The bike at Venice-Jesolo: 90 flat kilometers where the wind decides everything

What the course looks like

One single 90 km loop. Sources agree on one point: flat, fast, straight. Finishers lists roughly 89 meters of total elevation gain — basically zero. You head out of Jesolo, ride through lagoon scenery and along the Cavallino coastline, cross the pontoon bridge at Cortellazzo and pass through the canals of Eraclea. The return to Jesolo is on the same roads as the way out.

That detail is the most important one of the whole bike leg: if you're flying on the way out, you probably have a tailwind. And on the way back that wind hits you head-on, in the second half, right when your legs start to feel it. The course described refers to recent editions: check the official 2027 map before locking in the details of your plan.

The wind is your climb

On a course with no climbs there are no ramps to break up the rhythm — but there is wind. This is the Adriatic coast in late April: spring there is unpredictable and wind is a real possibility, not an exception. On flat roads, wind is the difference between a PR day and a day of suffering.

The classic mistake goes like this: tailwind section, high speed, euphoria, and power creeps above target "because we're flying anyway." Then the headwind straight arrives and you pay the bill twice: on the bike and in the first miles of the run.

Pacing: steady power, not steady speed

There's one rule here: ride at constant power (or constant perceived effort), not constant speed. With a tailwind, accept "saving" energy and hold your target power even if the speedometer says you could push harder. Into the headwind, resist the temptation to force it to protect your average. The average takes care of itself if the effort is even.

If you use a power meter, set a half-distance target you know you can hold for 90 km without wrecking the run, and treat it as a ceiling in the fast sections. If you ride by feel, ask yourself every 15 minutes: "could I hold this effort for another two hours and then run?" If the answer is no, back off immediately.

The aero position is a workout

On long flat straights, holding an aerodynamic position for a long time is worth more than any component. But staying on the aerobars for nearly three hours is trainable: if you come out of position every ten minutes in training, you'll do the same on race day, and every time you sit up it costs seconds and watts.

Between now and the race, schedule long rides entirely in the aero position at constant power: there are no climbs giving you an excuse to sit up. Work on your neck, shoulders and core too — they're the first to give out.

What to do now

• Plan 3-4 long rides (2h30'-3h) in the aero position at race power, on flat and ideally windy routes.
• Do at least one simulation with a "simulated" tailwind first half: keep the handbrake on your power and see how you respond into the headwind in the second half.
• Test all your race nutrition on those rides: on flat courses you're always pedaling, and eating in aero takes practice.
• Decide your ceiling power before the race and write it on your handlebars: on race day, euphoria is a bad advisor.

Do these things and the 90 km at Jesolo become what they promise: a fast bike leg that hands you off to the run with your legs still fresh.