The time trial, one of the most anticipated moments in competitive cycling, combines technique, strategy, and endurance in an individual battle against the clock. This discipline has defined the history of the Tour de France, being key for the great names of cycling to shine in the world’s most prestigious race. Fans of road bikes find in this discipline the pure essence of individual effort, where every pedal stroke counts to make a difference on the stopwatch.

Since its inclusion in the Tour de France in 1934, the individual battle against the clock has shaped much of the editions of the carrera, distinguishing many of its champions, from Coppi to Induráin, as well as Anquetil, Merckx, or Hinault. Its history, with British roots and a clear origin in the legendary Grand Prix des Nations, speaks to us of the specific weight that time trials have had in the Tour de France, which has found in them some of the most memorable episodes of its centennial journey. The time trial has historically been the most decisive specialty of the Tour de France along with the great mountain, establishing itself as the ideal counterbalance so that the strongest riders can offset time losses in the climbs, and even tip the scales in their favor compared to the climbers. It is a discipline that, despite losing some weight in the latest editions of the Grand Tours, continues to be essential when designing the routes, whether it is an individual time trial (ITT), or a team time trial (TTT).

The individual time trial is the most widespread discipline throughout the editions of the Tour and, as its name suggests, the epitome of individual battle, as it is one of the best ways to measure each rider’s strength, if not the best: the cyclists start one by one, separated by time intervals that are predetermined based on the distance to be covered—the more kilometers, the more time between the riders’ starts—and in reverse order to the general classification. Thus, the leader of the carrera will be the last to start, the second in the classification will start second to last, and so on. As the absence of references to other riders is prioritized, the organization expressly states that when one rider catches up to another—or laps them, in cycling jargon—the overtaken rider cannot draft behind and must ride parallel so as not to benefit from their slipstream.

Throughout its history, the Tour has implemented time trial sub-modalities, such as the mountain time trial, which is shorter and finishes on a mountain pass.

The time spent by each rider in the time trial will be added to the general classification in the same way as in road stages, although this approach changes in the team event, where the team's time is not set by the first cyclist to cross the finish line, but by the third, fourth, or even fifth rider, depending on the number of members allowed by the organization in each carrera. As a general rule, the team's time will always be set by an intermediate cyclist, which in races with teams of nine riders would be the fifth. The aim is to prioritize collective performance over the abilities of the specialist that each team may have. Throughout its history, the Tour de France has implemented what we could call sub-modalities within the individual time trial. One of these is the mountain time trial, that is, a time trial that includes a mountain finish and generally has a shorter distance than a conventional flat time trial.

The time trial: moments that shaped the history of the Tour de France

The time trial has been one of the most iconic and decisive elements in the history of the Tour de France. Since its first appearance in 1934, this individual modality has defined great champions and created some of cycling's most memorable moments. Beyond being a test of physical endurance, it represents the ultimate expression of the race against the clock, a technical and strategic challenge in which every pedal stroke counts.

The prologue format: the urban spectacle of the time trial

Among the most exciting variants of this discipline is the prologue, a short time trial of less than 10 kilometers that is usually held in urban settings. This format, which officially debuted in the 1969 Tour de France with a 10.4 km route through Roubaix, is ideal for marking the start of a stage race. Unlike conventional time trials, there is no time cut in prologues, allowing cyclists to rejoin the carrera the following day in case of setbacks. This modality stands out for the importance of aerodynamics and precision, elements that fans of road bikes value highly.

Origin of the time trial: from Great Britain to France

The origins of the time trial date back to late 19th-century Great Britain, during the Industrial Revolution. Initially designed as a solution to regulate races on crowded streets, this discipline crossed the English Channel and found its place in the Grand Prix des Nations in 1932, considered the unofficial ""World Championship"" of the specialty. This format laid the foundation for the first time trials in the Tour de France, where the design of road bikes played a crucial role in maximizing performance.

The great legends: Coppi, Anquetil and Induráin

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Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, and Miguel Induráin made milestones in the history of the time trial. Coppi, known as "Il Campionissimo," dazzled in his triumphant 1949 Tour with resounding victories in timed stages. Anquetil, for his part, cemented his five Tour victories thanks to his dominance in this discipline, winning nine out of the ten time trials he contested between 1961 and 1964. Finally, Miguel Induráin established himself as one of the greatest time trial specialists in the modern era, with legendary performances such as those in Luxembourg in 1992 and Bergerac in 1994, where his skill and technique on the bike were unmatched.

The technological revolution: LeMond and advances in aerodynamics

The time trial has also been a field of technological innovation. Greg LeMond marked a turning point in 1989 by using an aerodynamic handlebar and a triathlon helmet for the first time in a time trial stage, revolutionizing the specialty and setting a standard that endures to this day. These innovations not only improved speed, but also highlighted the importance of optimizing every component of road bikes to maximize performance.

Unforgettable time trials in the Tour de France

From the flight of Federico Martín Bahamontes on the Puy de Dôme to the impressive victory of Rohan Dennis in Utrecht in 2015, time trials have left an indelible mark on the Tour. Each of these stages stands out not only for the individual effort of the cyclists, but also for the technical and strategic evolution that has taken road bikes to a superior level.

Exploring the history of the time trial is to understand how this discipline has shaped cycling and the Grande Boucle. If you are a lover of great feats on two wheels, the Tour time trials are an essential chapter that reflects the essence of this sport.