Rules Discussion #6 rule 5.10 Position Fouls

This section is about position fouls on the bike. These are the most commonly cited penalties. Rule #1. If you hear a motorcycle and you think you are close... pass. Rule #2 If the official is riding next to you writing down things... do something different.

5.10 Position Fouls. In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance. While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. A variable time penalty shall be imposed for any violation of this section.

a. Illegal Positioning. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, while on the cycling course, no participant shall permit his drafting zone to intersect with or remain intersected with the drafting zone of another cyclist or that of a motor vehicle. With respect to a motor vehicle ( including authorized race vehicles), it is the athlete’s responsibility to move out of the vehicle’s drafting zone or to continually communicate to the vehicle to move away.

b. Definition of Drafting Zone. The term "drafting zone" shall refer to a rectangular area seven (7) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the "drafting zone" is a rectangular area extending 15 meters to each side of the vehicle and 30 meters behind the vehicle.

c. Right-of -Way. A participant is generally entitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in the position first without contacting another participant. When taking a position near another participant, however, a cyclist shall not crowd the other participant and shall allow reasonable space for the other participant to make normal movement without making contact.

d. Blocking. Cyclists who have established the right of way must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant.

e. Passing. A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached alters speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.

f. Position. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.

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.

h. Exceptions. A participant may enter the drafting zone without penalty only under the following conditions:
(1) When entering the drafting zone from the rear, closing the gap, and overtaking all within no more than 15 seconds.
(2) When cyclist reduces speed for safety reasons, for course blockage, for an aid station, for an emergency, when entering or exiting a transition area, or when making a turn of 90 degrees or more; or
(3) When USA Triathlon or the Head Referee expressly excludes a section of the bicycle course from the position foul rules because of overly narrow lanes, construction, detours, or a similar reason.

This section is the one that everyone hears about but it's important to understand the nuances of what is happening on the course so you can avoid penalties. I have heard many competitors talk about working together on the course and saying it's smart racing. As noted in the first paragraph it's cheating.

...participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct

If you are working with someone the other riders know it and they know you are cheating. The problem that arises is that there is no specific penalty for that as far as time goes. However admitting to that probably constitutes a violation of Rule 3.6

3.6 Penalties and Prohibited Conduct. Penalties, including disqualification and suspension, may be imposed upon race participants and/or members of USA Triathlon who violate any of these Competitive Rules or who solicit, encourage, or assist a violation of these Rules. Except as otherwise provided in these Rules, the specific penalty to be imposed in any given case shall depend on the nature and severity of the violation as determined by the Head Referee or USA Triathlon. The following penalties may be imposed for a violation of these Rules:
a. Assessment of a time penalty
b. Disqualification
c. Written reprimand or censure
d. Monetary fines
e. Suspension from membership in USA Triathlon (including retroactive suspension), and
f. Permanent expulsion from USA Triathlon

If you are wearing matching jerseys and a ref sees you doing the 14 second draft pass thing you can't get a time penalty until you break a rule with an associated time penalty however you are playing with fire. This is how it might play out. Let's say you and your friend finish 1-2 and you were working together to "legally draft". Numbers 3-4-5 come up to the ref and are freaking out. One of them may demand that you get a DQ for violation of 3.6. You may admit to working together assuming that you didn't violate the draft, overtaken or position rule but get DQ'ed anyway. A lot could be riding on those spots. The closer you get to the podium the more likely it is that you are going to get flak. Depending on the race there could be money, prizes, world championship slots etc...

5.10a is drafting. As I mentioned this is a bit nuanced. I'll explain it from the officials view. it's hard to tell drafting from the back. You really need to be on the side to see if they are too close. However as you come upon riders who are close together it's important to know how they got there. Riders inside the draft zone may be drafting, overtaken and dropping back or passing. You cannot call drafting unless you know how they got where they are. When you are on the course you see drafting but it's easier to tell as you are going a similar speed and in a direct line of sight not diagonally. When you enter the draft zone YOU HAVE TO PASS. No other option. You have 15 seconds to get your wheel in front of theirs. As soon as your wheel crosses theirs you have passed. They must drop out. This means that when you enter in the draft zone the other rider can sprint off and cause you to be penalized. That's legal and smart but that would make some people angry. Be courteous at all times and try to avoid sucking people in to punish them.

5.10b is the drafting zone. This is important. Notice that it STARTS at the front wheel which means it's the front bike for 1 length and then 2 empty lengths then you. Not The front bike plus 3 (that is true for WTC races). Additionally the zone extends 1 meter to each side of the bike. So you could pass on many courses without ever entering the draft zone.

5.10c You may not crash into someone else nor should they crash into you. Keep this is mind when re-entering the course from the woods or aid stations. People going straight have right of way just like in a car.

5.10d blocking- this occurs when you are riding somewhere other than to the right of the lane. Exceptions occur due to objects in the road, passing, bad pavement and cornering to name a few. Just stay to the right when you can and you'll be fine. This means you cannot ride side by side with your friend (even though you are not in the draft zone).

5.10e passing- if you are passing you must not cause a position foul. You are not allowed to force the other rider off the road, crash into them or cross the yellow line while passing. If you can't do it safely you can't do it.

5.10f This goes with blocking but is cited for just riding to the left. When I am descending at high speed (>45mph) I move to the middle of the lane for my safety. I want options if something happens at that speed. The faster I go the more towards the center I go. If someone has the need to pass me at greater than 50mph near the center line... good for them but that may net them some penalties.

5.10g overtaken- This is a big one. Once the front wheel of another rider crosses yours you need to drop "to the rear and out of the drafting zone". It doesn't matter what happens you need to get out of the zone even if the person who passed you drops down to 3mph. You won't likely get a penalty for that but you may so keep that in mind. Here's an example of the last time I called this penalty. 3 Riders are together when I came up from the back. Rider 3 decides to make a move and passes rider 1 and 2. Rider 2 sees the opportunity and jumps right on the wheel of rider 3 passing rider 1 also. Now the clock started when rider three's front wheel crossed rider 2's. Rider three passed rider one and continued on while rider two did the same. However rider 2 did not wait for 3 to go and was not able to drop out of the draft zone in less than 15 seconds therefore was overtaken. Use coins on the table if you need to think this one through. Sometimes riders are stunned to be passed and immediately try to take the position back. This also results in overtaken. This is rarely called on uphills and never called in corners. If for some reason the rider who passed you suddenly jammed on the brakes for something coming up that would also likely not triger the penalty.

5.10h is pretty self explanitory. If you have questions. Ask them. No question too small. The best time to ask is now but before a race is pretty good too. The worst time to ask is after your name gets on the pink sheet.