According to well informed sources within WTC drafting will be allowed in official Ironman from 2010. as a first test run, pros will be allowed to draft on the bike at this years Ironman World championships in Hawaii. With this change of rules WTC aim at “providing the Ironman experience to more athletes than currently possible”. Without the limits of the drafting rule, the maximum number of participants of official Ironman race will be expanded to 5.000 per race.
According to well informed sources within WTC drafting will be allowed in official Ironman from 2010. as a first test run, pros will be allowed to draft on the bike at this years Ironman World championships in Hawaii. With this change of rules WTC aim at “providing the Ironman experience to more athletes than currently possible”. Without the limits of the drafting rule, the maximum number of participants of official Ironman race will be expanded to 5.000 per race.
Read more here: http://ironman.com/news/draftingrules2010
Yeah, I heard the same but thought the field was going to be limited to 4000 because Mike Reilly’s physician estimated that his vocal chords could only handle 2000 “You Are an Ironman” greetings at the finish. Whit Raymond and the other “subs” will handle the other 2000 finishers. Also, they are seeking bids for catering of the bike rest stops every 25 miles.
This would be hilarious if not for the fact that they already allow drafting.
Michael,
I get that this is a joke, but I do often wonder about what impact this would have on the Pro race - the AG race is a different story entirely.
The knee-jerk reaction is that the bike would turn into a laugher of a leg with everyone sitting in. That might happen, but for more than a few, this would be the worst thing to happen for them. They would have to do something on the bike - something very dramatic. That would mean lots of attacks. That would mean loose alliances would form. Breaks would need to be chased down. If not your day would be done. That would mean lots of action. It’s hard to tell what this would really do to the outcome of the race. My guess is that we would see the same guys in the action and in the hunt past the 1/2 way mark of the run. Ultimatly, you are still going to need to get off that bike and run a low 2:40 or faster marathon to win/place.
What are you talking about…have you seen the Queen K during the first 10 miles?
Or have you been out at IMFLA or Draftwater?
Drafting is clearly legal according to WTC. Jimmy’s guys will be out this year going, “What’s with the 3 bike length spacing…if you aren’t within 3 inches of the P4 in front of ya, I will banish you from ST with my blackberry as I have admin privilidges and with one keystroke, disable your account…”