WTRL TTT – Richmond UCI
Course Notes – 2 Laps – 33km
Over the 16km or so each lap, you have the first half where things are pretty flat and it is a power course where solid Rotations and good discipline at high wattage (130%+ of Team Average Power) will pay dividends.
Problem is, you then have the 2nd half of each lap that, after an initial fast downhill, has the 3 team-splitting climbs of 700m, 300m and 1000m respectively.
My thoughts on how to tackle the two halves are below.
A note on the TTT Time Predictor and Power Planner for this course could be invaluable. With the changes between raw power and W/KG coming so fast, to be able to chop between the two and know what each rider should be doing will help make a coherent team performance.
The Power Planner will tell every rider what they need to be doing in every position. You need to abandon these on the 3 climbs however, to choose a w/kg target that all riders can acheive. I would suggest an average of the team ‘Position 2’ w/kg on the first lap and then really stretch it on Lap 2 for each climb
Full Details below. Distances are full race distance, starting from the pens. Use the PRINT button for a simplified print out.
| Distance | Feature Length | Elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAP 1 | |||
| 0.0km | 8.3km | Quick lead in from the pens, straight out under the arch. Time to quickly get in formation and be as efficient as possible on this first half of the lap. | |
| 8.4km | 1km | 4-6% | DESCENT #1: Long with a slight plateau. IF you are are team that is pushing over 3w/kg (over 250 raw watts) on the front, then consider NOT Supertucking, as you will be quicker. Under this level and the ST becomes more attractive. |
| 9.5km | 3km | Straight back onto the turns if you were not already doing them. | |
| 12.4km | 600m | 6-10% | CLIMB #1: First big test as a team. Several more to come, so suggest staying together, with an agreed ‘Position 2’ W/KG target for each rider. Lighter riders who may have drifted off the front should keep going as heavier riders will catch up on descent that follows |
| 13km | 500m | Short flatter section, ideal to regroup before descent, but if together, PUSH over this to get the speed back up | |
| 13.5km | 400m | DESCENT #2: If your speed is high enough, this a short Supertuck here to gather breath would be good idea | |
| 13.9km | 300m | 11% | CLIMB #2: Shorter, steeper climb. Time to be made up by standing and really driving this one at over threshold, perhaps 10-20W higher than previous. This should still be attainable for the team. Push over to 14.2km |
| 14.2km | 1.3km | 4-5% | DESCENT #3: Longer, shallowing over the length. Last chance to get back together before ….. |
| 15.5km | 1km | 5-7% | CLIMB #3 : Consistant gradient, shallowing as you round the bend. Lap 1: Position 2, threshold power again. IF you lose anyone here, if they cannot get back on by the start finish banner, then you are better going without. |
| Distance | Feature Length | Elevation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAP 2 | |||
| 16.7km | 8.1km | Take stock of the team and adjust turns accordingly in terms of power or duration. Can you push on a bit, adding 10W to the targets? | |
| 24.8km | 1km | 4-6% | DESCENT #4: Long with a slight plateau. IF you are are team that is pushing over 3w/kg (over 250 raw watts) on the front, then consider NOT Supertucking, as you will be quicker. Under this level and the ST becomes more attractive. |
| 25.8km | 3km | Straight back onto the turns if you were not already doing them. Riders who struggled on the previous could hammer this 3km and then drop off…if you have the numbers. | |
| 28.7km | 600m | 6-10% | CLIMB #4: I would stick with an agreed ‘Position 1/2’ W/KG target for each rider. Lighter riders who may have drifted off the front should keep going as heavier riders will catch up on descent that follows. |
| 29.3km | 500m | Short flatter section, ideal to regroup before descent, but if together, PUSH over this to get the speed back up | |
| 29.8km | 400m | DESCENT #5: If your speed is high enough, this a short Supertuck here to gather breath would be good idea | |
| 30.2km | 300m | 11% | CLIMB #5: Heading to best effort territory. Time to be made up by standing and really driving this one at over threshold, close to Pos1 power for all riders Push over to 30.7km |
| 30.5km | 1.3km | 4-5% | DESCENT #6: Longer, shallowing over the length. Assuming you have enough left, take the breather for final climb |
| 31.8km | 1km | 5-7% | CLIMB #6: Consistant gradient, shallowing as you round the bend. Lap 2: Big effort from all now, right to the finish. Best effort from everyone from half way up and each rider concentrating on getting to the line asap. |