Proposal 70: Starting and false starts in Road races [ Revision 2 ]
Committee: RoadSubmitted on 2019-05-22
Status: Passed on June 09, 2019
Background
This proposal does not follow from its "own" associated discussion. It follows from Discussion 142 and Proposal 69 in the Track Subcommittee. However, by creating a proposal, a blank discussion is created.
Proposal
OLD RULE:
4B.5.2 Starting
Riders start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support. The Starter will give a four-count start, for example, “One, two, three, BANG!” Alternatively, an electronic starter may be used.
Riders start with the fronts of their tires (forwardmost part of wheel) behind the nearest edge of the starting line. Rolling starts are not permitted in any road race. However, riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may lean before the gun fires, but their wheels may not move forward before the gun fires. Rolling back is allowed, but not forward. Riders may place starting posts in the location most comfortable for them, as long as it doesn’t interfere with other riders.
A rider’s starting time is taken as when their heat begins (when the gun goes off) regardless of when they actually cross the starting line.
4B.5.3 False Starts
A false start occurs if a rider’s wheel moves forward before the start signal, or if one or more riders are forced to dismount due to interference from another rider or other source.
4D.10 Starter
There should be about 3/4 second between each element in the count, with the same amount of time between each of them. This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start. Starters should practice this before the races begin. Timing of the count is very important for an accurate start. This count can be in the local language, or a language agreed upon before competition starts.
As an alternative a start-beep apparatus can be used. In that case we have a six-count start. For example: “beep - beep - beep - beep - beep - buup!” The timing between beeps is one second. The first 5 beeps have all the same frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the racer can easily distinguish this tone from the rest.
4D.11 False Starts
There are several options on how to deal with false starts:
• One False Start Allowed Per Rider:
In case of a false start, the heat is restarted. Any rider(s) who caused their personal first false start may start again. Any rider(s) causing their personal second false start are disqualified.
• One False Start Allowed Per Heat:
In case of a false start, the heat is restarted. For the first false start of a particular heat, all riders may start again. Thereafter, any rider(s) causing a false start are disqualified.
• Time Penalty:
In case of a false start, the heat is not restarted. If a false start occurs by one or multiple riders, these riders receive a time penalty (such as 10 seconds).
If a heat has to be restarted, the Starter will immediately recall the riders, for example by firing a gun or blowing a whistle or any other clear and pre-defined signal.
If the race is started using individual starts or heat starts (see sections 4D.9.1 and 4D.9.2) a time penalty is the recommended option. In the case of a mass start (section 4D.9.3), any option is viable.
NEW RULE:
4B.5.2 Starting
Riders may start mounted, holding onto a starting post or other support, or onto each other. Riders may mount after the start signal, if they wish.
Usually, a start-beep apparatus is used. This provides a six-count start: “beep - beep -beep - beep - beep - buup!” The timing between (the start of) successive beeps is one second. The first five beeps have all the same sound frequency. The final tone (buup) has a higher frequency, so that the competitors can easily distinguish this tone from the rest. The proper moment to start is the beginning of the final tone.
As an alternative, the Starter will give a three-count start before firing a starting gun on the fourth count. Example: “One, two, three, BANG!” The time between each of these elements should be the same, and approximately 3/4 seconds. This allows riders to predict the timing of the gun, for a fair start.
Riders start with the fronts of their tires (forward most part of wheel) behind the edge of the starting line that is farthest from the finish line. Rolling starts are not permitted. Riders may start from behind the starting line if they wish, provided all other starting rules are followed. Riders may lean before the start, but their wheels may not move forward during the start beeps or counting down. Rolling back is allowed.
4B.5.3 False starts
A false start occurs if a rider’s wheel moves forward before the start signal, or if one or more riders are forced to dismount due to interference from another rider or other source. In any case, only the earliest false starter will be assigned a false start, with the associated penalty (warning, time penalty or disqualification).
There are three options on how to deal with false starts:
• Time penalty: In case of a false start, the heat is not restarted. The rider in question receives a time penalty, to be added to their finish time.
• One False Start Allowed Per Heat: After a first false start of a particular heat, all riders may start again. Thereafter, any rider(s) causing a false start are disqualified for this event. This option should not be used without an electronic false start monitoring system."
• One False Start Allowed Per Rider: After a first false start of a particular heat, the rider in question receives a warning, and the heat is restarted with all riders. Any rider(s) causing their personal second false start are disqualified for this event.
If a heat has to be restarted, the Starter will immediately recall the riders, for example by blowing a whistle or other clear and predefined signal. Only the earliest false starting rider gets assigned this false start.
If the race is started using individual starts or heat starts (see sections 4D.9.1 and 4D.9.2) a time penalty is the recommended option. In the case of a mass start (section 4D.9.3), any option is viable. Which option is used in any particular event, as well as the magnitude of the time penalty if applicable, is up to the host, and must be published well in advance.
4D.10 Starter Responsibilities
If a verbal (spoken) count is used, there should be about 3/4 second between each element in the count, with the same amount of time between each of them. Starters should practice this before the races begin. Timing of the count is very important for an accurate start. This count can be in the local language, or a language agreed upon before competition starts.
[Note that the original text of 4D.11 has moved to 4B.5.3. As a consequence, all sections after 4D.10 must be renumbered.]
Body
Much of the false starting rules have moved from the Organisation subchapter C tot the Riders subchapter B.
The order of options been changed to put the most frequently used option at the top.
Probably the only essential change is that a false start is ONLY assigned to the earliest false starter, and not to every riders who rolls forward before the proper start. This is analogous to the rules in Track Racing.
References
https://iuf-rulebook-2018.committees.unicycling-software.com/discussions/142
Discussion
View DiscussionChange Log:
- Revision 2 changed by Klaas Bil (23 May 07:29)
Added the word "may" in the first sentence of 4B.5.2, to avoid conflict with the sentence thereafter.
Made that second sentence plural, similar to the first.- Revision 1 changed by Klaas Bil (22 May 09:57)
Votes on this proposal:
14 out of 18 voting members have voted.
Agree: 14, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.