Confusing drafting rules

Triathlon Forum
1

Probably I’m the only one confused.

I was penalized in Shreveport for drafting. I’ve never had a penalty or any drafting issues in the last 3 years of races. The write-up stated that I had approached to 1.5 bike lengths behind another cyclist, then backed off after a few seconds. I was told I was penalized because I didn’t pass, and apparently once you enter the passing zone, you have to pass in 15 seconds, there’s no backing off without penalty.

I know the fault is mine, I didn’t know the full extent of this rule saying you have to pass once you initiate it. But is this rule widely known and enforced?

I’m curious because I’m doing another Olympic distance triathlon this weekend which is supposedly according to USAT rules, but in this case I wouldn’t be penalized for what I did in Shreveport, because the rules they’ve e-mailed around say: “cyclists may not ride within 3 bike lengths of the rider in front of them or within three feet of a rider to the side. Cyclists have 15 seconds to complete a pass through this “drafting zone” or must back off 3 bike lengths if not successful.” So I CAN back off this weekend…

2

Were you in the running for an AG award without the penalty? If not you shouldn’t get too concerned about it. It sounds like they were watching the bike really close. Probably much closer than a normal race.

It is a kinda stupid rule though. If you go to pass and the other guy speeds up before you get ahead and you end up not being able to pass and have to drop back you shouldn’t be penalized. But if you just get into the drafting zone and stay there without making a clear effort to pass, I can see where there could be a penalty.

Don

3

the part about “or must back off 3 bike lengths if not successful.” isn’t right - you should ignore it. I’ve heard refs explain it a couple of times.

There’s 2 parts:

5.10e. Passing. A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached decreases speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.

“and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass” - so you should be ready to finish off the rider in front, even if they speed up (which is why some recommend that your come right up behind the bike in front, before pulling out to finish the pass. it can give you an element of surprise)

5.10h. Exceptions. A participant may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following conditions:

(1) When entering the drafting zone from the rear, closing the gap, and overtaking all within no more than 15 seconds.

(2) When cyclist reduces speed for safety reasons, for course blockage, for an aid station, for an emergency, when entering or exiting a transition area, or when making a turn of 90 degrees or more; or

(3) When USA Triathlon or the Head Referee expressly excludes a section of the bicycle course from the position foul rules because of overly narrow lanes, construction, detours, or a similar reason.

Enter the zone (1) only if you are going to complete the pass. It’s the Yoda rule: “Do (finish the pass) or do not (enter the zone); there is no try”. One ref said there’s a good reason. If it did allow a backout, then as soon as a motorcycle pulls up next to a real drafter, all they would have to do is hit the brakes, and then say “well, I was trying to pass, but couldn’t pull it off!”, and not get a penalty.

4

(which is why some recommend that your come right up behind the bike in front, before pulling out to finish the pass. it can give you an element of surprise)

Not if you got those noisy disc wheels you can’t sneak up. I’ll hear you and speed up you wheel sucking creep :slight_smile:

Bassman

5

I know that I could have gotten a call for exactly that in Shreveport.

I guess a lot of people make it their life’s work to not get passed on the bike and when you come along side them about to pass they start sprinting almost.

I guess I can sorta see the reason for the rule, but really the ref should use judgement when making or not making that call.

6

I understand why they were agressive because last year I did the race and it was a draft fest. It sounds like in your case they were a little overly aggressive. I have been an official and the rule has always been you have 15 sec to get out of the draft zone front or back. I have run accross some officials that are very inexperienced and don’t understand the rules themselves and tend to be overly aggressive to make sure they don’t miss anything which is too bad but they have to learn. Unless you were in the running for worlds and dead set on going don’t worry and get on with life.

7

Thanks for the feedback. It sounds to me like this was very much a judgement call from the ref.

I actually would have gotten an age group medal before the 2 minute penalty was added, and would probably have made worlds, which is something I was aiming for.

Is there any appeal mechanism this long after the race, and is it worth pursuing?

I didn’t initially push on it because I thought I just didn’t understand the rule, so I’d been legitimately penalized.

8

argued with teh head ref about this one at the prerace meeting for a while. His interpretation doesn’t make any sense. My girlfriend was worried as when she goes to pass guys many speed up just to make sure they don’t get passed by a girl. A guy in front of me got tagged for this at the race. He pulled out to pass a group and a guy halfway up the group pulled out right in front of him. He couldn’t complete the pass on everyone and had to back all the way down. He got a penalty for entering the draft zone.

9

At this point there is no challange. It must be I think within 30 min of finishing. You argument may not have helped beause this is a judgment call by the official and those are usually final. Sorry about your bad luck maybe you can make the next nationals if they ever anounce where and when. I thought I got tagged for drafting in Dallas because there was a younger guy that passed and kept sitting up and I ended up in the draft zone but I guess the official realized I wasn’t drasfting because I would stop pedaling when this happened. Good Luck in the future

10

Not if you got those noisy disc wheels you can’t sneak up. I’ll hear you and speed up you wheel sucking creep :slight_smile:

umm, I think you actually get 15sec to use the draft zone to get ahead.

11

You cannot challenge a position foul or any judgement call. See Article X, Rule 10.1.

Bob Sigerson