who’d like an even more personal interaction with their athlete of choice, the higher-end NFTs will come with bonuses ranging from personal video calls to in-person rides with the athletes. For instance, an NFT selling for over $300,000 will come with the option to ride with the athlete on the actual route where the biometric data was created for their NFT (along with other bonuses; conditions apply). Alpe d’Huez with Geraint Thomas anyone?

Here’s the dynamic print from Rohan Denis.

FUERZA NFTs will be available for purchase on the OpenSea NFT marketplace, using your credit/debit card or Ethereum cryptocurrency. Founders are confident their NFTs should also prove excellent investments as their values grow along with cryptocurrency in general.

The idea for these NFTs came from Allen’s own artistic ideas for power data over his 20-plus years analyzing power data: “More than a few times, I have seen the data as art,” he says. “Finally, with blockchain technology, and our world class artists, we have been able to create these inspirational works of art. Hopefully buyers will enjoy their rider’s art on an LCD screen in their home, on a computer or phone screen, and gain motivation from the incredible physical power of the athletes and creative power of our artists.”

And for those curious to see their own data numbers as art, the next phase of development will allow consumers to use their own biometric data and inspirations to work with FUERZA artists to create their own FUERZA NFTs. They’re aiming for early 2023 to launch that service. Watch the website for updates on this and other related news.

For more: Project Fuerza