August 20/07 3:23 am - Warp Speed Team Time Trial August 26th

Posted by Editoress on 08/20/07
 

Warp Speed Team Time Trial
Courtesy Team Escape Velocity

All Aboard the Pain Train: Team Time Trial Will Push Cyclists' Limits

Team Escape Velocity is pleased to announce the Warp Speed Team Time Trial to be held in Abbotsford on August 26, 2007. Teams of four riders each will race against the clock on an out and back course that will provide teams with a test of their strength, endurance and determination.

“The team trial hasn't been held locally in recent memory,” Jason Thompson, Team Escape Velocity race co-organizer said. “We felt it was important to introduce this event to the racing schedule, especially with the number of local cycling teams racing in multi-stage races elsewhere in North America and internationally.”

The cycling team time trial is usually conducted as part of a multi-stage road race, such as the Giro d'Italia or Tour de France. Unlike the individual time trial, racers are permitted to “draft” (ride in the slipstream of) their teammates. The team rides in a formation with the front cyclist riding just above their physical threshold intensity, while the other three riders draft behind. After a period of time, the front rider will rotate to the back of the formation to recover while another fresher rider takes a turn at the front. Special light weight and aerodynamic time trial bicycles, helmets and aero handlebars will be used by many of the top teams. To be successful in the team time trial, riders must be able to sustain very high physical output over a long period of time, maintain a controlled heart rate, have a smooth pedaling technique, and ride as a team in tight formation.

“We are expecting a fast and exciting day of racing,” Chris Squire, Team Escape Velocity race co-organizer said. “The top teams in this event are expected to average speeds of 50 km/hr over the duration of the 50 km race.”

In this event a team's time is recorded when the third rider crosses the finish line. This timing rule will allow some teams to strategically allocate their riders' efforts throughout the race and finish with their three strongest riders. However, it is also expected that for many teams, only three riders will be able to sustain the punishing pace for the duration of the race.

Event Details

Date: August 26, 2007
Location: Abbotsford, BC

• Parking: McDonald Park at No. 3 Road/N. Parallel Road
• Registration: N. Parallel Road just north of Atkinson Road

Time: Sign on 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM; First team starts at 9:15 AM

Team Categories and Distance:

Men
• Category 1/2, Category 3: (50.6km - three loops)
• Category 4/5 (34.4km - two loops)

Women
• Category 1/2/3 (50.6 km - three loops) and Category 4 (34.4km - 2 loops)


Mixed Teams
• Men and women may ride together; team will compete in the men's category that matches the highest category rider on the team.

Juniors (34.4km - 2 loops)

For complete details, see: www.escapevelocity.bc.ca/ttt