TT Battle: Can A Novice Triathlete Fend Off A Pro? | Beginner vs Amateur vs Pro: Bike Edition

Just how fast is a Professional Triathlete on a bike? Our beginner triathlete, Natasha, is about to find out as she takes on Kat Matthews, a full-time Army Triathlete with multiple Ironman podiums to her name, and Heather in a 10km Time Trial! In the second leg of our Beginner vs Amateur vs Pro Triathlon, we discover how much more power a professional triathlete actually puts out!
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📹 Beginner vs Amateur vs Pro: Swimming Edition 👉 gtn.io/VsTheProsSwim
📹 7 Things You're Not Doing To Ride Fast 👉 gtn.io/RideFast
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[@snapsbyfaust]

It’s really cool to hear Kat talking while riding. World championship level athlete, but showing us the grind and thought process. If we’re hurting, they’re hurting too, obviously at a significantly higher threshold. Also love that Speedmax!

[@rogger55]

totally agree

[@evanmacdougall9715]

Definitely. Loved hearing all the things she was telling herself the whole time. "Back in the drops." "Don't be lazy". etc, etc. Almost the best part of the video!

[@annybear3]

A follow-up I would love to hear answered is if Kat does that self-talk in races or if this was something she did for the camera... So fascinating.

[@katrinamatthews5837]

That's normal for me I think! Adrenaline skews perspective a bit I think!

[@zzz181085]

@@katrinamatthews5837 awesome

[@drexeldragon1723]

When Heather includes "rim brakes" as part of her criteria for "entry level" 😭

[@katierobinson5464]

Lol, rim brakes and a full carbon frame!

[@syncmaster173]

Can’t wait for part 3, well done all! Always great to see Kat on the channel, it was very interesting to hear her perspective and strategy while on the bike.

[@MrJhockley]

Still confused over the amateur thing. Heather won the European triathlon sprint championships.

[@3WalkingPoles]

If she hasn't got a pro licence, she's amatour. She may be good amateur but it does nor make her pro.

[@drmrboss]

She retired in 2014. So she is officially amateur.

[@katewalsh9193]

The European Championship was an age group event, not pro. I agree that a former Olympic medalist is probably not representative of most amateurs though!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Yes I did but only in my age group. I have never been close to a pro in a race and therefore am an age group athlete.

[@MrJhockley]

I see. I stand corrected. Thanks all. Keep the fun content coming.

[@zekevfab]

Incredible to see the adrenaline and intensity of Kat on the bike, coaching to herself all the way through… Really eye opening! Looks like a great way to stay focused on the task at hand and not have the mind drift. Very inspiring!

[@davidmonaghan729]

I love these videos... It just goes to show how amazingly fast the pros are... Average speed 40kmph 😱

[@joshp7059]

Kat Matthews has been featured on a number of GTN videos and she did some great interviews in conjunction with the Collins Cup. I always thought that Kat was a brilliant athlete but to hear her internal monologue on the bike showed why Kat is getting the results she does. Talk about pushing hard and not giving yourself an inch to slacken off. Serious respect to such a great athlete.

[@erictravis5995]

Kat is such a gracious person. I had the pleasure of recently meeting her at the 70.3 WCs and unfortunately didn’t recognize her originally - I’m older and horrible with names ;) I’m also a military athlete (Canadian Air Force) so I wish that I had known more about her prior to our encounter as it would have been interesting to chat with her about her transition from military physio to pro triathlete. Anyway, really enjoying these videos :)

[@katrinamatthews5837]

Thanks Eric! See you in May!

[@ricecrash5225]

I am so glad I watched this, mainly for my understanding of my wife’s trepidation’s on a bike. Hearing your experiences gave me a better understanding as to why she may find riding intimidating. Hopefully time and patience will overcome these fears. That and a patient husband !!

[@heatherfell_oly]

Time is key when it comes to bike confidence.

[@ElidioMarquina]

For me, very interesting listening the continuous Kat gear changes. Something to had in mind.

[@ldburn]

Natasha did really well knowing she's not a big fan of being on the bike :) Also love the new GTN kit!

[@quinnlb4412]

Love this series! I would also love to see a video of pros using beginner kit, or just budget kit and see how that affects their time and triathlon experience. I think it would give me an idea of how much benefit the kit is giving the pros and a better idea as to when I should upgrade. Thanks!

