Dynamic optimization of formation and pace in a cycling team time trial considering effects of drafting and cyclists’ fatigue and recovery

Abstract

This paper proposes a dynamic formation optimization approach to cycling team time trials, taking into account road elevation, drafting effects, and fatigue and recovery of the cyclists. Dynamic models of fatigue and recovery are those proposed in authors’ earlier work and calibrated using human subject data. The formation optimization problem is first solved for a team of two cyclists, with insights then used to formulate the problem for the more complex and general n-cyclist case. A mixed-integer nonlinear program formulation is proposed to determine the optimal position rotation strategy in addition to optimal power and velocity trajectory of the platoon. Simulation results show improved time compared to a baseline strategy that is popular among cycling teams.