Contaminated Haggis Posted September 15, 2008 Share I was badgered by uci officials on 2 occassions yesterday at the D2D road race. I was supposed to start in the licensed VA group but decided on riding in VB with my mates. A marshal approached and said I was not allowed to do that. She escorted me to the front of the VB bunch and told me to go. The VA bunch had already left about 3 minutes prior. I crossed the start line but sat up and waited for the VB's (+- a minute). I rode with them for about 30km and broke away with about 15 BV guys. I was always sitting at the back and did nothing to hamper their race. I stayed with the VB front runners but sat at the back for another 10 km's when another official approached in a car and told me to hang back, but couldnt tell me how far back to fall. I told her that I was not interfering in their race, but she insisted. Fearing the worst (dq), I just sat up and fell back. I rode the last 65km or so with another VA rider who I reeled in, but feel my time would have been so much better if I had stayed with the VB bunch. Does anyone know the rules? If I was wrong then fair enough, I will ride in my own bunch from now on regardless. Any light on the subject would be much appreciated. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnekop Posted September 15, 2008 Share Hi Doug.Unfortunately you cannot ride in a "lower" group, i.e VB if you are VA. No helping, no wheel sucking.You drop out. You ride on your own.Remember.....you may have the integrity not to interfere with their race but there are always some idiot that will not think like you and race with them, interfering in what could mean a different result as to if he was not part of the group.So the officials normally take a hard stance and kick you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted September 15, 2008 Share The only time you can drop back is if you go back to the open seeded groups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted September 15, 2008 Share But the VA, VB and VC and classified cattegories just like Elites or Juniors. It's not that the groups are slower then each other, they are different age groups. Otherwise it would be okay for a VA rider to jump into the Junior groups because he want to ride with his or his mates son or something. Mampara2008-09-15 01:36:40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contaminated Haggis Posted September 15, 2008 Share Cool, thanks for the info there. I'm confused but I guess I will just have to stay in my own group and see my mates after the race dougaroony2008-09-15 01:31:27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slowpoke Posted September 15, 2008 Share the last time i rode 94.7 i'd been seeded with the racing ladies. although i was licenced already at that stage i had never ridden licenced (was too scared) but i was informed that i would have to pay for a re-seed to ride in the open bunch because if you are licenced you must ride licenced and "that is that" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted September 15, 2008 Share The only time you can drop back is if you go back to the open seeded groups. I was told I wasn't even allowed to do that. It's absurd. However, I think with the Vets categories it's a bit different. I also think the CSA officials were being really strict because UCI hotshots were watching over their shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnekop Posted September 15, 2008 Share UCI...UCI....UCI..... I got info that this was actually NOT a UCI race???? Why do you guys think the girls was allowed to race VS? If it was "UCI classified", they would not have been allowed!! So......I think UCI had nothing to do with it. Jules.....Get over it dude.The Open cats HATE it if a "licensed" rider drops down and come make the tired and take their play money... I think if you WANT to drop down, do it properly, drop down to ZZ and ride your MTB. Maybe then CSA will allow you to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Twin Posted September 15, 2008 Share I have a Cyclosport licence where does that put me? Certainly don't have the ability to hang with those guys. Just enjoy riding. Dirty Twin2008-09-15 01:39:39 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules Posted September 15, 2008 Share UCI...UCI....UCI..... ? I got info that this was actually NOT a UCI race???? ? Why do you guys think the girls was allowed to race VS?? If it was "UCI classified"' date=' they would not have been allowed!! ? So......I think UCI had nothing to do with it. ? Jules..... Get over it dude. The Open cats HATE it if a "licensed" rider drops down and come make the tired and take their play money... ? I think if you WANT to drop down, do it properly, drop down to ZZ and ride your MTB.? Maybe then CSA will allow you to? [/quote'] I don't know where you got your info from, but D2D was definitely UCI - see http://www.dome2dome.co.za/eventinformation.php As for the A bunch, I don't object to the rules, so long as they are uniform. I can't tell you how many times I've been forcefully downgraded to A because I've left my licence at home. Then the one day I actually want to ride A, I'm told I'm not allowed to. I don't know if there was prize money in A, but I'm of the opinion that there shouldn't be. Prize money should be for licenced categories only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreZA Posted September 15, 2008 Share I have a Cyclosport licence where does that put me? Certainly don't have the ability to hang with those guys. Just enjoy riding. Cyclosport is just a glorified fun rider. You should be able to drop down the ranks but you you not. If you do not feel good on the day the chances are you are still better then the other groups and will stuff up their races. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intern Posted September 15, 2008 Share I'm with Jules on this one. CSA kind of arbitrarily enforces the rules...especially if you don't have your precious license, you get treated like a leper trying to commit the Great Train Robbery. I mean, are there really that many fraudster bicyclists out there, and would the heist of the century really involve duping them into thinking you were licensed when you are not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinnekop Posted September 15, 2008 Share I don't know where you got your info from' date=' but D2D was definitely UCI - see http://www.dome2dome.co.za/eventinformation.php [/quote'] Organisers phoned the teams? Thats the info I got......mmmmm....As for the A bunch' date=' I don't object to the rules, so long as they are uniform. I can't tell you how many times I've been forcefully downgraded to A because I've left my license at home. [/quote'] There you have it......our WONDERFUL CSA system.Next time just tell them you left you license at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallo Posted September 15, 2008 Share Guys it is not the UCI rules that causes these problems it is the officials who interpret them the way they want to. To me it depends on their mood on the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Contaminated Haggis Posted September 15, 2008 Share I think the consensus is that there is a mixed bag of what everyone perceives the rules to be. I wish the rules were clear cut, I have only done a few races as a licensed vet and have not had a good experience thus far. Last race I did, I was told my number was too small. The race before that, I was told that my bike number was supposed to be around the top tube, I though it looked better cable tied to my seat stem. I see the requirement to be professional, but when the different cycling bodies dont make the rules freely available, professionality turns to mickey mouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intern Posted September 15, 2008 Share Or how friendly with them you are. They do like a sycophant... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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