Team Time Trial

If you want to read about the WTRL TTT event series, see here https://wtrl.racing/ttt/TTT-Rules-and-Info.php

Race Registration

Please ensure that your height and weight settings in Zwift are correct and true as there are spot checks!

You could add the team name to your profile name in Zwift e.g. Jason Fitchew (Essex)

Make sure you are registered with Zwift Power - https://www.zwiftpower.com/

You need to also be registered with WTRL (https://www.wtrl.racing/registration.php) before you can sign into the race event.

You will be sent a Race Pass link by the team captain so that you are signed into the event as part of the correct team. This link takes you to the Zwift Event via the WTRL website. You will then need to select the right Pen, which the captain will also tell you.

Best bike option is usually the Tron, otherwise the most aero bike you’ve got (but not a TT bike otherwise you won’t benefit from drafting!)

Audio Comms

Install the Discord app on to your phone and connect to the Zwift Essex server - https://discord.gg/uWcc9cY

Select the appropriate audio channel for the team you are riding with e.g. “Essex”

Get connected about 15mins before the event starts to ensure all working ok and pre-race tactics.

If the audio breaks-up at any time then try disconnecting and reconnecting to Discord. If you lose audio then revert to following the plan precisely and give on screen messages if able to.

THE START

Each team has to wait in the Pen for a set amount of time after the banner has dropped for the event start.

1. Enter the Pen well before the official banner-down start to give yourself time for any issues.

2. You can continue warming-up until just before the banner goes down but then must stop pedalling and wait until the team’s nominated start time which is ? mins later.

3. It is possible to continue warming up if you enter the Pairing Screen (no power readings are sent to Zwift when in this screen).

4. A 10sec countdown will be called out by captain for your start.

5. With just 2 or 3 secs to go start pedalling hard (350-400W) and then on 0, exit the pairing screen (make sure you know how to do this – practice before the race). This gives you the fastest way to start.

6. There is a bit of lag before everyone appears on screen together but try to quickly spot where you are in relation to the others. If behind then put the hammer down to catch-up, if you are ahead of everyone then ease (~200W) until they start to get close to you then get up to speed as they join you.

7. Once everyone is together then the first rider can do their turn on the front.

POWER PLAN

Everyone has a power they need to hit when riding their turn on the front (see example table below). These have been tested in Zwift so that you are all effectively riding the same speed when on the front – this keeps things steady and avoids the inefficiency of accelerations and risk of gaps opening up. The time you need to ride on the front is calculated so that everyone will end-up doing an overall effort that is close to their FTP power.

The most important thing is to all keep together (no gaps) and to execute smooth changeovers on the front

If at any time you think you won’t be able to pull the watts indicated on the front, then either shorten your turn or skip it but try not to vary from your power target unless we have communicated a change.

Sometimes the plan may involve certain riders doing a harder effort before a key climb and then dropping out. But 4 riders need to cross the finish line as the team time is taken on the 4th rider.

The Power Plan will also show the sort of power you can do when in the draft. This varies depending on what position you are in the line and also the gradient of the road (you will need more power when climbing as the draft effect is reduced). When the road gets steeper than 4 or 5% then the draft effect is practically zero so we normally specify a reduced climbing target power for these segments that is aimed at not dropping the weakest rider (that needs to finish).

EXAMPLE POWER PLAN

Here we are maxing out two riders (Dan and Smithy) before a key climb to save energy for Tel and Pete, who will have to put the hardest effort in to get over that climb and onto the finish.

Start to foot of Climb

The Climb

Drafting

Efficient drafting is key to your survival and success of the team so make sure there are no gaps and that you are not working too hard unnecessarily due to “sticky” effect.

Riders sometimes yo-yo back and forth in the line because they over compensate and/or react too late to their avatars movements. A good tip is to watch your avatar’s head in relation to the back of the rider in front, then you are able to see smaller movements and react to these quicker to maintain a steady position behind the rider in front. Act decisively if a gap starts to develop, it will grow larger before your avatar reacts to the increased power and then as soon as the gap starts to close you can come off the power as again there will be a delay before your avatar eases up. Immediate micro-adjustments are more efficient.

FRONT CHANGEOVERS (crucial to get this right!)

Front rider

• Hit your Front Power and keep it steady (best to set Zwift to show 3 sec average power)

• Usually there is a nominated person that will tell you when your turn is about to end (otherwise keep an eye on your interval time and call the next rider when you have a few secs left).

• If you are struggling, then call the next rider sooner but try to still hit your target power. If you are feeling strong then offer to go longer rather than going harder and putting others in the red!

• Keep your power up until your turn is over then briefly drop your power to about 100W or less so that you quickly move off the front. When you start nearing the back of the line give a kick and you should smoothly attach on to the back of the line of riders.

There is an art to this “Sink and Sprint” method - If you don’t drop your power enough then you’ll more than likely join the group mid-pack and then a gap will open up as the riders behind get stuck to your wheel. If you drop your power for too long then you may go out the back and struggle to get back on! There is further complication by the gradient and speed the group is currently at so try to get a feel for how fast you are moving back compared to the group and determine when to give that kick to rejoin the line.

Next rider

• Be ready when the rider before you is approaching the end of their interval time. You should try to be already positioned in 2nd wheel or at least near to the front so you are ready to take over.

• As soon as you hear the call for your turn (could be earlier than expected) start building up to your front riding power and be patient as your avatar moves to the front don’t start upping the power to move on to the front quicker, as you are likely to then overshoot and create a gap – keep it smooth! Ease slightly if you are coming passed too quickly or a gap develops. This is a common problem if you are coming from too far back in the line so try to position in 2nd wheel when it is approaching your turn.

Other riders

• When the front ride drops they sometimes can cause a gap to open up if they come back into the line too early (i.e. not at the back). To help avoid this everyone should try to close-up tighter (increase power) when the front rider starts to drop back. If a gap opens up act quickly to close it!

• If you happen to roll through to the front (usually on or just after downhills) then just continue riding at your drafting power, the lead rider will return to the front in time and can benefit from your momentum.

• Think ahead about where you need to be positioned in the line according to the rider order.

• Give early warning if you need to miss your turn.

• Close any gaps quickly! (7-8wkg+)