PowerUp Tri Podcast Episode 8: Tim Don

The PowerUp Tri Podcast is hosted by former pro triathletes Matt Lieto and Jordan Rapp, who lend their in-depth knowledge of the multisport to the Zwift Tri audience.

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This week Jordan an I had the chance to steal away Tim Don from the Zwift Academy Tri camp in Morgan Hill for a quick chat. Tim gave us an insider’s look at what the team and this very special camp were all about.

Thousands of athletes applied for the team and were narrowed down to an elite group of 8. These athletes are from all around the world and this was the first opportunity for them all to get together and really become a team.

These triathletes are now a part of the best-supported triathlon team in the world and Tim gave us a little insight into some of the perks that come with that. One of the huge incentives is not only a sweet new Shiv Disc triathlon bike from Specialized, but the ability to have all the resources of the innovative company at hand. With the camp being in Morgan Hill the athletes had the opportunity to go into the “Win Tunnel” (Specialized’s wind tunnel) to test their aerodynamic position and make the appropriate changes to improve their efficiency.

The athletes were able to combine their Win Tunnel experience with a Retul bike fit that puts the athlete in the best position for each individual considering their biomechanic restrictions and comfort preferences. They didn’t stop there, though, and each athlete went through metabolic testing that gave them info on what fit was more metabolically efficient for them.

Tim explains the benefit of this testing: “I think lots of them have this idea of lower is better aerodynamically and whatnot, but doing the metabolic testing where they’re testing the athletes in various positions and the energy needed to ride there shows them the best overall position factoring in both aero and metabolic efficiency.”

Of course, the personalities of the athletes shined in this camp and Tim couldn’t be more stoked with the blend of people on the team. “It was a big range, but you know, by the end, everyone had their role. (One) is the joker, (one) is the mom, (one) is the person who is always on time, (one is) the person who’s always late.” By the end of the week, it was like one big, very fast, family!

We were able to pick Tim’s brain on lots of other topics as well. We took the opportunity to ask about the new 19-year-old talent rocking the boat in Britain’s ITU program, Alex Yee. “He’s a sneaker for podium in Tokyo and you know, you could certainly see him win in Paris.”

We also touch on Tim’s experience with the Kona qualifications this year and racing in the oppressive heat of Vietnam.  We even got a Robin Williams impersonation from Tim! Tim truly is one of the funniest people in triathlon, so hang on for the good times!

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