5 replies to this topic

[bumfat]

Who the heck was responsible for the start order for the National Championship men and women ITT? In both categories,the top few seeds are lumped together, in some cases next to each other. Whatever happened to the principle of separating these riders by several minutes?

[abc1234]

principle? best riders always go last. dont you ever watch the tour?

[mstrcodhead]

principle? best riders always go last. dont you ever watch the tour?

This is not the Tour, stage race starting positions are different. For 'one day' time trials, top seeded riders should be placed in each ten minute starting time and lesser seeded riders are on the five minute mark.

[abc1234]

and how, mr codhead, do you propose that these riders be 'seeded'?... maybe by category? looks like tuft is a RME.2

[DavidBrent]

Riders should be seeded in order of increasing speed. This helps ensure that top riders have similar climate conditions since they ride together in a narrow window. Also it helps minimize the amount of traffic a top rider has to deal with as they catch slower riders since the top seed should have similar speeds (also ideally this top seed also gets larger -2minute- time gaps). Defending champion always starts last if present.

The exception to this is that teams (trade and provincial) should have their riders staggered (ideally into waves as at Gatineau) and not be placed back to back. This allows for their teams to better support them.

The fact that the U23's and elites are all jumbled together in the men's race is inexcusible, if weird weather is to roll in it could have a huge impact on the race as some U23's ride at vastly different times. Its less of an issue for the elite men were the top seed is more predictable. (Svein is going to win, sorry to ruin the surprise).

[bumfat]

Some good points, especially the mixing of the elite and espoir categories.. However, my original question was WHO did the seeding -the chief commissaire, the organiser, the CCA delegate?