Top10 bike splits at Clearwater tell it all!
November 19th, 2009 by Graeme
At the finish line in Clearwater Greg Welsh asked the 2008 70.3 world champion, Terenzo Bozzone, if the race was ‘clean’ and he replied; I wouldn’t say it was clean. . . if there are that many guys around that can hold 28mph the sport is really going places.
Well that’s what we thought so we took a look at the spread of bike splits across the pro and age group top 10s. What we found was not very much spread at all, the reason being drafting.
Female bike split Top 10 ranges:
PRO 2:07-2:24
F 18-24 2:13-2:35
F 25-29 2:12-2:24!! NB-1st in this AG (4:15) would have placed 10th pro ahead of Leanda Cave!
F 30-34 2:12-2:23!!
F 35-39 2:12-2:23!!!
F 40-45 2:17-2:26!!
F 45-49 2:16-2:28!!
Olympic cycling Time Trial medallist Karin Thuerig rode 2:10.
To do “well” you need to be able to swim mediocre – ride OK but draft like hell then run sub 1:30 half marathon and bingo, age group medal.
But to do “properly well” you need to be able to swim well (25-26 mins = 1:19-1:22/100m) have a superb ride then run sub 1:30 half marathon.
So what is “properly well”?
Assuming aero kit / position, flat roads and a combined rider and bike weight of 75kg. 250watts would get your PRO female rider a 2:13:30 split (40.4km/h). Wait a minute that means even the age group women are riding 250 watts for 3hrs right up to 35-39 age group? No drafting there then!
On to the men and frankly the times suggest that the mens racing is generally cleaner than the women’s at age group level! I think Terenzo Bozzone’s comment sums up the PRO race!
Male bike split Top 10 ranges:
PRO 1:58-2:01
18-24 2:02-2:12
25-29 2:06-2:15
30-34 2:08-2:13
35-39 2:04-2:12
40-44 2:06-2:11
45-49 2:06-2:15
Same calcs for men based on rider + bike 82kg slightly larger frontal surface area and fractionally higher drag (due to size) a similar 2:12 bike split would require 285 watts. Holly molly, either Florida put something in the water or there is some serious drafting going on. The guy who finished 100th in male 35-39 rode 2:07 then ran 1:43 so he can put out 300watts for 3 hrs but only run 8 min miles? Either he’s enormous, a cheat or has the most stupid race strategy you’ve ever seen. Something went very wrong with this race and there are 100’s of examples like this.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I have to defend one of the male professionals as well as agree to the charges of rampant drafting. I was all over the course as a spectator and saw first hand the pro pelotons. What upsets me is that the guy I coach, Andrew Starykowicz couldn’t snap the elastic on these folks. Andrew went 2:00:15 here last year, went 2:04 this year at Steelhead (all alone 5:20 up on Potts), and got away from everyone (including Matty Reed) at his last race. Here’s a guy who, in workouts as well as races, has held 385 watts for well over an hour (425 in Chicago ‘08) who can’t get away from 30 other athletes? Come On! I emailed a pic from the course.