Michael O'Hair
I have to admire Norene for her optimistic point of view,
but the cat 4 races have frequently been graced with
"racers" who hang out on the back section to rest up
and then rejoin the pack. I haven't seen an instance
of someone doing this and then placing in the points,
but then I'm usually fighting to hang on. Which is
what really gravels me about this sort of behavior; I'm
working hard and to have someone who is a lot fitter than
I am "take a rest lap" and then come back into the race
is cheating, plain and simple, and really pisses me off.
Arguing that "it's not a real race" is a disservice to
everyone who takes part in the race, racers, officials,
and organizers alike.
There have been warnings from Tom Durkin at the start of
the last couple of cat 4 races about cheating and I believe
that it is time to make a point. So here is my proposal:
1) The offending race group is warned once and only once and
the penalties clearly explained.
2) If infractions persist, as appears to be the case,
the race group is monitored during the race. A lead
car and a follow car bracket the group and an official
notes the "off the back" riders. I would also place
three observers in strategic positions on the back to
note anyone who is "soloing." I would also suggest
that there be no hot spot sprints while the race group
is "under probation."
3) Anyone caught cheating is pulled from the race and banned
from some number of future PIR races.
PIR is a special race in that it allows beginners to learn the ropes, is
highly accessible, and is a lot of fun. I hope that we don't have to
implement
my proposal.
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Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 13:07:37 -0700
From: "Valente, Norrene" <Norrene.-@nike.com>
Subject: Results-Tuesday PIR
guys, guys.....before we start another email spaming....
I saw last nights race, and the field shattered because of
the wind and when
that happens it is very hard to judge who is on what lap and in what
position. I agree it is wrong to award a placing to a rider
who doesn't finish the race - but I will bet you dollars to donuts it
just a simple mistake.
PIR is just a Tuesday night get together for people to do a very fast
training ride (sorry no world championship strips issued) -
that's it. Let's
just have fun and keep it simple; If someone keeps jumping in
and out of the
race, report it to the officials and they can punish that rider.
Just have fun out there!
cheers
norrene =0)
Mike Murray wrote:
------------------------------------------------------------
I reading these results I notice that there is at least one rider who
is
listed as placing who did not complete the full distance of the race.
One rider quit with 10 or so laps to go! Since this is a points race
format
the points should be used to resolve the placing of riders that are on
the
same number of laps. Is it far or reasonable to place people that
don't even
finish the race?
The other problem with lapped riders that was particularly bad last
night is
that many people were getting dropped or stopping (often from the
middle
of the field) and then re-joining the race after sitting out
a lap and continuing to sprint and chase breaks and otherwise effect
the race.
Even worse they would often re-join and then get dropped again while
many
riders on even laps were gapped behind them.
Is this something that bothers just me or do other people
think it is unfair also? Does anyone have a solution?