Mike Murray

I thought the neutralization was odd too. First, the fallen rider was sitting upright. I was having a hard time seeing the need for a car to be on the course for a fallen person that could sit up. Once sitting it is really best if the person moves or is moved out of the way. Different deal, of course, for an unconscious fallen rider. I tend to agree with Dan that there was plenty of room for the sprint to have taken place. The weirdest thing was the entire lap after passing the fallen person that was so slow. Not that I am complaining. Slower is sure a whole lot better for me. My theory is that once it slowed down everyone had the sudden realization that going slower to SO much easier than going fast so they just kept doing it.

Mike Murray
Sent from mobile device

> On Jul 8, 2014, at 16:01, Chris Bright wrote:
>
> Dan,
>
> I'll offer my perspective. The race was entering the final corner for an intermediate sprint. Upon approaching the corner, several folks were waving to the pack to slow down and there was a vehicle on the track attending to the crashed riders. The racers at the head of the pack sat up not knowing the situation or who was where, so out of caution they sat up and signaled to take it easy. If the sprint had continued unabated it would have been extremely dangerous to the volunteers attending to the fallen rider, the fallen rider him/herself, and to the pack since there was a vehicle on the track.
>
> After the sprint was called off by the front guys, you popped out and started going to the line. Technically you may be correct, the officials did not call a neutral. It just so happens we don't have in-race officials so -- no offense to Jordan -- he wasn't there nor was any other yellow shirt. We don't have the luxury of flaggers posted around the course as in motor sports. We self-police. The people with the best view called it -- and they called it right. You apparently disagreed and used your impressive acceleration to jump around 20+ guys doing 15 mph to attempt to get points.
>
> I am more curious as to your statement, "I just thought it was strange and unusual to neutralize for no apparent reason." I find that baffling considering there was a fallen rider and a car on the track that you found that to be no apparent reason to not contest an all important intermediate sprint at a weekly PIR race.
>
> Chris
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Chris Bright

Dan,

I'll offer my perspective. The race was entering the final corner for an intermediate sprint. Upon approaching the corner, several folks were waving to the pack to slow down and there was a vehicle on the track attending to the crashed riders. The racers at the head of the pack sat up not knowing the situation or who was where, so out of caution they sat up and signaled to take it easy. If the sprint had continued unabated it would have been extremely dangerous to the volunteers attending to the fallen rider, the fallen rider him/herself, and to the pack since there was a vehicle on the track.

After the sprint was called off by the front guys, you popped out and started going to the line. Technically you may be correct, the officials did not call a neutral. It just so happens we don't have in-race officials so -- no offense to Jordan -- he wasn't there nor was any other yellow shirt. We don't have the luxury of flaggers posted around the course as in motor sports. We self-police. The people with the best view called it -- and they called it right. You apparently disagreed and used your impressive acceleration to jump around 20+ guys doing 15 mph to attempt to get points.

I am more curious as to your statement, "I just thought it was strange and unusual to neutralize for no apparent reason." I find that baffling considering there was a fallen rider and a car on the track that you found that to be no apparent reason to not contest an all important intermediate sprint at a weekly PIR race.

Chris

Dan H

To those who raced last night in master's 123,
First, I want to be be clear this not a complaint or rant. Just a discussion.
There was a crash in the women's field during our hot lap. I don't think
there is any rule that the race automatically neutralizes without an
official saying so.
In fact, Jordan told me himself the race was not neutralized. The fallen
rider was well out of our way and in no way impeded our progress. I
started to go and several of you yelled at me that I should not. Since no
one else was sprinting, I didn't see any point in continuing so I sat up
and waited for you.
(I still didn't get points nor am I seeking any)
In motorsports, this situation would be a yellow flag. That means racing
continues but just be aware there is something going on out of the
ordinary.
I just thought it was strange and unusual to neutralize for no apparent
reason.
A cyclist standing on the corner waving their arms does not mean to me
"neutral". It means, "look out". I did and I saw nothing in the way so
racing as usual until I hear otherwise from someone wearing a yellow polo
shirt.
You may now tell me where I'm wrong.
Meant in the nicest possible way.
OBRA #4415