Perhaps because Americans were introduced to triathlons via the Ironman triathlon, few triathlons in the U.S. allow drafting on the bike. On the other hand, many European countries focusing on the Olympics do allow bike drafting. This gives Europeans an advantage. Why don’t we allow drafting in all Olympic and sprint distance triathlons in the U.S.?

European cyclists and triathletes, at all levels, are known for their bike handling. They have more opportunities to race on demanding and small roads. They have more criteriums, track races and cyclocross than we do. European cyclists and triathletes have more experience and the results in the classics, road race sprints and Olympic distance triathlons bear this out. While American cyclists are fine time trial riders and climbers, we seem to lack bike handling skills to compete across the board.

Perhaps the only reason not to draft is there is more risk of a tired triathlete touching a wheel and crashing. That is a risk worth taking as the tired triathlete also has the choice of dropping off and riding at their own pace.

Here are some benefits:

In the triathlon, the U.S. could gain from drafting because it would build physical and tactical skill.

Drafting on the bike would raise the speed of our triathlons. The bike leg would be faster. The swim leg could be faster due to the motivation of staying with the pack and the run with a group of runners starting together is also likely to be faster.

Regardless of age group or gender, triathletes will have the opportunity to compete at a higher level with drafting. Juniors could draft off the professionals to gain experience. Age groupers could also draft to improve their times and chances of finishing. Even two riders riding together in last place would do better pacing each other to the finish.

Policing the no-draft rule is at best a spot check attempt to keep it from happening. Like a speeding ticket, drivers are caught, however we know that most people speeding are not caught. Doing away with the no-draft rule would free up organizers and officials and make it a more level playing field.

If we want to have better Olympic triathlon results, we need more experience here in the U.S. before we send our triathletes to the Olympics.