The Eddy Merckx bike company a while (10-15 years?) ago announced a 500,000 Euro research grant for exploration of analyzing the how and why of well mannered and safe racing bicycles. Never heard any results.

In the early 80's the FCI shared its research of road race bike design with Italy's top builders. The result was a further of the practice that Gios was already onto of short top tubes, long stems and more weight on the front wheel. Pinarello from my review really bought into this afterward.