I think everyone should consult ST before they do anything.

Seems like a bad idea to allow drafting with TT bikes.

From the sounds of it, he rode a really smart race. He locked onto a guy that doesn't get the whole drafting thing and pulled him up to the pack in front, without ever taking a pull. He shouldn't get a penalty, he should become a coach...

Well. He was a chunkier person.. so that extra work could have benefited him. There was no prize money on the line for this race, unlike Mexican running races where there is for every race. I understand the frustration of brownies brothers when they said before of people not putting the work in.

The last pack I pulled also no one came up front to help out. So perhaps this sit back mentality is among all racers in the country and this why they don't do well in ITU? This tri was pit on by the national federation.

Next time I'm gonna have a water bottle on back with reverse valve to spray leaches ha ha

You're looking at this the wrong way.

He actually helped you by taking the drag off of your back and putting it on his. You were probably .25mph faster because of him.

Your looking at it completely the wrong way. Anytime an event is DL, PR and records go out the window as tactics and such play far more important role in the race. So it becomes about placing and not what your split is, because bike tactics will play such a huge role in how you do as well as how everyone around you will do.


And if your trying to keep it "individual" effort in an DL format, I'd suggest your missing out on just accepting and embracing a kick ass tactical event.

Excuse me for trying to troll you with misinformation.

https://www.bicycling.com/...026446/how-to-draft/

Second paragraph:

Leader's Bonus
Pulling is not a thankless job. The first cyclist enjoys up to a 3.1 percent reduction in wind resistance courtesy of a low-pressure air bubble between riders, which pushes the leader along, says Bert Blocken, PhD, professor of physics at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, who led some of the research. Keep a steady pace on the front to avoid surging away from the boost—and splintering the group.

https://www.exploratorium.edu/...g/aerodynamics2.html

Suprisingly drafting not only helps the bicyclist following the leader, but the lead cyclist gains an advantage as well. Paul explained, "The interesting thing is by filling in her eddy you improve the front person's performance as well. So two people who are drafting can put out less energy than two individuals (who are not drafting) would covering the same distance in the same time." While the lead cyclist gains some advantage in this situation she still needs to expend much more energy than the cyclist who is following.


https://www.roadbikerider.com/...-drafting-on-a-bike/

It gets even more interesting when you are riding in a bigger group. Even the cyclist in front can also save up to 3 percent in effort, as the cyclists behind them break up the air current, although cyclists near the end of the group can benefit the most. The next to the last rider will see the some of the biggest drafting benefits, as there is still one more bike behind, according to the same principle.

In the instance where it's very few people, your losing time by not aiding in work load. While yes your getting a "free ride" your also likely not going fast enough to justify simply sitting in. And no your not going to run faster than the time you could save by "saving your legs".