Hello everyone,
This is an idea that has been in my head for quite a while since my return to the sport in 2014. From my last IMWC, back in 2006, I remember that until the Hawi road, the non-drafting rule was hard (not impossible) to comply with because you had to ride below or above your race pace in order to not be left too much behind, or ride too early too hard. In 2006 I think we were about 1800 triathletes on the road. Last year there were 2455. Same bike course.
This scenario has been pretty similar around all IM events through these years.
Then we have the increased suspicious doping use in AG categories to make it more complicated.
So, as probably most of us know, the boom in IM (long distance) events is due to AG athletes who just want the "finisher" medal, not giving too much value to the finisher time. With this scenario, and world-class events taken place during a whole weekend, maybe is not unrealistic to have one day for PROs and this limited non-draft AG (no more rolling start), and the next day every AG else, with "no-rules-apply" & "no official finisher time" but an Official Finisher Medal.
For the PROs nothing changes. For this new AG category, less riders on the road and more referees (maybe even more doping test). And the next day, no referees, no chrono (17h limit time applies), no rules, even no winners just a finisher list, but all the fun. It could be a low-cost IM event with cheaper fees !
What are your thoughts, silly idea or not silly at all? Thank you.
STRAVA INSTAGRAM
This is an idea that has been in my head for quite a while since my return to the sport in 2014. From my last IMWC, back in 2006, I remember that until the Hawi road, the non-drafting rule was hard (not impossible) to comply with because you had to ride below or above your race pace in order to not be left too much behind, or ride too early too hard. In 2006 I think we were about 1800 triathletes on the road. Last year there were 2455. Same bike course.
This scenario has been pretty similar around all IM events through these years.
Then we have the increased suspicious doping use in AG categories to make it more complicated.
So, as probably most of us know, the boom in IM (long distance) events is due to AG athletes who just want the "finisher" medal, not giving too much value to the finisher time. With this scenario, and world-class events taken place during a whole weekend, maybe is not unrealistic to have one day for PROs and this limited non-draft AG (no more rolling start), and the next day every AG else, with "no-rules-apply" & "no official finisher time" but an Official Finisher Medal.
For the PROs nothing changes. For this new AG category, less riders on the road and more referees (maybe even more doping test). And the next day, no referees, no chrono (17h limit time applies), no rules, even no winners just a finisher list, but all the fun. It could be a low-cost IM event with cheaper fees !
What are your thoughts, silly idea or not silly at all? Thank you.
STRAVA INSTAGRAM