The Bike Leg at 70.3 Omaha: Constant Rollers with a Net Downhill

The Big Picture

90 km point-to-point: you leave T1 at Lake Cunningham and arrive at T2 at Miller's Landing, in downtown Omaha near the Missouri River. The official page lists 874 m of elevation gain; the course PDF map says 890 m. The sources differ slightly: work with a range of 870-890 m and don't obsess over the exact number. The start sits at 1,161 feet of elevation, the finish at 984: net elevation is about 54 meters downhill. Don't be fooled, though: the profile is constant rollers, with punchy but short climbs and fast descents. The course gives something back, but it hides it inside the ups and downs.

Where You Ride

You cross the farmland of Douglas County on wide, open rural roads, then head back toward Omaha via Highway 36, State St, 30th St and Florence Blvd, in the north of the city. Detailed data on individual climbs isn't available: this is the race's very first edition (June 2026) and race reports are still scarce. What we know from official sources is the character of the course: no long climbs, lots of surges.

The Wind: The Real Wild Card

Wide, open roads in Nebraska mean wind exposure. There are no reliable indices for this race: the available assessments are cautious opinions, not historical data. Prepare as if the wind will be there: a solid aero position you can hold even when tired, bottles secured properly, and a power plan that doesn't blow up at the first headwind section.

How to Manage Your Power

Constant rollers are the classic terrain where age-groupers burn their run. The rule is simple: steady power on the climbs, surge over the top, never spike. Set a power cap for the short climbs (roughly no more than 110-115% of your race target, calibrated to your own testing) and stick to it even when people pass you. On the descents, pedal as long as it pays off, then tuck in and recover. Fast descents on wide roads are a gift: take it without taking risks.

Benchmark Times

Unofficial, ballpark estimates range from 2:20 for a top age-grouper to 3:20 for a relaxed finisher, with 2:35 and 2:55 as intermediate targets. Use them to size your strategy, not as gospel: in a first edition there's no real race data.

Gear and Aid Stations

With this profile you don't need mountain gearing: a compact or mid-compact crankset with a cassette up to 30 covers everything. At the aid stations you'll find Maurten gels and solids plus PH 1000 electrolyte drink: if you've never used them, test them in training or carry your own proven products on the frame.

What to Do Now

Three concrete actions. First: in the final eight weeks, schedule at least three long rides on rolling terrain, practicing the surges over the top of climbs. Second: do an aero position test on open road in the wind, to see how well your position holds up under fatigue. Third: lock in your numbers now, target power and climb cap, and test them in a race simulation with a brick run at the end. Show up in Omaha with a written plan: on a course nobody really knows, discipline on your numbers is worth more than course knowledge.