2011 SA Champs

[bubblesm]

Just some notes on the lack of planning for this event:

 

1. Day 1 - TT event

A. The vets men had to contend with irate motorists harassing and in one instance pushing a cyclist past and away from the finish line, threatening to attack the rider, who was only able to stop almost 1 km past the finish.

B. The start of the vets ladies 30 to 34 TT. Two minutes prior to the start of the first lady, the lead-out car driver runs up the ramp and asks the race officials where the route is, and what he is supposed to do!

C. First lady is off and gets turned around at the 5km mark, and not the 10km turnaround point. On the way back, she is instructed to take to wrong turn by the marshals, and in the confusion loses more than a minute. Of the four ladies in this category two were given incorrect directions, obviously finishing 3rd and 4th. No official could be found to lodge a complaint, and no formal complaint procedure was provided to the participants. Only after the medal ceremony was the actual complaint procedure provided. Each and every UCI official just noted that it is not their problem.

D. Fifty plus vets ladies did a mix of 10 to 20 km TT - they were told to come back the next day and try again.

E. The turnaround point was not properly cleaned with quite a few riders coming down.

 

Day 2.

A. During the junior girls race, road closure was not managed properly and a girl was hit by a car after taking a tumble. Why was there a car this close to them?

B. The turnaround point for the mens 30km TT was right in front of a house. This person contacted the local cycle shop to ask them to move this, as no-one discussed this or notified them of the event.

C. The route description given to the riders that want to explore the road race route is incorrect. The turn at the aquarium is not called Happy Valley Road Mr Organiser.

 

Day 3

A. Vets mens race planned for 7am only starts at 9:20am. The race officials first wanted to check traffic conditions on the day of the race.

B. The race route is again changed, turning it into a hill climb championship, and not a road race.

C. The ladies vets race for all age groups are moved 3 times, without any official communication. And then 10 minutes after the race was suppose to start, the race was cancelled. This included the road race for the fifty plus men. For 2011, there will be no vets ladies road champ in any age group. Plan B - there is none. The reason for canceling: CSA cannot trust their own officials in ensuring the safety of the riders.

D. The Vet men started with the different age categories bundled into one. This meant that when 3 younger vets put a break in, those in older age categories who were still contesting podium spots were pulled off.

E. A guy who got a sixteenth position was placed second due to the riders in front being incorrectly removed from the course by the race officials.

F. The Vet ladies were told that they should all stay in a bunch, because once you fell off, the course was too dangerous. The 40 ladies would inevitably fall off on the first lap already due to the hills (at their own admission), which then technically speaking meant if the vets were to ride they would had ridden a fun ride instead of really competing.

Edited February 5, 2011 by bubblesm

[gummibear]

Just some notes on the lack of planning for this event:

 

1. Day 1 - TT event

A. The vets men had to contend with irate motorists harassing and in one instance pushing a cyclist past and away from the finish line, threatening to attack the rider, who was only able to stop almost 1 km past the finish.

B. The start of the vets ladies 30 to 34 TT. Two minutes prior to the start of the first lady, the lead-out car driver runs up the ramp and asks the race officials where the route is, and what he is supposed to do!

C. First lady is off and gets turned around at the 5km mark, and not the 10km turnaround point. On the way back, she is instructed to take to wrong turn by the marshals, and in the confusion loses more than a minute. Of the four ladies in this category two were given incorrect directions, obviously finishing 3rd and 4th. No official could be found to lodge a complaint, and no formal complaint procedure was provided to the participants. Only after the medal ceremony was the actual complaint procedure provided. Each and every UCI official just noted that it is not their problem.

D. Fifty plus vets ladies did a mix of 10 to 20 km TT - they were told to come back the next day and try again.

E. The turnaround point was not properly cleaned with quite a few riders coming down.

 

Day 2.

A. During the junior girls race, road closure was not managed properly and a girl was hit by a car after taking a tumble. Why was there a car this close to them?

B. The turnaround point for the mens 30km TT was right in front of a house. This person contacted the local cycle shop to ask them to move this, as no-one discussed this or notified them of the event.

C. The route description given to the riders that want to explore the road race route is incorrect. The turn at the aquarium is not called Happy Valley Road Mr Organiser.

