Mike Murray
TTs are in stage races primarily because otherwise there would be multiple
riders that finished with the same time; i.e. multiple riders tied for
places with o reasonable way to sort them out. This occurs because a single
time is given for all riders that finish in a group together. Pack time is
a reasonable method and is done universally in bike racing. In the past it
was impossible to give riders their own finish time. This could be done
with current timing equipment but I don't think we want to encourage
everyone sprinting in so that they don't lose the time between 20th and
40th. I am also not sure it would be such a great idea for us to do things
so different from everyone else in the world.
A separate category for TT would be possible but stage races will still need
to be divided by road category and will still need to include a TT. It
would also require a fair amount more administrative work. If someone wants
there to be separate categories for they can feel free to propose that rule
change through the rule change process outline in the first paragraph of the
rules.
An alternative the I would suggest is that all TTs produce overall results
for all competitors listing the fastest to slowest. There could then be
secondary results done for specific groups; individual categories, age
groups, home town, hair color ... Whatever. I see no reason why a single
rider could not be the 5th place overall, 1st place Cat 4 and 2nd place 35+.
I also don't think that the importance of TT specific equipment should be
over emphasized. There is a measurable benefit from a skinsuit, TT bars and
aero wheels (mostly front wheel) but the other stuff provides minimal
benefit. Even a purchase of a maximal amount of TT equipment is only likely
to improve placing by a small amount. Most people could ride a stage race
TT on their regular road bike and they GC position would be minimally
effected.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: obra-bounces@list.obra.org [mailto:obra-bounces@list.obra.org] On
Behalf Of Brian
Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 15:22 PM
To: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] TT, categories, and beer for lunch
No beer for me today Erik, unfortunately.
I think it is important for an organization to be able to reassess its own
institutions from time to time. If you aren't interested in doing that,
this post isn't for you.
The categories thing might seem extreme, but honestly that is how they do it
in many countries where cycling has been around a lot longer than it has
here. Whatever its benefit, Categorization creates only the illusion of
fair competition and success.
And I do believe that realistically, for the average racer out there, it
would be more fulfilling and realistic to focus on his own improvement and
beating his friends at the races than to worry about getting on the podium
and eventually becoming a cat2, the be-all end-all of local cycling. But
that's just one opinion on healthy competition mentality.
As for time trialing, I do think that it is a completely distinct discipline
than road racing. I also think it' a serious flaw in stage race design that
it requires investing a couple grand in aero equipment simply for the sake
of being competitive in GC, when in one way of looking at it, TT has little
to do with the actual concept of a stage race.
Also, let's face it, most people with TT bikes just get them out of the
garage a few times a year when they need them. Thinking of TT as a separate
discipline, with its own categories if necessary, would make them more
attractive purchases and encourage using them more.
And finally, I believe that the perception that time trialing is a
subdivision of road racing creates just one more barrier for new cyclists
entering the sport. E.g., potential racer shows up to watch Mt. Hood
Cycling Classic, sees that every racer is dressed like a mutant and riding a
min. 5k dollar bike, and has no way of relating that to the kind of biking
he does.
Thanks for asking me to clarify that. Now for some beer...
Erik wrote:
Brian, please tell us that you had a few beers with lunch and THEN wrote
that.
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