[@livinginsyn4814]

I feel like we got to hear Kat's inner monologue during an entire race

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Love the matching tyres and bar tape

[@gabedellar588]

Please can someone help Natasha put the saddle up

[@robertphilip6649]

I can feel Natasha's experience... we ride the same way when i started doing triathlon 😄

[@stefangjevre-karlsen1745]

Umm, you guys should have given some bikefit tips before starting. Such a low seat post for our beginner…

[@localdmc]

Great video, would be good to see watts/kilo on the graphic to demonstrate the aero and power difference. 281w is super strong! 💪🏻

[@NewbeYAHtheVFG]

That was marvelous! I was nervous when the rain began! I remember being in the rain for a part of my Oly Tri, and I'll never forget the sound of cyclist crashing as their bicycle wheels slipped while on the bridge we were riding over! Great times. Love all the bikes 💗

[@SBoots29]

Nice to see this kind of video. 40K? I can only dream

[@reecedrystek2992]

I think one thing not addressed is the mindset. That time and experience in the sufferzone really highlight the difference between beginner to pro.

[@garycass573]

Amazing insight to hear Kat on the bike :D

[@annybear3]

Totally.

[@neil319]

Super impressive ride from Kat and she comes across as very cool.

[@SubtleForces]

Could the Wattage be used to forecast the result and what can Natasha do to increase her wattage and narrow the gap?

[@markwithers7730]

Great series, however as equipment plays such a big part in the bike, can’t understand why everyone isn’t on the same equipment, 3 entry level bikes win same helmets, kit etc wouldn’t have been hard to do and a fairer test

[@andersonchristiana]

I feel like some additional descriptions are needed for each Pro (top 10 PTO ranked pro) vs Amateur (previous Olympian, Close to sub 10 IM) vs Beginner (experienced swimmer, limited bike background) It is interesting to see the differences in each discipline. The disparity in the swim was not nearly as much as on the bike. All 3 were competent swimmers which made the differences be not that bad but you could definitely see a significant difference on the bike with a world class pro (on a dialed in setup).

[@CyprusPete]

Love you Natasha, regards from Petros in Cyprus !!! I actually know Natasha, what she didn’t tell you is that she can also play tennis 🎾 She’s a great athlete, I’m due to play tennis tomorrow with her parents Garry and Teresa who are also very sporty… Loved the videos of the three disciplines and YES would love to see the three of compete in the same competition ! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK GIRLS

[@andyclark8991]

Love the cool awesome video it’s way cool

[@foophonic]

yes the bike fit sucks, but she is a beginner. A lot of beginners have borrowed / second hand bikes they've just about got confident in being able to start, stop and not fall off. Setting the bike up comes later.

[@markmm29]

Finally some sense 👏😂

[@Ali_Kurt]

"It's a full carbon frame Specialized ruby with Shimano 105 groupset, it's pretty much an *Entry level bike*.." Okay.. Well, I guess most of us are riding on toys :D

[@andyclark8991]

Kat was super super quick on her bike, Owww Kat going super quick, boy ow boy she went quick.

[@TomKroupa80]

Seems we have the same ambitions with Heather:-)

[@86mrnelson]

The color of the results page makes it very difficult to actually read the results

[@MegaMagicbeans]

Where are the outtakes of Heather swearing about being cold when the rain hit, they must exist :)

[@heatherfell_oly]

Ha, luckily I wasn't in range of the mic at that time ;0

[@kingofcrunk4237]

Heather is so beautiful ... and this was a great video, GTN.

[@leeomurchu1213]

The beginner was set for a fall from the outset, saddle was to low. I won't even talk about the bike differences 🙈

[@markmm29]

That’s part of the difference though. As in that’s exactly what they are showing. Or else just do it on a watt bike?!

[@leeomurchu1213]

@@markmm29 Ah I get the idea but at least give the amateur a bike that fits. 🤷‍♂️

[@charlesedward9357]

Could Kat Matthews share a top line of her progression in the last 6 years? Her attitude and smiles are infectious but I wonder if thats born of having amazing physiology and the success? The nature/nurture debate rolls on...but I think with her attitude she could do anything :-)

[@dre78]

Net time all three on a standard dutch bike with back pedal brakes and no gears. Should be fun to watch. Allthough Kat will be way faster on that one too.

[@heatherfell_oly]

We'd still be very much in the same order.

[@decoyr6122]

Natasha needs a bike fit! she will enjoy cycling a lot more after that

[@hdi53]

Natasha should have pulled a Matt Stephens, got an uber and met the girls at the cafe for the win, lol

[@MrSpecialized75]

You can always pick the amateur... it's the person who doesn't ensure their sponsors are visible.... long air over logos.🤣🤣

[@JohnDoe-xx4ig]

Why is Heather an amateur? Shes an olympian with multiple gold medals 😄

[@heatherfell_oly]

I am still an amateur, the pro's are another level far above me.

