By Sally McLean
FOUR riders from the Redlands Cycling and Multisport Club (RCMC) recently put their skills to the test in Round 2 of the AusCycling Individual Time Trial (ITT) Series, held at the Nundah Criterium Track in Brisbane.
The club saw standout performances from Kelly Phuah, who claimed first place in the Ladies B Grade category, and Chris Hill, who took out the top spot in Men’s D Grade.
Teammates Sally McLean and Julie Rappo also delivered strong rides, finishing in the top 10 in the competitive Ladies C Grade division.
Time trials are considered the “race of truth” in cycling, with riders starting at one-minute intervals to battle the clock rather than each other.
Unlike road races, there’s no drafting – it’s just each athlete, their bike, and the stopwatch.
Competitors typically ride on purpose-built time trial bikes designed for speed and aerodynamics.
These feature aero frames, low-position aero bars, and deep-section or disc wheels to reduce drag.
However, strong crosswinds can make these bikes particularly challenging to handle.
While many time trials are held on quiet country roads under special permits, events like the Nundah round make use of closed criterium circuits to provide a safe and controlled racing environment.
