Transition Zone
ASK AN OFFICIAL...
WITH USA TRIATHLON COMMISSIONER OF OFFICIALS CHARLIE CRAWFORD
Scott Richardson: What do you do when you try to pass and the other rider speeds up to prevent you?
Charlie Crawford: Once you have entered the draft zone of a leading cyclist, you must complete your pass in no more than 15 seconds. In nearly all cases that is not difficult since the passing cyclist is obviously going faster than the cyclist to be overtaken. However, occasionally there are challenges to the pass, which are completely legal. The leading cyclist has the right of way and does not relinquish the right of way until the leading edge of his front tire is passed by the leading edge of the passer’s front tire. The cyclist with right of way may speed up or slow down at will and the passer must complete his pass within the 15 seconds. The best way to ensure an unchallenged pass is to begin the pass by entering the draft zone, keeping to the right hand side of the lane directly behind the cyclist to be passed and move to the left to complete the pass at the last moment. That way the overtaken cyclist does not have time to react to the pass as the passer rushes by.
Wendy Woessner Nitschke: Is there a rule about barefoot running? I hear rumors that there is no rule, but that you need to check with race directors. Just wondering if I need to purchase shoes or not.
Charlie Crawford: The short answer is that you should always be prepared and have good running shoes. While the Competitive Rules do not explicitly require shoes on the run, many, if not most running courses have a variety of hazards — broken glass, nails, hot pavement, etc., and there is a rule against endangering oneself. While some race directors might state that their run courses are free of hazards, most would not. If a race director is not willing to claim the running course safe for bare feet, the official may assess a disqualification penalty on the offending athlete.
Have a question for the next issue? Email us at
communications@usatriathlon.org with “Ask an official” in the subject line. You can find answers to many of your rules questions at
usatriathlon.org/rules.
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