Fleck wrote:
I'd anticipate a high body count..
There is always this default thinking that it will be a crash-fest, and even if there is only one crash, just one, it will be deemed by many, a crash-fest. That's unfortunate.
A better way to look at it would be for triathletes to take up the challenge and the opportunity of leaning to how to really ride a bicycle. To lean the nuances of how to handle a bike in a group. How to feel comfortable in various riding situations. Part of cycling is abut riding solo straight down a road, but it's not ALL of cycling.
It's not a crash caused by inexperience but usually by overly aggressive riding in my younger bike racing days. Its better with the open race track and good pavement but there was a weekly Oregon series at PIR(Portland International Raceway) and most crashes on that wide open track were caused by aggressive riding not inexperience.
Although with the "heats" concept, I'm guessing they can really limit the pack size plus since you have to swim first in the age groups I'm betting some smaller packs as well.
Overall, it's very intriguing from a spectating standpoint as the family can watch the whole race and depending on how well you do see you race multiple times.