Foldable Bikes Party: Introduction to the team time trial

Wednesday, 15 July 2015

Introduction to the team time trial

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Combining the speed of time trialling and the tactics of team cycling, team time trial events are a test of skill, performance and preparation. 9up TT is a format that is gaining increasing popularity. Steph Foster of womenâ€™s cycling club the Crankettes discusses the format, what it involves and how to prepare.

The Crankettes were one of 10 teams competing in the 2015 BMCC Silverstone 9up TT. This charity event is located at England's world-famous Silverstone Grand Prix motor race circuit, guaranteeing smooth tarmac but little shelter from the wind.

The 9up TT is a team time trial format that sees nine riders compete together over a course or circuit. At least five members of the team must complete the course together in order to qualify for a finishing place.Teams will usually select the nine fastest members of their club or squad.

For the BMCC Silverstone 9Up TT, competitors were only permitted to use standard road bicycles; time trial bikes were not allowed, in order to level the field of competition. Other TTT events will allow the use of time trial bikes. The course at Silverstone was 10 miles long in total, consisting of three laps of the circuit.

Five top tips for 9up TT

Ensure your bike is as light as possible and race ready. Remove pumps, saddle bags, unnecessary drinks bottles and so on.
Ride as a team as much as possible. Solo riding is good for overall fitness but it does not improve team riding.
Ensure your warmup is productive. Increase your heart rate and warm the muscles up. Ten-mile races are over very quickly so you can't afford to use the first part of the race to warm up.
Make sure all your team tactics are in place before race day. There is nothing worse than trying to devise a plan five minutes before the race.
And finally... enjoy it! You've trained hard for this event and the pressure is on, but don't ever lose the team spirit otherwise there is no point in racing.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com