andydude

It's always an interesting question. Do you put them with VC or VB to get the leg and proper racing speed, but doing less in the group, or do you let them ride on their own, with much less numbers and slower time? The quality is not there, because there is just not enough elite ladies. I've heard somewhere that speed wise to compete overseas they probably have to race with VA.

Note that it looks like the starting groups have been changed quite a lot, including smaller groups, therefore the groups and times of last year might not be relevant this year. Or perhaps since people have been moved down groups, the lower down groups could go faster.

ASG - did you even read the first three posts? Please repost and use the other thread since it's already been running for a while.

I won't be surprised if they appeal the judgement. Remember, at the back is Government and it's easy to appeal if it's not your own money. This goes wider than just cycling and could hit running and other sports even harder.

If you don't race VA or VB or would recommend you drop down to AL or BL. Or take the plunge and see what fun it is. You have to start somewhere.

Except if you include my DNF! Did you see me on the back of the bakkie? Hopefully I get some Strava records...

And to think, some people just want to ride and race their bikes...

But according to the judgement you won't need a CSA license for any event, except perhaps provincial and national champs?

They sent out an email on the 14th... Judgement: Pedal Power Association vs Cycling SA and SASCOC 14 February 2014 – The judgement for the case between the Pedal Power Association (PPA), Cycling South Africa and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) was handed down this morning. Her Ladyship, Justice Savage, delivered judgement in the matter of the PPA versus Cycling SA and SASCOC, which was decided in favour of the PPA. Cycling SA respect the legal process and, together with SASCOC’s legal representatives, are considering the judgement in order to chart the way forward. Cycling SA remains committed to doing what is in the best interests of our sport. The full report can be read here: http://www.cyclingsa.com/App_Resources/Uploads/FILE00003175.pdf ENDS

No crashes in VA as far as I know, but I did hit a pool... I mean big pot hole 15km from the end which punctured both my wheels. There were quite a few crashes in Elites too.

So looking forward to this after last year's race was a no-go for me after a car took my out the Friday before the event on a leg loosener ride.

There is a thread already... https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/134626-event-tour-de-boland-2014/

That's the crux of the matter! Sounds like fine. But I can see people bringing their teams to go smash it.

Haha yes, any maybe if the VM rider is gay he can also win the ladies prize?

Maybe a question for CSA - if a lady wins that group, does she then get the ladies, VA, VB, VM and A Argus prizes and jerseys?

Fixed...

I have to say this is stupid. But then, let's not forget the talent that is Louis. Only 21! I'm expecting big things from him in the future.

Yes, I edited my response, thanks. You have to set up another file. Read the last page of the https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/130053-argus-2014/page__st__464?do=findComment&comment=2211543 thread. Thanks!

It's pretty easy to check whether the seeding groups makes sense relative to the indexes used so as soon as Gary has set up the shared file and people populate it we can analyse it.

I received the following email from CSA now, but to be honest, I still don't quite understand the part underlined (by me). It might be me being tired late in the day, but can somebody please explain in simple terms? Rulings regarding U23 and Elite Road Championship Jerseys 11 February 2014 – The 2014 Time Freight SA Road Cycling Championships delivered a spectacle of racing hardly seen before in South Africa. Louis Meintjes (Team MTN-Qhubeka) just snuck past Daryl Impey (Orica GreenEdge) after 180km of gruelling racing. It was a massive disappointment to Daryl that his bike developed a mechanical in the sprint finish. Unfortunately, the prize giving was delayed by opinions regarding the result as to who should be wearing what jersey and why. Firstly, credit must go to the riders who enthralled the spectators with some fascinating racing and showed the public how brutal the sport is. Credit must go to the younger rider, Meintjes, for taking on the likes of Daryl right down to the final sprint. So what is all the controversy about? The issues raised are around the fact that Meintjes is an under-23 rider and Impey is an Elite (over the age of 23 years). Therefore, one would think that one receives the U23 jersey, the other the Elite Jersey, end of story. Not so. Here in lies the complexity of road cycling. Louis is an U23 rider, and a member of a Pro-Continental Team (Team MTN-Qhubeka), andnota UCI Pro Team. If he were part of a UCI pro-team, he would then be considered as an Ipso Facto Elite (rule 1.1.036), and would not be able to compete for the U23 national, continental or World Championship titles irrespective of his age. So why not separate the categories and have two clear champions? One then needs to take rule 2.11.014 into consideration. This rule states that should a national federation have a combined event (u23/Elite), participants will earn UCI points. If a National Federation holds a separate event for U23, no points will be provided for the event. So why are UCI points so important? To be able to field a complete 5-man team in the Olympic Games. Cycling South Africa needs to be ranked number 1 on the African Continent, as per UCI Olympic qualification criteria. Therefore, we need both our U23’s and Elites to earn as many UCI points as possible. Furthermore, in terms of qualification criteria for UCI World Championships, we also need our U23’s to earn points at our National Championships, or else we are in danger of not qualifying any riders in this category. It would have been really great to see our National Championship jersey in the Tour De France for 2014, but as Team MTN-Qhubeka were not invited to participate, the only other option was with Impey, as he is part of a UCI Pro team (Orica GreenEdge), who automatically qualify for the Tour De France. We will still see our SA Elite Championship Jersey in Europe during the 2014 season. Team MTN-Qhubeka has been invited to participate in the many of the one-day classics in Europe, on the shoulders of young Louis Meintjes when he races these for MTN-Qhubeka. As South Africans, we can all be proud of the depth of cycling talent we have – our athletes are world class. Daryl Impey’s Orica GreenEdge team has approached the UCI for clarification of the rule, as there is no definitive ruling regarding jersey distribution per se, that we can find in the rule set. As Cycling SA, we will accept any decision of the UCI, provided that the ruling is backed by clear, established rules. ENDS

Dude I think some people are right in that the groups could be quite a bit smaller and therefore everybody gets pushed out. Strangely they only used my Burger seeding (and not average of 3), but my index is 1.06 and I'm also riding VA. Maybe Gary can create another excel file where you put in your group and index and then we can do some statistical analysis. Ahem, Gary... Edit: I'm sure if you guys see the indexes and groups you'll be more relaxed. Personally I think the seeding system is quite good.

I agree. In my own experience riding VA and VB together at Gauteng Champs made life interesting, because tactically it's difficult because you don't have to chase done or cover any attacks from the category riders you're not riding in, but it's difficult to tell who's who. And if VB won the whole group he only would've won the VB cat and not both VB and VA.

Either you or I misunderstood the email. According to me they're not saying ladies, sub vets, vets and masters will start together. That is just the sequence, therefore probably % and VA together, etc. I assume based on the fact that for the next "group" they show B to J and I'm sure B to J aren't starting in one large group. Start Group Sequence The start group sequence will be as follows: $ - Top seeded Elite, Under 23 and Juniors # - Racing Tandems %, VA, VB, VM and A - Elite Ladies, Racing Veteran Men and Top Seeded Riders B to J - Seeded Edit: I see Gary posted that those four categories actually start at the same time so I was wrong! I don't mind the VB and VM, but the ladies are quite another thing. No offense. And skistar, you are probably right, smaller groups which causes people to be seeded further back.

They should've taken his photo throwing his bike against the fence and helmet on the ground after stopping!

Wasn't there three? They missed one due to timing chip falling off, but he was confirmed 5th overall.