It was Samoa’s first ever individual time trial to find the fastest cyclists in Samoa and history was created as Alethea Schwalger set the first national record for the Women's 10km.

11 cyclists competed in the 10km and 20km races held last Saturday, organised by the Bike Samoa Federation.

“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,” explained Vice-President Darren Young.

“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 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. Darren Young, fresh from doing the Taupo Ironman one week ago, proved too strong for the Collins father and son duo, finishing with a time of 30 minutes and 54 seconds.

Few women in Samoa can take on this distance and Manamea Schwalger is the inspiration for others with her time of 43 minutes and 2 seconds.

BSF President Philip Moore explained: “What they’re doing out there is very difficult because there are 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.”

According to organisers, the feedback from Samoa’s first-ever cycling time trial was positive.

The time trial will be a regular event for Bike Samoa.