USA Cycling National Cyclocross
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During the US National Cyclocross Championships held in Kansas City on December 14-16 several categories of Masters racers were deprived of their right to a full and fair competition because the poor actions and decisions of USA Cycling. This petition is asking USA Cycling to remedy the situation in all future Championships.
On Saturday Dec. 15 the following categories were run on the course at the same time: Masters 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+. Because of the vast differences in abilities the faster 50-54 category began lapping the older categories within the first lap. At that time all lapped riders were ordered off the course, many before they had completed more than a single lap.
For those not aware there is nothing in the UCI or USAC rule books that state that riders have to be pulled that have been passed by the leader. The course is (3) three meters wide, (9.82 feet) for a specific reason, to allow passing by other riders.
USA Cycling and the event promoter had been advised in advance that the potential for this problem was very high. Officials on the scene asked for a rescheduling of all categories older than 60 years to alleviate this problem but USA Cycling refused to take action. As a result, many racers were not allowed to complete the full distance.
USA Cycling later rescheduled all 60+ categories to race the following day but no effort was made to publicize this race. As a result, many racers traveled home or were unable to change travel times so that they could compete.
With the explosive growth of cyclocross in the last few seasons it is time for USA Cycling to initiate steps to make the competition more fair.
The undersigned ask that USA Cycling conduct a full study of the incidents in Kansas City with a goal of preventing similar scenarios in the future including:
Assign the start times and group age categories in a manner so as to prevent intermingling of wide abilities whether they are Junior or Masters racers.
Develop guidelines to prevent large field sizes that are not suitable for national championship courses.
In addition we ask USA Cycling to issue their findings and recommendations publicly in the next 60 days.
On Saturday Dec. 15 the following categories were run on the course at the same time: Masters 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+. Because of the vast differences in abilities the faster 50-54 category began lapping the older categories within the first lap. At that time all lapped riders were ordered off the course, many before they had completed more than a single lap.
For those not aware there is nothing in the UCI or USAC rule books that state that riders have to be pulled that have been passed by the leader. The course is (3) three meters wide, (9.82 feet) for a specific reason, to allow passing by other riders.
USA Cycling and the event promoter had been advised in advance that the potential for this problem was very high. Officials on the scene asked for a rescheduling of all categories older than 60 years to alleviate this problem but USA Cycling refused to take action. As a result, many racers were not allowed to complete the full distance.
USA Cycling later rescheduled all 60+ categories to race the following day but no effort was made to publicize this race. As a result, many racers traveled home or were unable to change travel times so that they could compete.
With the explosive growth of cyclocross in the last few seasons it is time for USA Cycling to initiate steps to make the competition more fair.
The undersigned ask that USA Cycling conduct a full study of the incidents in Kansas City with a goal of preventing similar scenarios in the future including:
Assign the start times and group age categories in a manner so as to prevent intermingling of wide abilities whether they are Junior or Masters racers.
Develop guidelines to prevent large field sizes that are not suitable for national championship courses.
In addition we ask USA Cycling to issue their findings and recommendations publicly in the next 60 days.
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Goal
300 signatures
Goal: 100
Latest Signatures
1 January 2016
300.
Bill C
|
City and State
San Angelo, Texas
The official in question was pulling riders way before they were in danger of getting lapped. He (that official) was not only stupid but also seemed to be on a real ego trip. Like many others, I trained hard, traveled a l
1 January 2016
28 December 2015
298.
Cindy K
|
City and State
Boulder, Colorado
This seems blantantly unfair. Please make the necessary changes to allow all catagories to race in a safe and able manner. (design courses to allow for passing and limit number of catagories on the course at one time with
11 December 2015
23 November 2015
296.
Adam J
|
City and State
Athens, GA
Mistakes and problems always occur at a race but this one should have been prevented.
22 November 2015
12 October 2015
11 October 2015
293.
Mike P
|
City and State
Manchester, MA
Competitors travel too far, at too great an expense to be pulled from races. If Nationals cannot be promoted to prevent this, they should not be held at all.
21 August 2015
23 July 2015
22 July 2015
290.
Marsha K
|
City and State
Chenango Forks, NY
This happens frequently due to promoters saving time and money by combining fields. In smaller fields, the officials can keep track of lapped riders and should allow them to continue. If pre-registration numbers indicate
16 July 2015
2 July 2015
24 June 2015
24 June 2015
12 June 2015
25 May 2015
9 April 2015
5 April 2015
30 March 2015
9 March 2015
12 December 2014
15 November 2014
13 September 2014
277.
Mark L
|
City and State
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Too many categories run on the same day. Also there needs to be a separate section fenced off for the Elite riders to race on due to the course breakdown of 2,000 plus riders racing over the same course. And how
10 September 2014
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