Not going to say which race it is to protect rider identity, but for the second week in a row a handbike rider with an apparent FTP of 445w (!!!) has been causing absolute mayhem in an otherwise competitive race.
‘He’ flies off the front from the very back, drags everyone along with him, dropping riders at the back, then retreats to the rear, before repeating a few minutes later. He then wins at the end.
You get less of a draft off him and he causes mayhem in the bunch as no one wants to be behind him.
I love the idea of inclusivity, and massive respect if this guy is legit, but this doesn’t work.
Would it not be better to give a handbike the same drafting and aero properties as an upright bike?
It is actually not inclusive, as the effect of the presence of the 6w/kg handbiker means dozens of riders get shelled out the back.
This rider is causing a lot of frustration, is being flagged, and some even say they filed an official complaint, but it’s still happening.
update: he isn’t listed in the results now, so looks like persistent flagging paid off, but shame the race was ruined for plenty by that point.
