Passing others on the Bike leg - Non-Drafting Multisport events

[Vetplant]

I've only ever done two non-drafting multisport events. With every race I found myself at some stage coming up to a slower rider that is not keeping to the designated side of the road to allow others to pass.

 

So here's the question:

 

1. What do the rules allow me to do?

 

2. Next, in reality, despite the rules, what do you actually do?

Do you politely shout at them to move over?

Do you pass them on the non-passing side?

Do you slow down and lose your rhythm and hope they move over eventually?

[Jewbacca]

Make it look like you are making an effort to follow the rules... The commissars will not penalise you if you do that.

 

Politely point out that he needs to stay left when you pass him.

 

Unless you are racing at the front of the field, you will usually get away with making an effort as long as you don't blatantly slingshot.

 

12m x 2m is a big box! 

[Vetplant]

Make it look like you are making an effort to follow the rules... The commissars will not penalise you if you do that.

 

Politely point out that he needs to stay left when you pass him.

 

Unless you are racing at the front of the field, you will usually get away with making an effort as long as you don't blatantly slingshot.

 

12m x 2m is a big box! 

What is "blatantly slingshot"? As I understand it I am allowed to move into the draft of another rider and continue moving forward in the draft until I pass him/her. This just needs to happen in a pre-determined time, correct? How is this movement done to not be deemed a slingshot? I have been struggling to find an explanation online of the illegal slighshot move...

[BDF]

What is "blatantly slingshot"? As I understand it I am allowed to move into the draft of another rider and continue moving forward in the draft until I pass him/her. This just needs to happen in a pre-determined time, correct? How is this movement done to not be deemed a slingshot? I have been struggling to find an explanation online of the illegal slighshot move...

The only slingshot I know of is in the Madison.

[shaper]

What is "blatantly slingshot"? As I understand it I am allowed to move into the draft of another rider and continue moving forward in the draft until I pass him/her. This just needs to happen in a pre-determined time, correct? How is this movement done to not be deemed a slingshot? I have been struggling to find an explanation online of the illegal slighshot move...

No you are not allowed to move into the draft on another.  Once you get to the required distance of 12m from the rider in front, you need to move out of the draft line and not carry on in draft right up to them and then pass them.  If in doubt, move from directly behind them as you approach (generally to the right unless course rules are different), even if not done 100% correctly done if you are being watched by a referee he will at least see you trying and not blatantly slingshotting (use the draft to gain an advantage)... else will hopefully give you constructing comment/advice rather than a penalty card

[Vetplant]

No you are not allowed to move into the draft on another.  Once you get to the required distance of 12m from the rider in front, you need to move out of the draft line and not carry on in draft right up to them and then pass them.  If in doubt, move from directly behind them as you approach (generally to the right unless course rules are different), even if not done 100% correctly done if you are being watched by a referee he will at least see you trying and not blatantly slingshotting (use the draft to gain an advantage)... else will hopefully give you constructing comment/advice rather than a penalty card

Ok cool, that helps allot, for some reason I thought it is allowable. In that case I deserved a bunch of penalties in my previous 2 Duathlons , my bad.

 

Will definitely change my approach in the future.

 

Now my next questions. Once you pass them, do you wait a while before moving back to the left?

 

Clearly it can get very crowded on the road very quickly with the full range of athletes with different levels of fitness doing multiple laps on a 10km course.

[shaper]

Ok cool, that helps allot, for some reason I thought it is allowable. In that case I deserved a bunch of penalties in my previous 2 Duathlons , my bad.

 

Will definitely change my approach in the future.

 

Now my next questions. Once you pass them, do you wait a while before moving back to the left?

 

Clearly it can get very crowded on the road very quickly with the full range of athletes with different levels of fitness doing multiple laps on a 10km course.

In theory you can move straight back in and the person you passed must drop off to at least 12m rather than now draft you.  

 

You also have a set period of time (which is usually stated at race briefing) to undertake the passing maneuver, else you will be deemed to be drafting. 

