Triathlon in Franch - Bike Rules

I am working in Paris and plan to do some races here. I’ve been looking at the rules for the French Federation of Triathlon and it appears that the bike rules for everyone are potentially the same as those required by the UCI for drafting races.

Unfortunately, I have been riding a Cervelo P2k for the last couple of years and my setup is very similar to what Dan recommends – 78 degree seat angle, pursuit bars, bar-end shifters, low front end. I am very comfortable in this position and use it for Ironman down to sprint races.

On reading the rules (in French, this doesn’t help) it seems that : bar end shifters are not allowed but grip shifters are – okay I can make this change if necessary. The extensions must be bridged – pain in the butt but I’m sure I can work something out here too especially if I have to use grip shifters. The extensions must not extend beyond the line of the front of the brake levers ; and The handlebars must be of “classic type”, that is “curved”. I think this could mean road style bars rather than pursuit style bars (although pursuit bars are also “curved” so it’s not very clear)?

Okay, points 1 and 2 are a hassle but I can get around them, points 3 and 4 basically change my whole setup.

Also, I note that Ironman France this year specifically allowed bar end shifters, but I gather this was a one-off exemption that the WTC would have pushed.

I’ve only been learning French for 2 months so just calling up the Triathlon Federation and asking them isn’t really an option at the moment, and I can’t see that I’m going to get much of a response in English even if someone there can speak English. So, hopefully someone who has raced here can elaborate on these rules, ie. whether I have them correct. Also if anyone knows a good solution for my setup then I’d be happy to hear it.

Hopefully the advantage that I believe I have with a really good set up won’t be lost trying to conform to the French rules.

Cheers

Cam

Bloody French keyboards, that should read “Triathlon in France” of course!

(okay, French keyboards have a few keys in different spots, I’ve had to relearn to touch-type, but in fact the “e” is in the same spot as an English/American keyboard, so I have no excuse!)

Cam

Hi Camel,

I am not familiar with those rules, but maybe if you can point to the original document I can help with you with the French language.

Hi Felix,

Yes, François is right, this only applies to draft legal, so only the races of the Grand Prix, equivalent of the pro series in France. These races are draft legal format. It is the same in Switzerland for some of the pro races.

I did Nice last year with a road set-up (obviously for Nice) but I saw other competitors (from the US mainly, why am I surprised) doing the Triathlon with steep angle bikes, bar end shifters, …

So I think it’s OK to go with your P2K.

What race are you planning on doing in France, Felix ?

Hey guys, thanks for the awesome responses.

François, thanks for the excellent interpretation. I do have one further question though, the rules at 15.10.1 - C Equipment say:

The extensions must be protected. The bars must have plugs (“embouts”). The extensions of the bars must be positioned in a way that reduces the risks in the case of a fall or collision (or something like that).

I wonder if this is what prevents having bar end shifters? I note that the Ironman France website specifically says that this year bar end shifters will be allowed, suggesting that this is an exception to the normal rule?

Felix, can you e-mail me and let me know if you get a response about the race you’re entering. I’ve just entered a Long Distance race here, Tri Sapin Cublize 2.5km, 93km, 21.5km on 29 June. It’s the French Long Distance Championships and looks awesome, swim in a lake as well and very hilly bike through forests (cool!)

Cheers

Cam

camelpup@hotmail.com

Felix, Cam,

The Tri Sapin is indeed a great race. Two of my friends did it two years ago, and it is well known in France (and french part of Switzerland) for being the most friendly organisation around. Great atmosphere, great race, great course (and hard).

I wanted to do it last year, and this year, but it is the French championships and there are more participants, so it’s not as easy to find the best accomodation and it makes the event bigger and more official (I don’t know if it takes something from the atmosphere of the event of the previous years???).

I may do it next year though, if Felix wants to join the party.

Good luch for the race, Cam.

Laurent

No, never heard of this one. But there is also the Savoy’hard, a medium distance near Aix-les-bains (70kms from Geneva). Supposed to be nice (and hard too).

Are you doing the Iron du Valais ? (I think I’ll do the half)

As for Locarno, I wouldn’t mind doing it, it’s a beautiful place, but I think it’s a pity that it is draft legal, especially for a long course like this. I know that the ride is all flat, but still.

Cheers,

Laurent

I read somewhere that France was selling bike parts to Iraq. Of course they said no!!! it was only weapons, information etc. The French said they would never sell anything to Iraq that wasn’t on the U.N. sanctions list. They ended the denial with “you americans are infidels.”

but I now the US sold a lot of weapons to Saddam especially under the Reagan administration and lifted some limitations on sale of chemical products (used for chemical weapons manufacturing) to Iran and Iraq at the same time.

yep, we know Iraq had WMD, because we still have the receipts…

Hey Camel, I raced in the Rennes olympic distance on Sunday. One of the guys I traveled over with was on the same setup as yours. No problems. The French seem a bit more chilled than organisers in the UK. Even in a biggish race like this with the likes of Beignet (Sp?) et al.

what I meant was please no lecture. For the US sales to Irak just read the Time and their analysis of recently declassified documents. For the WMD I’m still waiting for them to be found (and may be they will be).

No crepes on this trip. Just shot across on the ferry for the day. Live on one of l’Iles Anglo-Normandes (sp?) and frequently pop across to sample the delights of the region and slaughter the language. A bit of a Francophile - a rarity on this forum I suspect.

Pas une rarete totale. Nous rodons…

Dan