I watched the mens' Olympic Triathlon yesterday. Although it was a great race to watch and I admired Alistair Brownlee's efforts on the run, I couldn't help wondering what the result would have been if the race was a non-draft affair? The guys are all quite evenly matched on the swim (sickeningly fast too). However, if a hillier course was chosen and non-draft applied I reckon the race would be far more interesting. Imagine every competitor going full out on the bike? The format now is making the event a 10k run race. Another option could be a time trial format where competitors start at 1 or 2 minute intervals. With today's high tech timing we could receive splits for individuals, just like they do in the Tour De France TTs. How much slower would the run splits be after going full pelt on the bike, I wonder? I am sure that the same guys would make the Pro level but not so sure that the same guys would be winning?
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Olympic Triathlon or Another Olympic 10k Race?
I watched the mens' Olympic Triathlon yesterday. Although it was a great race to watch and I admired Alistair Brownlee's efforts on the run, I couldn't help wondering what the result would have been if the race was a non-draft affair? The guys are all quite evenly matched on the swim (sickeningly fast too). However, if a hillier course was chosen and non-draft applied I reckon the race would be far more interesting. Imagine every competitor going full out on the bike? The format now is making the event a 10k run race. Another option could be a time trial format where competitors start at 1 or 2 minute intervals. With today's high tech timing we could receive splits for individuals, just like they do in the Tour De France TTs. How much slower would the run splits be after going full pelt on the bike, I wonder? I am sure that the same guys would make the Pro level but not so sure that the same guys would be winning?
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3 comments:
I agree; as it is the best runner always seems to win, providing they don't get dropped in the swim. A TT format where competitors start at one minute intervals in reverse order based on a pre-agreed seeding order would work. You could have this as draft legal so team tactics could be used; sacrificing one competitor to tow another round on the bike. With regular splits this could be compelling viewing.
The format of drafting was introduced to increase the veiwing of the events prior to the Olympics. It is the reason behind Lessing and smith stepping away from standard racing and concentrating on long prior to the sydney olympics (lessing defected back though)
The British Elites are slected into the programme on swim and run times only and do not take into consideration the bike splits. The previous format which was used in the commonwelth games worked however people didn't like it as it was not compelling veiwing and requires a single lap as apposed to the current multi lap event.
I'm with Sags and Turbo on this one. The ladies race in particular was very dull to watch even though I think Snowsill is a great athlete. A TT format would really let us discover who the best triathlete is.
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