Rule of the Month: Overtaken : trifuel.com

Rule of the Month: Overtaken

Source: Editor

Explained by:
Jim Flint
USAT Rocky Mountain Regional Officials Coordinator
Jim.flint@cdt.cendant.com

5.10 Position Fouls.
g. Being Overtaken. When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist. In no case, however, shall a participant move into the path of another participant possessing the right of way.

Ok, what does this rule mean
Many times we penalize people for this rule and it�s maybe the most commonly violated rule at an Ironman distance race. People after several hours on the bike are kind of in a zone and when someone passes they don�t really think about dropping back, but just keep pedaling along, maybe following a bike and a half back for 45 seconds or even more. This is a huge advantage riding along in the drafting zone. You must make the effort to drop back out of the zone when passed. DO NOT attempt to re-pass before dropping out of the zone within that 15 second time period. I�ve seen gung ho riders say �whoa that person�s not going to pass me� even though the other persons front wheel has gone by theirs. They jump up out of the saddle and attempt to re-pass. We won�t even wait 15 seconds to penalize you if we see that. That is an immediate penalty as the rule says you must IMMEDIATELY move to the rear and out of the zone. Don�t zone out and just cruise along. Pay attention. If someone passes you, at least stop pedaling, sit up and even apply the brakes if you have to but DON�T just cruise along in the draft zone for more than 15 seconds. And for goodness sake, be aware of the motorcycles behind you. You can�t imagine the number of penalties we see committed right in front of us.

Next
March: 5.10A Illegal Position: What does that really mean. Where CAN you ride and not get a penalty. It might be a bit farther out in the lane than you think.

April: 5.10E Passing: Hint, this rule does NOT say, Attempting Passing. Like Yoda said, �either do or do not, no try�.

If you have any questions about this rule or others you may have encountered in racing, please describe the situation and your point of view on why you should not have been penalized and send to info@trifuel.com and we'll have Jim field some of the more common questions in an "Ask the Official" series.