POINTS 2024/5:

DISCIPLINES

Individual Time Trial (ITT)

The ITT is a race against the clock. You will complete multiple laps of a closed circuit, with the rank order decided on time. You need to keep count of your own laps, or get a friend or family member to help you! The times from the ITT are used to assist Cycling Victoria in grading riders for future events.

Team Time Trial (TTT)

The TTT is also a race against the clock, but with four riders in each team. The clock starts when all four riders begin, and the clock stops when the wheel of the third rider crosses the line. As aerodynamic drag savings are made when riders ride in close formation, the best times are set when teams stay together and work in rotation. 

Teams will complete multiple laps of a closed circuit. The team are responsible for keeping count of their own laps, and it is helpful to get a friend or family member to help with this! 

The video gives some advice for how to work together in a TTT.

Criterium

Criterium events will be a mass start, separated by grade and gender. They run for a fixed amount of time (e.g. 25 minutes) at which point a bell is rung. There are then two laps remaining, and the winner is the first rider to cross the line. Points are awarded for places from 1st to 20th, so every place counts!

In a similar vein to stage races (like the Tour de France), riders may 'attack' early, and try to catch others off guard. Or riders may opt to keep their noses out of the wind and save their efforts for later in the race. 

There is also a team element to criterium races, so riders who work together as a team will have the greatest chance of success.