Triathlon England are in the process of implementing gearing restrictions for children’s races.

Introduction

Triathlon England are in the process of implementing gearing restrictions for children’s races in the following age groups. Tri Star 2, Tri Star 3 and Youth. The restrictions are being phased in over a 3 year period and follow on similar lines the restrictions imposed by British Cycling. As I understand it discussions have taken place around Tri star 1 and Juniors but no such restrictions are planned for this year or next for those age groups.

The restrictions this year apply to selected races at National level for draft legal races but it is intended that this may extend to tarmac or hard surface races whether draft legal or not.

The South West Position

Following discussions between Dan Salcedo Tri England, Melanie Cumberland the Junior series officer and myself (children’s series technical officer) It was decided that the region be allowed to trial an implementation of the gearing policy at all South West series events held on tarmac surfaces this year. Those races are:

Burnham on Sea none drafting Triathlon 17/4/16

Bath Duathlon none drafting event 7/5/16

Bowood House Triathlon 2/7/16

Also included is our series race at Eton Dornay on 26/6/16 which will serve several other regions, with gear restrictions managed by race organisers and Tri England.

Pre season management and communications

We wanted to ensure that we had a long lead in to the changes so as not to leave parents with too much to absorb and do, prior to the racing season therefore publications and information sharing and education initiatives began in October last year, updates and verbal briefings followed over the winter and spring months.

In order to make these changes as painless as possible we provided not only advice and guidance in addition to the very helpful guides published on the BTF website, but offered assistance in person from the technical officer who was prepared to visit clubs or carry out work for individuals who were unable to understand or implement the changes themselves. Most children are now compliant with the requirements, parents have in the main sought help from SW coaches, educated themselves from the information provided and made the adjustments for themselves or had the work done at their local bike shop.

Update after the first two races

Burnham on Sea put on races for TS1, 2, 3 and Youth. We arrived on site at 7am and set up the roll out area near to registration. 91 children raced who were subject to gearing restrictions, all but 17 were compliant, out of the 17 who were not compliant several of them assured us that the changes had been made but they had not seen the role out area and therefore did not get their bikes checked, most of the others had not read or understood the requirements.

Those who were none compliant raced but the scoring charts for the series showed NGR and they were not awarded points.

At The Bath Duathlon 62 children subject to the restrictions raced, of which only 4 were not compliant with the restrictions.

Practical aspects and lessons learned

At both races we had one roll out area situated near to registration with two persons carrying out the roll outs and two persons checking off the participants after roll out.

At Bath we refined the process further by asking parents to sign a short declaration that their children’s bikes were checked and compliant and that they would ensure that no changes would be made after checking and prior to racing and that they understood that these restrictions would be required for all future races to which the restrictions apply.

In order to help identify bikes which had been checked a small piece of brightly coloured tape was attached to the rear brake cable.

Participants and parents were also told that spot checks would be made at the end of the races and that it was likely that the top 3 in each race would be re checked, although in practice we did not get to check all top 3 finishers.

We told parents in advance of both events that mechanical changes would not be made by ourselves on race day, we did provide advice to one or two and supplied basic tools so that they could carry out the work themselves and have their bikes re tested but we did not want the process delayed or dragged out by getting ourselves involved in mechanical work on race day.

Going forward we intend to check new series entrants at the next restricted race (Bowood Triathlon) but only carry out spot checks and possibly the top 3 in each race.

Danny Symington

Junior series Technical officer.

25/5/16