I don't get this. My understanding is the test of metal is a gravel road and questionable single track race for roadies. If powerhouse plunge is a sampling of the "downhills", well meh. So, one should expect it is going to be a pedal fest and that you will be bottlenecked on any descents by people who are potentially walking their bikes downhill.
Granted, there are always people who excel at the entire race but unless you can get behind those people and stay with them, you likely won't have a clear shot on any of the descents.
My 2cents (coming from someone who has never actually done the race but only heard countless horror stories from dh friends.)
accurate description….frankly, the answer is always get faster at the climbing, it really does work! that, and do the test once and never again because of situation described above. Never really thought that race deserved the praise, pretty average overall imo, but the roadies love it……. :devil: