What happens when one rider catches another in a time trial?
I · Intermediate · Time trials · 3 of 6The caught rider may not use the other's slipstream. The rider coming past must leave at least 2 metres to the side. After one kilometre the rider who was caught must be at least 25 metres away. The team cars have their own distances so that they give no shelter either.
How it works
- The caught rider: "may neither lead nor follow in the slipstream of the rider who caught up".
- The pass: the catching rider "shall leave a lateral gap of at least 2 metres".
- After a kilometre: "the rider caught up shall ride at least 25 m away from the other".
- Enforced: a commissaire can order the riders to open the gaps, and penalties from the table of race incidents may follow.
- The following car: at least 25 metres behind its rider, never alongside and never in front.
- A rider about to be caught: once the gap is under 100 metres, their car drops back behind the catching rider's car.
- The catching rider's car: may move in between the two riders only when they are at least 50 metres apart.
- Repairs: only with the rider and the car stationary.
- Megaphones: may be used from the car.
The glossary has the time trial, draft and the commissaires panel.
Tricky cases
A caught rider speeds up and passes the other again. Is that allowed?
Yes, if they do it without using the slipstream. They may not lead the other rider or follow in the slipstream, and after a kilometre they must be 25 metres clear.
Can the caught rider sit 10 metres behind to pace themselves?
No. After one kilometre they must ride at least 25 metres away.
Can a team car drive beside its rider to shout encouragement?
No. The car stays at least 25 metres behind and may never draw level. A megaphone may be used from there.
Do the same rules apply to teams in a team time trial?
Yes, with the same 2 metre and 25 metre gaps. The following car stays at least 10 metres behind the last rider.
Why the rule exists
A time trial measures a rider alone, and sitting a bike length behind another rider can save a large share of the effort. The distances are there to make sure that being caught, which is already bad news, cannot be turned into a tow.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Individual time trial | Car 25 metres behind | UCI 2.4.023 |
| Team time trial | Car 10 metres behind the last rider. Dropped riders may not join another team | UCI 2.5.015; UCI 2.5.021 |
| Road race | Slipstreaming other riders is the normal way to race | UCI Part 2, chapter III |
From the rule book
Union Cycliste Internationale, Cycling Regulations, Part 2: Road Races (2026 edition, amendments to 1 July 2026), articles 2.4.017 to 2.4.029, 2.5.015 to 2.5.017 and 2.5.021. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: UCI Cycling Regulations, Part 2 (PDF).