 

Edit: 10km bike courses are usually draft legal due to the nature and number of competitors as is often a sprint race.  You should check race rules

[Vetplant]

10km bike courses are usually draft legal due to the nature and number of competitors as is often a sprint race.  You should check race rules

Thanks. I did the Germiston Trinity series and the Olympic Distance race was done on a 10km loop and it was definitely Not Draft Legal. 

 

Doing the Bela Bela 5150 next weekend with a 20km bike loop, which in theory should make the route less crowded, we'll see.

[Guest notmyname]

Why wouldn't you draft.

[shaper]

Thanks. I did the Germiston Trinity series and the Olympic Distance race was done on a 10km loop and it was definitely Not Draft Legal. 

 

Doing the Bela Bela 5150 next weekend with a 20km bike loop, which in theory should make the route less crowded, we'll see.

Trinity whist was a 10km loop and was a 4 x loop? so should have been all spread out.  Seemed to be as I did the race.

 

Bela Bela will be spread out a little better and will wave as I pass by

[Jewbacca]

What is "blatantly slingshot"? As I understand it I am allowed to move into the draft of another rider and continue moving forward in the draft until I pass him/her. This just needs to happen in a pre-determined time, correct? How is this movement done to not be deemed a slingshot? I have been struggling to find an explanation online of the illegal slighshot move...

As Shaper said, you need to make an effort to avoid being in the slipstream. The usual rule is move out a meter and a half to the right (depending on any changes for specific races/sections) and pass within 7 seconds.

 

This forces you to use your own power and NOT be anywhere near assistance from his slip.

 

Once your front wheel passes his, he is meant to drop off and exit the box. If you don't manage to pass in the allotted time you will be forced to drop off (still 1.5m to the side) and return outside the box and return to the far left until you can pass within the rules.

 

That is how it works. Your interpretation has been used flexibly at IM and the halves in the past for age groupers BUT has been revoked as of 2016 due to abuse. (as far as I know anyway)

[Vetplant]

These are the pieces of the rules that confused me, taken from the Athlete Info Guide for the BELA BELA 5150. Everybody probably interprets it slightly different.

 

a) “Drafting” means to enter the draft zone (as described below) of another athlete or any vehicle. Drafting during the Race is prohibited; (2:00 Time Penalty)

b) The bicycle draft zone for 5150 events is 10 meters long, measured from the leading edge of the front wheel and extending towards the back of the bike. An athlete may enter the draft zone of another athlete when passing and must continuously progress through the draft zone. A maximum of 20 seconds will be allowed to pass through the draft zone of another athlete; (2:00 Time Penalty) for 5150 events.

c) Athletes must remain outside of the draft zone except when passing. Failure to do so will result in a drafting violation; (2:00 Time Penalty)

d) A “pass” occurs when the overtaking athlete’s front wheel passes the leading edge of the front wheel of the athlete being overtaken; No “Slingshot” passing is allowed.

 

i) Exceptions: An athlete may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following

conditions:

(i) If an athlete enters the drafting zone and completes a pass within 20 seconds;

(ii) For safety reasons;

(iii) Entering and exiting an aid station or transition area;

(iv) An acute turn; and

(v) If a Race Official exempts a section of the course because of narrow lanes, constructions, detours,

or for other safety reasons.

 

 

Looking at the rules above, I am thinking of the following strategy for passing this coming weekend:

1. Ride into the Draft Zone of the person being overtaken and keep moving through the zone until about 2 bike lengths from their back wheel,

2. at this point I will look back to see if anyone is approaching on a massively faster TT machine.

3. If the coast is clear I will move over and continue to pass, hopefully all of this will happen within about 15 seconds.

4. As soon as my rear wheel clears the front wheel of the fellow athlete I will start moving over again to the left.

5. I will listen to any comments from referees on the course and take any advice/requests from them regarding my passing of others and adapt accordingly.

 

Do you guys think this is fair conduct for an Age-Grouper?

 

EDIT: double text cleaned up