Bike Samoa set up time trials to prepare cyclists for overseas competitions

Bike Samoa Federation (BSF) will be holding regular time trials as the work towards developing and preparing athletes who can compete at regional or international events.

Vice-president Darren Young said the first trial was held last weekend in Apia with cyclists who participated recording good results.

Eleven cyclists raced in Samoa's first ever individual time trial, setting national records for both men and women in the 10 kilometres and 20km distances.

"It was good to do a time trial so we can see where everyone is at, really get an accurate measure, and see what we each need to work on," Young said.

"It's something new for all of us to get out there and race individually, push yourself and chase the time, no help from drafting off anyone else. Just you and the bike and the road."

The 10km saw two men and three women test themselves on the three-lap course at Mulinu'u.

Pitapola Ioane captured the men's title with a time of 20 minutes and 19 seconds, while Alethea Schwalger fought hard for the women's title, winning with a time of 23 minutes and 42 seconds.

In the 20km, five men and one woman battled the rain and wind to do six laps of the course.

Young, an athlete himself, proved too strong for the other competitors, finishing with a time of 30 minutes and 54 seconds.

In the women's division, Manamea Schwalger finished with a time of 43 minutes and 2 seconds.

Young said the Mulinu'u course is particularly challenging when chasing a fast time as a time trial course would be either a straight course or a single continuous loop.

BSF president Philip Moore said the course was set up as a challenge for the participants.

"What they're doing out there is very difficult because there's two roundabouts, one at each end - so they build up speed and then they have to slow down to take the turn, and build up momentum again.

"Their flow is interrupted and that makes it much harder work," he added.