Over the last month, there has been a lot of finger pointing at the officials and athletes in these 2 races. Without a doubt, both of these races look like a USA Cycling sanctioned criterium, for the bike leg. I stood at Kawaihai watching the peletons roll by. I think the same thing happened in Florida this past weekend.
Both Kona and 70.3 share the same problem. The level of these athletes, whom had to qualify, are not very different. They are all the "best of the best." Given the flat courses along with similar abilities, where do these athletes go? Unless the bike ride starts off with a 20 mile climb, these riders are going to be bunched up, riding on top of each other. This is the case for everyone, not just pros or age groupers.
Hats of to Lieto, who actually rode off the front in Clearwater. Same goes to Normann in Kona.
The only solution is to start these races with a run or a substantial climb. Both of these would separate the abilities for the end of the bike ride.
It is inevitable that similar riders are not going to separate themselves in these crowded races. We need a solution, such as a Palomar climb at the beginning of these bike segments.
Both Kona and 70.3 share the same problem. The level of these athletes, whom had to qualify, are not very different. They are all the "best of the best." Given the flat courses along with similar abilities, where do these athletes go? Unless the bike ride starts off with a 20 mile climb, these riders are going to be bunched up, riding on top of each other. This is the case for everyone, not just pros or age groupers.
Hats of to Lieto, who actually rode off the front in Clearwater. Same goes to Normann in Kona.
The only solution is to start these races with a run or a substantial climb. Both of these would separate the abilities for the end of the bike ride.
It is inevitable that similar riders are not going to separate themselves in these crowded races. We need a solution, such as a Palomar climb at the beginning of these bike segments.