I just finished my first season of racing in the US after having lived the past 20 years in Europe, of which last 10 in Italy.
Below are my thoughts. Would be curious to know if others share / don't share my experiences:
1. Greater variance in abilities (finishing times) in the US. I guess similar to income distribution, there is a much broader bell curve in the US compared to Italy. While the winning non pro times are def faster in the States (no amateur does 4 hours there), at the same time, you don't have many folks requiring more than 5.5 hours for a flat course half.
2. More dangerous in the US! Granted, I might be very biased as I had a massive crash 2 months after moving back to the US so I am more sensitive... but nonetheless, I def feel racing stateside is more dangerous caused by three factors: busier roads, crappier roads, more congestion (see point below). In Italy, Sunday is the designated rest day which means cycling heaven. Very very few cars on the road. Races were open to traffic but really a non issue. Here I had a couple of scares in Musselman which is held in any area with very low population density. Crappy roads - Italy is mocked for having very bad roads compared to France and Switzerland (I concur haven't cycled in all 3 places). But the roads in the Northeast are far worse.
3. Congestion. In Italy I primarily did local races which typically had 200 - 400 athletes. Here it seems more WTC dominated (I haven't done an Olympic yet since back; next year) so many many more folks. Last weekend in AC 70.3 I def felt the congestion in the 3 lap course. I did 2.16.xx for the bike course and I didn't feel relaxed overtaking the many many slower cyclists. Never had that issue or feeling racing across the pond.
4. Porta potty. I only did one race in Italy that had Porta potties (Italian championship), here there are tons! Never have seen Porta potties at aid stations, people just pee on the side of the road (or in their race suit). Different level of comfort with nudity
Overall very different experience.
Hope this is useful for some folks
Below are my thoughts. Would be curious to know if others share / don't share my experiences:
1. Greater variance in abilities (finishing times) in the US. I guess similar to income distribution, there is a much broader bell curve in the US compared to Italy. While the winning non pro times are def faster in the States (no amateur does 4 hours there), at the same time, you don't have many folks requiring more than 5.5 hours for a flat course half.
2. More dangerous in the US! Granted, I might be very biased as I had a massive crash 2 months after moving back to the US so I am more sensitive... but nonetheless, I def feel racing stateside is more dangerous caused by three factors: busier roads, crappier roads, more congestion (see point below). In Italy, Sunday is the designated rest day which means cycling heaven. Very very few cars on the road. Races were open to traffic but really a non issue. Here I had a couple of scares in Musselman which is held in any area with very low population density. Crappy roads - Italy is mocked for having very bad roads compared to France and Switzerland (I concur haven't cycled in all 3 places). But the roads in the Northeast are far worse.
3. Congestion. In Italy I primarily did local races which typically had 200 - 400 athletes. Here it seems more WTC dominated (I haven't done an Olympic yet since back; next year) so many many more folks. Last weekend in AC 70.3 I def felt the congestion in the 3 lap course. I did 2.16.xx for the bike course and I didn't feel relaxed overtaking the many many slower cyclists. Never had that issue or feeling racing across the pond.
4. Porta potty. I only did one race in Italy that had Porta potties (Italian championship), here there are tons! Never have seen Porta potties at aid stations, people just pee on the side of the road (or in their race suit). Different level of comfort with nudity
Overall very different experience.
Hope this is useful for some folks