Created: 2026.04.28. 08:43
In motorsport, an increasingly widespread innovation is the ERGO ergonomic tank wing, developed jointly by world champion motorcycle racer Gábor Talmácsi and Bálint Fekete via their company ERGO Racing Kft. in collaboration with Széchenyi István University. The device was recently customised by the company for the riders of the Yamaha Austria Racing Team, who went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans race using it.
The Austrian YART team won the motorcycle 24-hour race at Le Mans. A Hungarian innovation also contributed to this victory, as the Yamaha Austria Racing Team used a more highly developed, rider-specific version of the ergonomic tank wing created through the cooperation of Gábor Talmácsi and his business partner Bálint Fekete’s company, ERGO Racing Kft., and Széchenyi István University.
The Yamaha Austria Racing team won the 24 Hours of Le Mans (Source: ERGO Racing Facebook)
The essence of the innovation lies in enabling the rider to connect more effectively to the motorcycle’s tank with their legs. This provides support during braking, particularly when cornering, where significant lean angles place considerable physical strain on the body. By stabilising the leg, the device relieves the arms, thereby reducing muscle fatigue and improving control over the vehicle.
“Our collaboration with the University has enabled us to bring to market a product that contributes to more dynamic yet safer racing. ERGO quickly gained international recognition and is now used by numerous Superbike and MotoGP riders. This also led to our partnership with YART, for whom we developed a version of our innovation tailored to their riders. The further development of the original, easily adjustable product was justified by the nature of endurance team racing, where three or even four riders with different body dimensions alternate during the race,” explained Gábor Talmácsi.
He added that it is a great source of pride and significant professional recognition for them to have contributed to the victory of a world championship team. The value of the success is further enhanced by the fact that it was achieved in a 24-hour race, demonstrating the important role ERGO plays in reducing muscular strain. “We are grateful to Széchenyi István University for the trust that allowed us to embark on this journey, as the development realised with YART originated from our joint innovation with the institution,” he emphasised. Gábor Talmácsi also noted that ERGO is now available—albeit in a limited form—not only for professional racing but also for hobby riders.
The device mounted on the motorcycle’s tank plays a significant role in relieving muscle strain
During the development of the original product, the University provided the innovation and manufacturing technology background, as well as intellectual property support, in which its commercialisation company, Uni Inno Zrt., played a key role. According to its CEO, Gábor Dósa: “We are delighted that such significant successes arise from our joint development, and that its application genuinely contributes to the performance of motorsport participants. This clearly demonstrates the importance of utilising University knowledge.”
World champion motorcycle racer Gábor Talmácsi, co-owner of ERGO Racing Kft., Gábor Dósa, CEO of Uni Inno Zrt., and Bálint Fekete, the ERGO’s other co-owner, at Széchenyi István University’s Győr campus (Photo: Máté Dudás)
Another positive outcome from the Le Mans race is that the winner of the Superstock category was the HERT team, of which former University student Bálint Kovács is a member. The 24-year-old rider, following his victory at last season’s finale, the Bol d’Or in France, was once again able to stand on the top step of the podium at a legendary venue.