[@nicschne]

Was this a hilly course? 40kph on 280 watts isn’t very aero in general

[@CeriseValkyrie]

281W and 40km/hr? That’s quite a lot of headwinds

[@timvanmonero2720]

63W more translated into +6.5km/h, talk about beeing aero af

[@katrinamatthews5837]

Power meters vary remember :) but yes, I work very hard on getting aero during the bike (you might have heard my muttering ;))

[@timvanmonero2720]

@@katrinamatthews5837 even tho with standard 2% off for powermeters, you somehow "only" pushed between 50 and 90 Watts more which still made you 6.5 faster due to you being very optimized on the bike. i find this very impressive. i'm adipositas level 300 and my drag is through the roof. when i push 280Watts i'm somewhere in the 35 km/h region. i'm insanely jealous on "aero" people. step by step i guess, sooner or later i'll be there aswell.

[@ai314159]

According to bike calculator, the power difference should have translated into a two-minute difference in times, not 3 minutes, so 2/3 power, 1/3 aero.

[@KwadSkwad]

that doesn't take into account weight. you have to normalize power/weight in order to compare directly. raw power numbers compared between different riders is not useful.

[@timvanmonero2720]

@@KwadSkwad yes, we're aware. yet they are same weight.

[@NathanHeaver]

would be interesting if they switched bikes

[@andrewthornton6192]

I bet a pro once……they had two flats and I was in a car……..it was close mind

[@stevebzz839]

How did the amateur be allowed to ride the rouby without giving her some help to have at least a half decent fit..looks like her seat was much too low?

[@sarahgerk]

She might have just been more comfortable and felt safer like that. It's weird to extend your legs fully at first for some people.

[@heatherfell_oly]

@@sarahgerk Spot on Sarah. It's a confidence thing too.

[@sarahgerk]

@@heatherfell_oly Ooooo Heather answered! I'm totally stanning right now :)

[@arod175]

Is Heather really trying for a sub 10hr Ironman? If so is she gonna start posting training videos?

[@heatherfell_oly]

Well it's a bit of a pipe dream, not sure I'm ready to train properely.

[@rohanscaysbrook3364]

Can a Amateur or Pro help a beginner with a bike fit. Is it just me or is Natasha's seat way to low?

[@heatherfell_oly]

Natasha has taken a while getting confident clipping in so the low saddle has helped. It might be time to raise it slightly now.

[@rohanscaysbrook3364]

I can understand that nervousness of starting out on clipless. Keep up the great videos. 👍

[@TheSamwhyte]

Eh… Heather as an amateur??? A former pro is not the same as an amateur! Calling Heather an amateur is (arguably) demoralising for genuine amateurs as it sets a performance bar that is unattainable.

[@heatherfell_oly]

I have never been a pro and sadly never will be but I'll take it as a compliment that you thought I was.

[@TheSamwhyte]

@@heatherfell_oly Eh? You’ve never been a pro?! You don’t mean to say you’re GTN’s Ollie Bridgewood!? I thought you were a total (ex)pro! In that case, fair play for just being a natural beast - and commiserations for not getting the chance to flex on the podium!

[@JamesSmith-vz8yr]

Who can cook the best Sunday roast?

[@katrinamatthews5837]

I vote Heather, Natasha and I are happy to taste test and let you know.

[@heatherfell_oly]

I reckon a bake off could be a good winter version!

[@TheSeanJohnston]

They all should have ridden the same bike to be honest (brand and model set up accordingly). The bikes in a TT make a huge difference and a old road bike with no TT bars and mechanical gears will obviously be a disadvantage.

[@markmm29]

This is a big difference between Pros and Beginners though…that’s the point of the video?! Or else just use a watt bike. Fairly sure Natasha would hated riding Kats bike too!

[@TheSeanJohnston]

@@markmm29 her bike is custom made. They all could have used a standard Speedmax and then compared times and power output. It’s like asking an amateur car driver in an old Ford to do a lap time against a pro in a Mustang.

[@heatherfell_oly]

@@TheSeanJohnston I can assure you the gaps would have changed very little despite equipment. Being comfortable and confident on your bike is so important.

[@TheSeanJohnston]

@@heatherfell_oly Not for the novice. Just riding in an aero position would have shaved off a few minutes, which is a true reflection of the time difference compared to a amateur and pro. This is an experiment so make it a fair comparison based on what I suggested. Remove all the aero gains that the pro uses with her bike so level the playing field and compare times.

[@iberiksoderblom]

Bikefit. Natacha was left on her own with that... Not fair !

[@sbsb4995]

Why would you put a beginner on the clip in pedals??? Flat pedals are more efficient.

[@myPPPLab]

novice rider - saddle way too low.

[@RoScFan]

The fuck?!?!?! Is that a typo? 91 watts?!?! average? At the end there at the results... i know that is the "beginner" but at 91 watts that s... gotta to be a typo because i think under 100 watts you cant even move the bike let alone average 24 kph!