Hyderabad Time Trial - Race Report

Ramswaroop during his effort

The Hyderabad cycle racing season got under way last month with an individual time trial or ITT. It’s the kind of race in which cyclists race against the clock and not directly against/with competitors. Riders are made to start isolated (with a time gap between them) and their times are noted for the race distance. The distance at this race was 14km, on the fresh tarmac of the Outer Ring Road, Medchal-Shamirpet.

Individual Time Trial

If all we need is the timings of riders from start to finish, why are they made to start one after the other? Can’t they all start at the same time and can’t times be noted at the finish line as they arrive? Like the 100m running sprint? Isn’t that easier?

Yes, it is easier logistically and the race is wrapped up early. That practice does exist but for another kind of road race. The reason why riders start one after the other is so that riding alone is simulated. Riding in a group/behind another cyclist makes it easier for the ones shielded from the wind and that is not a correct reflection of the cyclist’s ability as a solo rider. Any kind of pacing is banned. This race is exclusively for the individual. You are asked to ride the distance and some people clock you for it. The gap is set as 30s or its multiples because it is easier arithmetic at the end of the race for the ones with the clocks.

Imagine setting arbitrary time gaps and adding/subtracting to and from start times and end times and elapsed times. The one with the best time for the distance wins. Time Trials are a discipline in itself and need certain physical attributes to do well at. “Aerodynamics” (efficiency) of the human and the machine are far more crucial than one would imagine.

Riding alone and unpaced

This format gives you nothing to hide behind. Every rider gives his/her best in time trials. Very little is left to luck.

Line-up

Race route

The starting sequence at this race was decided on the basis of a draw. In most time trials, when the abilities/ranking of riders is known (usually from their performance in the last race), the starting sequence becomes the reverse of the merit list. The guy ranked lowest starts first and the “fastest” guy starts last. This makes for exciting viewing especially towards the end.

The riders use the guys in front as “carrots”. When they leave the start line, the guy in front may not be visible right away. To get close enough to bring the guy within seeing distance becomes the motivation. Then the motivation is to get close to the guy. And then it is to pass the guy, and crush his soul, and move on to the next guy, and repeat until finish line. All this while they know/think they are ‘better’ than the guy in front and that perhaps makes it easier for many to bridge the gaps.

ORR

The Nehru Outer Ring Road or ‘ORR’ is a ring, literally, around the city. In its final form, it will be 160km long. While the wide roads and great surface make it perfect conditions to ride on, the ORR does not allow two-wheelers or any type of slow moving vehicles on it. Definitely no ‘wrong side’ traffic on the wide shoulder on either side of the expressway. Ironically, this makes the road very ridable and safe for cyclists. The stretch of ORR between Medchal and Shamirpet is relatively freshly laid tarmac. It is not manned at the toll booths and there is no police activity on it – yet. This makes it the perfect for a bike race and we will enjoy it while it lasts.

The first 7km was downhill overall (only slightly) with the wind in favour. The next 7km was the opposite. The race saw a Railways’ 1-2 finish with Ramswaroop Jakhar and Jetharam Gath, both of South Central Railway finishing with 40s between them. Well, Jetharam also rides for Team Trek Firefox. The top 4 at the race finished with a minute and 10 seconds between them. All riders who turned up finished and there were no dropouts or casualties.

Results:

The “Season”

Podium and Prizes

Thanks to Krish, The Bike Affair, Hyderabad Cycling Club and all the volunteers for this race. This was the first race of the season for us in Hyderabad. It extends from April to December, 2013.

There is no concept of “season” for the races held by the CFI, at least not one that I can comprehend. There are a set number of races to expect in the year. They are few and far between. Which month some of them will be held in, can only be guessed. The summer does not see many races. The most important races are held with a notice of a few weeks. Many get cancelled or worse, postponed. Logistics are a joke.

With that in the background, the clubs are doing a great job. They are super organised, predictable, never get cancelled, deliver what they promise, are volunteer driven and cyclist supported/funded. Several brands and manufacturers are coming forward to sponsor these club races and they deserve every bit of support. Please give it up for HCC, TCC and BBCh.

(Images courtesy Hyderabad Cycling Club)