>>2016 Age Group Draft Legal Triathlon Rules and Equipment Overview
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Updated 11/04/16
NEW: The race will allow shoes at the swim exit.
NEW: The run from the swim exit to Transition and the run course length will not be changed.
Please email questions to [email protected].
You are encouraged to watch the Pre-Race Webinar below:
FAQs:
A full listing of rules of competition and equipment are located at www.triathlon.org. Please review the following listing of frequently asked questions for more information.
Lap Out Rule:
ANSWER: The 2016 USA Triathlon draft legal qualifying events have been designed to eliminate the overlap rule. Athletes will not be lapped out.
Uniforms:
Transition:
QUESTION: I have a cool mat (okay it’s really just a beach towel) that I put under my bike to stand on during Transition that I got from another race. Can I use it in New Orleans?
ANSWER: Mats, towels, carpeting, etc. will not be allowed on the ground under any athlete’s bike in Transition. If found, they will be removed by Officials.
Wet Suits:
ANSWER: If the water temperature is 71.6 F or less you may wear a wet suit during the swim portion of the triathlon. If the water temperature is above 71.6 F you may wear a skin suit – BUT – the skin suit must be worn throughout the entire event (including during the bike and run). An official water temperature will be announced race morning.
Water temperature as of 10/21 was 77 F.
Wheels:
QUESTION: What type of wheels may I use during competition in the Age Group draft legal events?
ANSWER: Wheels must have at least 12 spokes and may not be disc wheels. Additionally, wheels must be of the same circumference – meaning both wheels must be either 650cm or 700cm. (Example: Athletes may have a Zipp 404 on the back wheel and a Hed Jet 6 on the front wheel as long as both wheels 650s or 700s.) There is no minimum or maximum depth of wheel rim.
Aerobars:
QUESTION: My aerobars do not extend beyond the brake levers per ITU elite competition rules. Will they be allowed in the Age Group draft legal events?
ANSWER: Aero bars of any type or length will not be allowed during competition in the Age Group draft legal events in New Orleans.
Bike Frame:
QUESTION: Can I use my TT bike during competition in the Age Group draft legal events?
ANSWER: Generally, if your bike meets the following requirements, it will be allowed for competition:
- The frame of the bike shall be of a traditional pattern, i.e., built around a closed frame of straight or tapered tubular elements, (which may be round, oval, flattened, teardrop shaped or otherwise in cross-section).
- Drop handle bars must be used. Under no circumstances will TT bike “bull horn” style handle bars or aero bars will be permitted. Only drop style handle bars with proper bar end plugs be allowed during competition.
- Wheels must have at least 12 spokes on each wheel. No disc wheels.
Non-traditional or unusual bikes or equipment will not be permitted during competition.
For your reading pleasure, exact bike measurements may be found in ITU Competition Rule for age group draft legal events 5.2 B (ii) located on page 27-28 of the 2016 ITU Competition Rules.
Helmets:
QUESTION: I have a TT aero helmet I use during my non-draft legal triathlon events. Will this be allowed during the events in New Orleans?
ANSWER: The bigger concern with helmets is whether the helmet is unaltered and undamaged, and clearly labeled by the manufacturer with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS) sticker. A helmet will not be allowed for use during competition without the original CPSC sticker in place.
Now, related to aero helmets: Page 4 of the Guides listed above state: All participants shall wear a protective head cover, undamaged and unaltered, which meets or exceeds the safety standards of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and which is clearly labeled by the manufacturer as satisfying such standards, may be used in USAT sanctioned events. “Aero” helmets with an extended, pointed end are not recommended. If you have a question about your helmet please emailed [email protected].
QUESTION: Will I be penalized for removing my bike from the Transition rack during competition with my helmet unbuckled or not on?
ANSWER: Athletes must have their helmet in place and the chin strap buckled when touching their bike. The penalty for this is “Stop and Go” – meaning an Official will ask the athlete to buckle the chin strap or place the helmet on their head and buckle the chin strap if they observe someone without a helmet or the chin strap unfastened. If the athlete does not abide by the Official’s request, the athlete will be disqualified.
Bike Equipment:
QUESTION: I use a hydration system with a tube that comes up in front of my handlebars so I can drink fluids without taking a bottle out of the bottle cage. Is this allowed?
ANSWER: Officials will complete a visual bike check when athletes check into to Transition. If anything appears unsafe or unsecured they will ask for the equipment to be removed or altered.
QUESTION: I put a water bottle holder on my handle bars between the brake levers. Can I use this?
ANSWER: This will not be allowed.
Penalties:
QUESTION: Will penalties be like regular USAT races … where they just add time to your finish time?
ANSWER: Penalties in a draft legal races are assessed by an Official either at the time of infraction, or they are listed by athlete number at the Penalty Tent during the run. When athletes run past the Penalty Tent they must look at the penalty board to see if their race number written on it. If it is on the board, it is their responsibility to stop, tell the Official their race number and wait for the Official to give the go ahead to begin racing again. If an athlete does serve their penalty they will be disqualified. It is the athlete’s responsibility to know where the Penalty Tent is located and to check the penalty board for their race number.