College of Commissaires
Points to note for 2014 Road Season
Identification
Every full competition licence holder has been issued with TWO back numbers. These must both be worn at all times during Road Race competition. The numbers are to be pinned(bring your own) to the jersey pockets as pictured below. Riders should plan to arrive at sign on with their 2014 licence signed AND also in possession of both their back numbers for inspection. Not having both numbers will result in not being allowed to start and if spotted during the race, relegated to last place in their bunch as per AT4.5.
Riders with numbers trimmed will have their numbers confiscated by the Commissaire with the rider having to request a new set from Cycling Ireland.
Chapter T5 Article 2
8. The wearing of numbers is mandatory in all Cycling Ireland competitive races. In open time trials or time trials within a stage race only one back or shoulder number may be used.
9. Riders may be required to show their two official Cycling Ireland numbers at the request of the Commissaire prior to signing on and they shall ensure that the numbers are visible and legible at all times. The numbers shall be well fixed and may not be folded or altered in any way. Riders failing to wear their two numbers in this fashion in Road Races will be subject to discipline under AT.4.4
An example of wearing the numbers correctly can help identify riders at the finish
Clothing
With an increasing number of Tri athletes taking part in road racing, Tri Athletes need to be aware that jerseys need to have sleeves as is the standard of road racing. If participating in a time trial (in a stage race or otherwise) triathlon sleeveless skin suits are forbidden. Non-essential items of clothing, includes compression socks up to the knee which are also forbidden.
Chapter T5 Article 2
1. All riders shall when racing, wear a jersey with sleeves and a pair of shorts, possibly in the form of a one piece. By shorts it is understood that these come above the knees. Jerseys without sleeves shall be forbidden. It is also forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing other than where weather conditions make them appropriate for the safety or health and safety of the rider.
Riders must be aware that when competing for a club/team, it is this registered jersey that must be worn at all times during competition. This means that no professional team kit (including shorts) is allowed to be worn. No Irish National team Skin suits are permitted in time trials unless representing Ireland in that event. This is because your club most likely has a sponsor and they deserve to have the publicity. The only exception is if the rider is leading a classification in a stage race.
3. Riders belonging to a Cycling Ireland affiliated club must when competing in an open road race or time trial authorised by Cycling Ireland and organised under Cycling Ireland rules, wear the registered jersey of their affiliated club. In races where a one piece suit is normally worn and a club one piece suit is not available then the rider, with the commissaires agreement, may wear a plain one piece suit
For racing members who are competing un-attached or on an Event Licence (formerly One Day Licence) until March 31st, the following applies:
4. In competitive races where registered club clothing is not mandatory then, with the exception of clothing as referred to in rule T5.A2.5 below, such clothing should not carry any advertising other than the manufacturers logo
A Commissaire and finishing judges worst nightmare are Rain Capes and Gilets obscuring a riders back numbers when trying to either identify the rider during a race or at the finish. The following applies with the penalty being relegation to last place in the bunch:
14. Rain capes if worn must be transparent or in the design and layout of the registered jersey and must not obscure the riders numbers.
Who are they??
Event Licence (formerly One Day Licence)
One Day Licences have now been renamed Event Licences. These are only available until March 31st where there after only those in possession of full competition licences will be allowed to compete. It is the event organisers responsibility to obtain these Event Licence sign on sheets from Cycling Ireland. Commissaires will only supply temporary back numbers which may be subject to a deposit to ensure the numbers will be returned after. If an event organiser is not in possession of the appropriate event licence form, then event licences will not be available for that event. For organisers to request the appropriate form, follow the below link:
http://www.cyclingireland.ie/downloads/one-day-licence-request-form.doc
Public Urination/Littering
Public Urination complaints increased significantly in 2013 as did complaints of riders littering with gel wrappers found all over a course . All riders, support staff and event staff are reminded of the following with the penalty covered in AT4. 29.2 :
Chapter T5 Article 2
14. Care must be taken with toilet needs in the interest of public decency. Competitors or other licence holders will be penalised for any indiscreet action.
A time and a place for it so be smart in your choice of location.
Marshals
Riders are reminded that event stewards are there to indicate direction to the race and warn traffic that the race is approaching. They do not have the authority to stop and hold traffic, so it is your responsibility as the rider to maintain your own safety on the road, at junctions in particular as there is every possibility that traffic may not heed a stewards warning of the approaching race and continue against the race.
Chapter T7 Article 1
3. Stewards will indicate the direction to be followed but no action by them is to be interpreted as implying that it is safe for the rider to proceed. Each competitor will make his own judgment regarding the safety of any manoeuvre.
Road Positioning
You will hear this a lot at races. The roads are not closed to open road races in Ireland. If they are, you will be told about it. Treat how you conduct yourself on the bike, like how you would drive a car in relation to road positioning and passing other riders. After all you are another vehicle on the road where the Road Traffic Act does apply. Large entries into races coupled with the width of some of the roads used will result in this not always being possible. Lead Cars and Moto marshals are there to warn of an approaching hazard to other road users, so do not expect traffic to be at a standstill when passing. It became very apparent in 2013 season that riders were deliberately lingering on the wrong side of the road, causing a hazard to everybody around them including oncoming traffic because they felt it was safer there than riding in the bunch. This can not be tolerated in 2014 and if you are one of those riders who feels this way, then you are not ready for road racing just yet. Such riders will be handled under AT4. 12.1below:
Penalties may be levied by the Commissaires panel depending upon the seriousness of the infringement.
Penalties may be warnings, time penalties, fines and/or disqualification
A 2 rider breakaway on the wrong side of the road with continuous white line. Not acceptable
Riders please listen to and respect the instructions of Event Organisers and Commissaires throughout the 2014 Road season in an effort to keep races safe and develop a positive image of Road Racing to the public who still need convincing.