Does anyone know the exact verbiage of the USAT rule on staggering? Is this enforced at all USAT non-drafting races? I got a penalty for this yesterday, and after an explanation from the head referee, I’m still unsure of what constitutes something illegal when you are out of the draft zone. It seems like a real gray area… like what constitutes a “foul” in basketball.
I’m no ref but I’m sure It is enforced at all USAT events. You either have to overtake someone and resume your position on the right side of the course or drop back out of the draft and remain on the right. This gets difficult to enforce on looped courses with a lot of people or short courses with bunches of people.
Ask BIGZACH, I’m sure he knows all about the stagger rule 
Seriously, the rule is simple. If you even SEE another pro ahead of you, you have to stagger, meaning that if he’s riding on the right, you need to ride on the left, and vice-versa. You don’t have to stagger regarding age groupers, just pros.
Does anyone know the exact verbiage of the USAT rule on staggering? Is this enforced at all USAT non-drafting races? I got a penalty for this yesterday, and after an explanation from the head referee, I’m still unsure of what constitutes something illegal when you are out of the draft zone. It seems like a real gray area… like what constitutes a “foul” in basketball.
5.10A(e) Staggered Positioning. All cyclists must assume and maintain a staggered riding position relative to the cyclists directly ahead; no cyclist may maintain a position of the course directly in line with a cyclist directly ahead. This staggered position must be maintained even if the cyclist is outside of the drafting zone and following at a distance of greater than ten (10) meters.
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That’s from the USAT elite (pro) rules which I believe applies at races when the pro purse exceeds $4000. If you’re at a WTC or ITU race of course you’re under different rules. If you need further clarification contact charlie@usatriathlon.org
OK, so I guess I understand the basics of the rule, but my question is really about how they make a “judgement” of what is illegal. So, technically, you could get a penalty if the person in front of you is a mile ahead, but you are both riding on the right side. What is a reasonable distance to enforce this? 100 yards? 200? Also, what happens when the rider in front of you moves from the right to the left? Obviously, you have to switch sides, but don’t you at least get a few seconds to do so? Also, on a winding course, this would cause the rider in the rear to ride a much longer distance if you can’t follow the same “line” as the leader. So, I guess I’m looking for more info. about the enforcement of the rule and how it typically applies.
Stagger, stagger, crawl, crawl. Crawl, stagger, crawl. Or was it Crawl, crawl, stagger, crawl.
Yeah, IMO its kind of a screwy rule with too much openess for judgement calls…
Back in 04 Yasterbov got hit with a stagger penalty at CDA, he was positioned fine, had his head down for aerodynamics, the pro up the road shifted position slightly to now be in line with Andry, and blammo! Penalty.
Esp when you throw in the pro women (before the 30 min head start that is now being used), it got really confusing out there seeing someone riding right next to the yellow line, you’re approaching, you have to determing the division / sex of the person in order to pass them on the right, because it was ok to pass on right if they were a pro vs. age grouper… too much thinking, just wanted to race !