Individual time trial

An Individual Time Trial (ITT) is a road bicycle race in which cyclists race alone against the clock (in French: contre la montre - literally "against the watch"). There are also track-based time trials where riders compete in velodromes, and team time trials (TTT). ITT's are also referred to as "the race of truth", as winning depends only on each rider's strength, endurance and determination against the clock.

Performance and tactics

If a racer catches up to a competitor, the overtaken rider is required to fall back to a specified distance (about 50 metres) behind the other so that he receives no aerodynamic shelter or help from the other.

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To do well in an ITT, a cyclist must

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• maintain a steady power output for long periods
• maintain a controlled heart rate for long periods
• have a smooth, regular pedalling technique
• position himself to be extremely aerodynamic
• discipline himself to operate just below the anaerobic threshold until near the end of the course
• blot out pain and all other distractions

Beginners are often criticized for putting in a J profile effort, meaning that they often go out too hard in the beginning, compensate by reducing their efforts in the middle, and then realize towards the end that they have not put out enough effort during the race.

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Specialized light-weight and aerodynamic bicycles, clothing, helmets, aerobars and other equipment are often used in ITT events.

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