How to win a time trial?

Every year, the cycling association IJsselstreek and the KNWU are organizing the Dutch Club Championship (NCK) in Dronten. What makes this event unique is that it consists of 4 team time trials. The club that performs the best will be crowned Dutch club champion for a year. During this event, we are also hosting the unofficial Dutch Time Trial Championship for company teams. Our own TD – Farmbikes team will also be participating. We are already busy with preparations and training. But how do you win a time trial?

Here are some tips on how to win a time trial

Training

Start preparing early. If you can train with the team you’re competing with for 1 to 2 months leading up to the NCK, that’s ideal. This way, you can figure out the best formation to ride in. It’s also wise to explore the course a few times with your team so there are no surprises during the race. Pay attention to corners, as you can gain or lose a lot of time here. Also, the rider at the front shouldn’t accelerate immediately after a corner. Consider that the last rider often needs to make an extra effort to catch up.

Cycling

When forming your team, consider the height and strength of the riders. Ideally, avoid placing the tallest rider behind the smallest one. Distribute the strengths evenly across your team. Don’t put the two fastest riders back to back. Aim to maintain a consistent speed as a team, with a margin of about 2 km per hour. Have the strongest riders take longer turns at the front instead of accelerating. Communication during the time trial is crucial. Designate a team captain to ensure smooth operation and monitor the pace. Preferably, choose an experienced rider who is also one of the stronger ones. Riders struggling should communicate and, if necessary, skip a few turns at the front.

Equipment to win a time trial

Of course, we also consider equipment and where we can gain the most time and at what cost? Assuming a speed of 40 km/h, the following adjustments yield the following time savings:

Aerodynamic time trial suit, approx. 134 sec.
Aero handlebars, approx. 122 sec.
Aero helmet, approx. 67 sec.
Front wheel with 2-4 spokes, approx. 42 sec.
Solid rear wheel, approx. 29 sec.
Overshoes, approx. 30 sec.
Aero frame, approx. 17 sec.

These time savings are compared to conventional clothing and equipment. And, of course, it’s an indication. Do you have an aerodynamic road bike with aerobars? Then you’re already heading in the right direction without spending too much. Of course, a dedicated time trial bike is even better, but that’s thousands of Euros.

Now let’s talk about wheels. You can gain over a minute with the right wheels. A quick search online will give you an idea of what’s available. The time savings from a solid rear wheel aren’t spectacular, but the sound of a swooshing wheel boosts morale and gives a sense of speed. A solid rear wheel costs around 800 Euros. This is quite a bit of money for less than a minute of time saved, especially considering how few time trials you’ll likely ride.

What remains is your own fitness and conditioning. How much power can you generate, and how should you train in the coming month? Or as a former pro rider once said: Shift into high gear and hammer it!