 

Day 3

A. Vets mens race planned for 7am only starts at 9:20am. The race officials first wanted to check traffic conditions on the day of the race.

B. The race route is again changed, turning it into a hill climb championship, and not a road race.

C. The ladies vets race for all age groups are moved 3 times, without any official communication. And then 10 minutes after the race was suppose to start, the race was cancelled. This included the road race for the fifty plus men. For 2011, there will be no vets ladies road champ in any age group. Plan B - there is none. The reason for canceling: CSA cannot trust their own officials in ensuring the safety of the riders.

D. The Vet men started with the different age categories bundled into one. This meant that when 3 younger vets put a break in, those in older age categories who were still contesting podium spots were pulled off.

E. A guy who got a sixteenth position was placed second due to the riders in front being incorrectly removed from the course by the race officials.

F. The Vet ladies were told that they should all stay in a bunch, because once you fell off, the course was too dangerous. The 40 ladies would inevitably fall off on the first lap already due to the hills (at their own admission), which then technically speaking meant if the vets were to ride they would had ridden a fun ride instead of really competing.

 

 

I just wonder how the World Cup would have turned out without the help of Belgium,Holland and Germany in organizing the event.....maybe something like this

 

I really hope the Tour of SA get better planning and is not a disaster.

 

I just feel sorry for the people racers and parents that invested in this event and were really disappointed by the event.

[scotty]

Sounds crazy, riders spent a lot of time and money which is wasted. Only positive i can see comming out of this is perhaps lessons learnt on how NOT to hold a SA Champ race.

 

This weeks Supercycling should be a show to see.

[No Name]

elite men

[David Marshall]

This is just a horror story! I can imagine how the affected riders feel - must also be such a hollow victory for those on the podium.

 

I shudder to think of what will happen on the Tour of SA. I live near the Montecasino part of the course and have seen very little notification of the event or any planned closures. 94.7 put up closure notifications well in advance. Traffic in this area is a nightmare!

[No Name]

.

[No Name]

./

[Roulier]

Nice pictures. If only they could tell the story of exactly how hard it was out there today.

 

Unlike previous days, today was a well organised event and it just goes to show that it can be done properly if there is will to do it. PE fans supported well, overcoming rain as well as the heat to day to cheer on the guys today. All in all it was a good day for the SA Cycling. We sure needed it.

[bubblesm]

It is great that everyone came together to ensure the elite race could happen today, it shows that when we all agree to pull together, we can make it work.

 

It does however still not show any respect to the Veteran competitors. It is fine to agree to use the team managers to ensure route safety, but the Vets don't have teams, or team managers, or following vehicles. What can we do for the vets? Months of preparation and lots of money come from these competitors' pockets, only to go home disappointed and let down.

[Puncture Girl]

It is great that everyone came together to ensure the elite race could happen today, it shows that when we all agree to pull together, we can make it work.

 

It does however still not show any respect to the Veteran competitors. It is fine to agree to use the team managers to ensure route safety, but the Vets don't have teams, or team managers, or following vehicles. What can we do for the vets? Months of preparation and lots of money come from these competitors' pockets, only to go home disappointed and let down.

 

Glad you're back home safe. Was worried when all the horror stories started doing the rounds.

 

I agree with you - you guys put a lot of time, money and effort into the Sport - you definitely deserve more than you got out of this event.

 

Mich

[Pickles]

There is a lot of pain on these faces. I believe it was over 40 degrees. I told my son to bail the race today and rather enjoy The Herald tomorrow. I think, for once in his life, he listened to me. There was too much negativity all-in-all from what I read here and on Facebook. The younger boys (brand new under 23's) should be having positive (even hard)experiences. Not all this nonsense.

[onetrackmind]

The younger boys (brand new under 23's) should be having positive (even hard)experiences. Not all this nonsense.

I hope you encouraged him to stay and watch Darren win? A great example of getting on with the job at hand, rather than getting mixed up in nonsense you can't control.

['Dale]

Cool pics...

That is quite a climb and with rough concrete surface!

[Guest Big H]

Lets hope thst the character "Teardrop" who worries where the money for races goes to will also volunteer and help organising the next SA's.

[AndreZA]

 

What the frikkadel happened to TCS's budget?

[Sonic]

What the frikkadel happened to TCS's budget?

 

He left his Cannondale in Belguim, I think.