Cyclists gear up for virtual 20km Time Trial

THE race is on to become TT’s first national online time trial champion.

TT Cycling Federationm (TTCF) in collaboration with Indoor Cycling Works introduces for the first time locally, a sanctioned 20km Time Trial using the Zwift online platform.

This unique initiative gets under way from July 10-12 at Indoor Cycle Works at 51 Mucurapo Rd, Port of Spain (inside Rafmon Marketing's compound). It caters for cyclists ranging from juniors to masters.

Zwift is an online cycling programme which enables users to interact, train and compete in a virtual world. Since the global pandemic forced cyclists to limit their training to indoors, many enthusiasts have been using the application as a substitute to outdoor workouts.

The Virtual Time Trial is carried out with a bike on a smart trainer that connects to the Zwift online platform. Each cyclist will attempt to complete the virtual 20km course in their fastest time.

The course is entitled Zwift’s Richmond’s “The Fan Flats”. It is one of the flattest routes on the app, with only 13m of elevation gain per 5km (3.1 mile) lap. Riders will complete approximately four laps of this course. The estimated time to complete the distance is 35 minutes.

Once pre-registered, each rider will book a time slot at the venue to race. Riders will use their own bikes on a Wahoo Kicker smart trainer provide by Indoor Cycle Works to complete the time trial.

Cyclists, however, must be present at the Indoor Cycling Works studio to race in the Virtual Time Trial.

Each participant is required to arrive at least 45 minutes before his/her time slot to weigh in and warm up before starting the time trial. No more than two cyclists will perform the time trial at the same time.

All that is needed to participate in the Virtual Time Trial is a bike, personal hydration and a towel. Cyclists do not need to have a Zwift account or a smart trainer as these will be provided by the hosts at the venue. Both registered and nonregistered cyclists are invited to participate.

Cyclist will not be able to do the time trial from home. The Virtual Time Trial is sanctioned by the TTCF to ensure accuracy and transparency. As a result, cyclists will have to weigh in and use the same type of equipment.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three fastest times in each category. Competing categories range from male and female juniors (16–18 years), Elite 1 and 2, Elite 18–39years, Masters 40-49, Master 50-59, Masters 60+ and a male and female open.

Pre-registration opens on Thursday and closes on July 7. Cyclists can also register in the first hour on the July 10 and 11 at the venue. Pre-registered cyclists will be able to book a day/time in advance. Cyclist that register on the day will be give the next available time in the day.

To pre-register, participants must download the registration form from the TTCF Facebook page and the pay the TT$100 registration fee by deposit at any First Citizens Bank, or electronic transfer to the TTCF account # FCB2249440.

Cyclists will then email or WhatsApp the completed registration from and deposit their receipt to ttcyclingfederaiontto@gmail.com or (868) 303–0941. Confirmation of cyclists’ timeslots will be communicated on July 8 at a virtual technical meeting with all cyclists from 6pm

For more information, contact the above telephone number.