USAT COMMON RULES REVIEW
Many athletes come to races with only a rudimentary understanding of the rules of the sport. Indeed too few have ever read through the Competitive Rules in its entirety. In order to minimize misunderstandings on race day, please take the time to read the following summary of Position Violations, which you probably know as the rules of "drafting".
A Few Helpful Reminders
- Know the entire correct course, swim, bike and run. Going off-course is a DQ unless you re-enter exactly where you left the course. Start in the correct wave.
- Do not discard ANY equipment, clothing, wetsuits, swim caps, gel wrappers, water bottles, etc on the course. You may discard equipment and wrappers at designated feed, equipment or aid zones.
- Do not take any assistance including food and fluids from anyone except official race management personnel. Race officials may help you with mechanical problems on the bike course.
- Headsets, radios, headphones are prohibited on all portions of the course.
- You will not be allowed to start the bike leg without an approved bike helmet that is securely fastened.
- No unofficial support crews or vehicles are allowed on the race course at any time, this is a DQ.
Summary of Position Violations for the Bike Leg
-RIGHT-of- WAY. The rider at the front has the right of way as long as they maintain proper position in the lane. This includes cutting the tangents on corners and when entering and exiting transition. It is the responsibility of the passing rider to do so without crowding or making contact with the other rider(s). You may not pass slower athletes in designated "no passing" zones including the entry and exits to transitions.
-BLOCKING is riding to the left of the lane when you are not actively passing a slower rider.
-POSITION: Ride on the far right side of the lane at all times unless you are actively passing a slower rider. When the cycling course is open to vehicle traffic you must ride on the shoulder or as far right as possible.
-PASSING: Pass on the left of the cyclist in front when it is safe to do so, never on the right.
-When you pull out to pass a slower rider you have fifteen seconds to complete your pass or fall back in line.
-If passed, you are responsible for dropping completely out of the draft zone, even if the passing rider slows down after passing. You may re-pass if you can do so in 15 seconds, if not then wait until you have the speed to do so.
-If you are unable to make your pass in fifteen seconds you must drop back to the rear in the right lane.
-If you attempt to pass on the left but your lane is blocked by a slower rider or riders, call out "passing". Wait for the lane to open and continue to pass on the left if it is safe to do so.
-BEING OVERTAKEN: When the leading edge of the front wheel passes beyond the front wheel of the cyclist in the right lane on a flat course the passed cyclist must fall back out of the draft zone in 15 seconds. If they speed up and attempt to re-pass in the right lane they will receive a time penalty.
-DRAFTING: Keep three bike lengths between yourself and the rider in front (the draft zone).
-VEHICLE DRAFTING: You must be 30 meters behind any vehicle including motorcycles.
General Cycling Rules
- ACCIDENTS: Participants must exercise extreme caution and decrease speed when passing the scene of an accident. A violation of this rule is a Disqualification (DQ).
- TRAFFIC LAWS: Crossing the centerline on an "out and back" course is an automatic DQ when athletes or vehicles are present in the opposing lane(s). If the opposite lane is clear with unlimited sight distance and no athletes, motorcycles, or vehicles are coming toward you may cross the centerline to pass slower riders.
Though Position Violations carry a time penalty for each occurrence, if you are cited for three violations, you will be disqualified. Treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified. All that being said, I hope you have a great race, have lots of fun and achieve all your goals!