Jesse Bartholomew, CycleOps Power Product Manager, recently traveled to Girona, Spain to work with Team Garmin-Slipstream at their Team Time Trial camp. Team time trialing is one of Team Garmin’s greatest strengths, but like any forte, it takes focused preparation and methodical training to achieve and maintain greatness.

In this audio, Jesse B. shares the steps the Team Garmin athletes have taken to prepare for the Team Time Trial at the 2009 Giro d’Italia. The PowerTap plays a key role in their training. Allen Lim, PhD. uses power numbers to determine optimal rider order so no one rider gets over-worked. They also use a simple wattage/speed test to determine the best combination of equipment to ensure proper aerodynamics on the road. Jesse B. describes this interval test in detail, and gives a personal account of his time spent with Team Garmin.

Listen to the podcast.

Find out which riders will compose Team Garmin's 2009 Giro d'Italia squad.

Aero work at the service course.

Ryder Hesjedal tests different TT positions with 465 watt kilo repeats.

Full TTT simulation: Warm ups, ice vests, trainers, race kit.

Trainer warm up—30 minutes before go time.

Team time trial effort.