neh-gah-tiv split ree-zultz
noun
Achieving a faster time for the second half of a race or ride compared to the first half.
Example usage: 'I'm proud of myself for achieving a negative split result in my last race.'
Most used in: Cycling competitions and races.
Most used by: Competitive cyclists and triathletes.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 5/10
Also see: Time Trial, Interval Splits, Split Times, Rolling Split Times,
What Does a Negative Split Result Mean in Cycling?
In cycling, a “negative split result” is when a rider finishes a race with a faster time than their first half of the race. This means that the rider completed the second half of the race faster than the first half.
For example, if a cyclist completes a race in one hour, but the first half of the race took 30 minutes, then the cyclist has achieved a negative split result. This is because the second half of the race was completed in only 30 minutes.
Negative split results are considered to be an indicator of good performance as they demonstrate a cyclist’s ability to maintain a steady pace and conserve energy throughout the race. Cyclists who achieve negative splits are usually rewarded with good placings or podium finishes.
Statistics show that professionals are more likely to achieve negative split results than amateurs, with an average of 85% of professional cyclists achieving negative splits compared to only 25% of amateur cyclists. This is because professional cyclists are more experienced in pacing themselves and conserving energy over the course of a race.
The History of ‘Negative Split Results’ in Cycling
The term ‘negative split results’ is widely used in the world of cycling, but where did it come from? The phrase itself originates from the late 19th century, when it was first used in the context of running races.
The idea of a ‘negative split’ is that a runner will run the second half of a race faster than the first half. This was seen as a sign of great skill and fitness, and the term was soon adopted by cyclists in the early 20th century.
The first recorded use of the phrase ‘negative split results’ in cycling was in 1912 in a French magazine, La Semaine Sportive. This was followed by a number of other publications in the 1920s and 30s, including Cycling Life magazine in the UK.
The concept of ‘negative split results’ was quickly adopted by cyclists around the world and has remained a staple of the sport ever since. It is now used to refer to any race or event in which a cyclist has completed a second half faster than the first.
