Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How do time trials work in bicycle racing?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
cycling
Individual Neutral Athlete Gleb Syritsa, a Russian passport holder, cycling past Les Invalides during the men's road cycling individual time trial at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
In bicycle racing, a time trial is a competition often referred to as a "race against the watch." Unlike standard road races where all participants start simultaneously, cyclists or teams are sent out at set intervals to cover a specific distance. The winner is the contestant who completes the course in the fastest time.12
Individual and Team Formats
- Individual Time Trials: Riders compete alone and are widely separated. Cooperative tactics, such as drafting or pacing, are strictly forbidden.1
- Team Time Trials: Teams of two to four riders may pace and assist one another. For two-person teams, the time is recorded when the second rider crosses the finish line; for three- or four-person teams, the time is taken on the third rider.1
Time trials are frequently featured as specific stages within longer, multi-day road race events, such as the Tour de France, where they test a rider's ability to perform independently against the clock.12