Individual time trial
An Individual Time Trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock (in French: contre la montre – literally "against the watch"). There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials (TTT). ITT's are also referred to as "the race of truth", as winning depends only on each rider's strength and determination against the clock.
Starting times are at equal intervals, usually one or two minutes apart. The starting sequence is usually based on the finishing times in preceding races (or preceding stages in the case of a multi-stage race) in reverse order of the competitors placing (with the highest ranked cyclist starting last). Starting later gives the racer the advantage of knowing what time they need to beat (and also makes the event more interesting to spectators). Competitors are not permitted to draft (ride in the slipstream) behind each other. Any help between riders is forbidden. The rider with the fastest time is declared the winner.
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Professional time trialling
At the professional level, time trials (TTs) are frequently accompanied by motorcycles, some carrying video equipment or race officials, and riders may be followed by a team car carrying coaches and spare parts, but the cyclists are not permitted to draft behind the vehicles. Race regulations typically dictate a minimum distance behind the cyclist which the car must maintain and a minimum gap that must exist between two cyclists before the car may enter that gap.
Individual time trials are often used as stages in stage races such as the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. The Grand Prix des Nations is a semi-Classic event; professionals may also compete in the annual World time trial championship.
Top professional exponents of the individual time trial include Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault, Laurent Fignon, Greg LeMond and Lance Armstrong.
UK time trial competition
For many years in the UK, time trials were the main road-based cycling competitions ('massed start' road racing only gained grudging approval after the Second World War), and remain popular today. Organised by Cycling Time Trials (formerly the Road Time Trial Council), the main season is from March to September.
ITTs are usually held over a specified course of fixed distance, 10, 25, 50 and 100 miles being common. ITTs can also be held over a fixed time (12 and 24 hours being most common). Many events are held on courses comprised of fast flat roads to assist riders in achieving personal bests; events are normally timed to avoid periods when roads will be busy with cars and lorries, etc – so most take place early in the morning on Saturdays or Sundays.
'Best All-rounder' (BAR) competitions are also held, with senior male riders recording their best times over 50 and 100 miles, plus their best distance in 12 hours (senior women BAR competitions are based on 25, 50 and 100 miles performances). The winner is the rider with the highest average speed over all three events.
In addition to the set distances (10, 25, etc), riders can also compete in 'sporting' events held over more challenging courses of more variable lengths, often with significant climbs, along more twisting routes. These are popular as early season events, as are team time trials. Towards the end of the main season, hill climb events are also held.
Leading male British exponents at the shorter distances include Chris Boardman, Graeme Obree and Stuart Dangerfield. For many years, women's time trialling was dominated by Beryl Burton.
Tactics, etc
If a racer catches up to a competitor, the overtaken rider is required to fall back to a specified distance (about 50 metres) behind the other so that he receives no aerodynamic shelter or help from the other.
To do well in an ITT, a cyclist must
- maintain a high heart rate for long periods
- have a smooth, regular pedalling technique
- position himself to be extremely aerodynamic
- discipline himself to operate just below the anaerobic threshold until near the end of the course
- blot out pain and all other distractions
Specialized light-weight and aerodynamic bicycles, clothing, helmets, aerobars and other equipment are often used in ITT events.
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External links
Categories: Cycle racing