|
|
|
Last Updated: 2 Apr 2018 - 8:45:17 PM |
ARE IRISH RIDERS GETTING A FAIR DEAL?
By email to Letters2006@irishcycling.com
28 Mar 2006,
|
Email this article
|
The latest responses to the points raised on Monday afternoon are below. The original letters are at the bottom of the page.
First of all I must congratulate Shane Stokes and Irishcycling.com for facilitating such an interesting debate, which is clearly important to a lot of people, especially those directly involved in riding the races. Clearly some of these riders feel out of their depth, and with good reason in many
cases.
The C category was introduced to cater for the pure beginner who wished to sample the sport and for the returning cyclist with restricted training time or the cyclist who may not be so talented in regard to physical abilities.
However it has taken on a life of it's own and gradually moved into an area where the distances have increased so that Cs are now racing with riders in higher categories and so on.
As a previous contributor has said there is obviously A Category riders who should really be B category and probably a few B category riders who should be A category; I am sure the same could be said for the C and B category.
Why must riders be upgraded?
Why can't riders remain in whatever category suits them, for example in the amateur soccer leagues there are ex league of Ireland players playing week in week out. Once they are officially cleared to play in a particular league they are fully accepted in that league. They don't get pushed back up to league of Ireland if they win a few matches or score a few goals.
I think there needs to be opportunities for riders to opt to remain in a particular category, where they are happy competing and which fits in with their physical abilities, lifestyle and time available to them for training regardless of results / points they might gain.
Riders should be able to apply to stay in a certain category and not be considered for upgrading if they feel that they only have the ability to race in that particular category.
What about the pothunter?
There will always be pothunters, everyone knows some riders pull brakes to avoid getting points so that they will not be upgraded before races like the Gorey etc.
However if the rider opts to remain in a particular category free from upgrading they should have restrictions put on the races that they can compete in. For example if a rider opts to remain a C, and not be considered for upgrading, races like the Gorey 3 Day, Donegal 3 day and similar events would be closed to them.
The same with the B riders who wish to remain B category and not be considered for upgrading. Let them remain B riders who can forever remain a B but they would not be allowed to ride the FBD Ras, Tour of Ulster, Ras Mumhan, Senior 1/2 classic races and similar events.
A system like this would cater for the ambitious riders who have the talent and time to progress to higher levels through the points system and the not so talented riders with restricted time for training who can opt to remain outside the points system.
Mixing the categories is also masking a really serious problem. The combined races are also masking a serious problem that is working against getting really good elite riders in the near future. The amount of Junior riders racing is at crisis point! This is not so noticeable as they race with the C category - Vets and ladies .
The talent pool is reaching a point where the number of level riders who can compete at international level is getting lower and lower. Maybe this is an issue of equal or more importance than the categories that should be focusing minds.
Paddy Doran
Hi there,
Just a short letter to congratulate the whole Bray Wheelers club on yet another safe and obviously well planned event. From my own personal experience this year, both the Bray races in 2006 have been the safest for not only the cyclists but , ultimately, everybody. Well recognisable lead cars, (and plenty of them), about 3 marshals on each junction etc.
The roads are getting busier, there is no doubt about it, but the sheer volume of oncoming traffic on even small secondary roads is massive, so I would just like to see those organisers who do plan it out well getting credit for it.
Regards,
David McQuaid
Hi,
I read with great interest these letters and agree with some of the comments. Having raced as a 3rd Cat rider last year I do think a lot can be done to improve racing not only for 3rd cats but for everyone involved. However I don't think there will ever be a situation where everyone is happy. From my experience in both taking part in races and being involved in organising a couple there are two main issues which could be addressed which would go a long way to improving things for all cyclists.
1. Better Grading of Cyclists
2. Better management of races.
It is evident to every one involved that the current grading system has it's faults. For example - a good 3rd cat rider can find himself nearly been upgraded after 3 Park gallops, the only thing that saves him are incorrect placing by the race organisers at the finish or the Cycling Ireland Office not receiving the results of the race and there for not awarding him the points. Both these situations are all good for the 3rd cat rider who doesn’t want to be upgraded but if he is unlucky he could be a 2nd cat rider and way out of his league.
However it does show up one of the main issues which people have already commented on. A good system needs to be found for taking places at the finish line. Although photo finish is useful it really needs to work in conjunction with either frame numbers or shoulder numbers. Otherwise you are relaying on the knowledge or the people operating the equipment to figure out the club jersey colours of riders, hence the normal first 8 over the line and maybe a guess at the unplaced riders. If a proper system was introduced at the finish line, placing of riders up to the first 15-20 overall and first 5 in each category could be easily taken. This would allow organisers to award more prizes and points at each race. Combine this with a better points system and you could easily separate cyclists into different categories. Imagine a system that could award every cyclist who finished the Des Hanlon 1 point. This would give a true picture of who the strong riders are.
One possible solution could be the use of RFID tags embedded into each riders race number or attached to there bike. This RFID tag could be scanned using RFID readers as they passed the finish line. If you do a quick Google search on RFID and Cycling there seems to be one company in Austrialia that has already developed a system like this.
Better Finishing Equipment = More Prizes = More Points awarded = Better Grading = Happy cyclists
In relation to the running of races, it can be very frustrating to arrive at the start of a race only to find it has changed from what had been advertised. I can however understand how some races have to be changed but I feel this is mostly down to clubs over stretching them selves trying to accommodate all cyclists and categories. If clubs are unable to get the required number of car drivers and stewards they will be forced to combine races. However I think clubs should be forced to hold races on roads that are suitable for the predicted numbers turning up for a race but then again how do you predicted the numbers. I think the key is designing a grading system that will guarantee the right numbers turning up for races. This might allow race organiser the option of running races for one particular category which would be more manageable and safer for the cyclists.
I would really like to see Cycling Ireland establish a task group to investigate finish line technology and a way of recording placing accurately. I really think a better grading systems is the key to many of the problems but without accurate recording of race results this is impossible. I would have no problem paying a slightly higher sign on fee if it was going towards better recording of race results, more prizes and better grading of cyclists.
Regards,
John Keaty
Excellent article.
It's about time that somebody wrote something definitive on this issue, as it is a problem. From a 'C' rider's perspective I think it is black and white: if a rider can go and compete in and successfully finish a race like the Gorey or the Corkman then they are not a 'C' standard rider. These are tough competitions and although they may not be 'A' standard events they are contested at a very high level. If a rider wants to race a stage event like this then that should be their motivation for putting in the extra training to get out of the third category group.
As far as I believe the 'C' cat races should be separate as much as is possible. I realise there is an argument that if they don't mix it with the big boys then the thirds will not improve their racing ability, however not everyone aspires to being upgraded. In an ideal world we'd all love to be able to compete at the highest level. But the fact is that most 'C' riders, at least ones that remain there long-term, are riders who love cycling as much as anyone else but who don't have the time and/or the talent to put in the serious effort and hours on the bike to succeed in racing the faster paced, longer events.
Surely it is in Cycling Ireland's and all it's affiliated clubs and members to cater for this sizeable number of competitors who want to turn up to a race every Sunday, or even just the occasional Sunday, knowing that they are in with a shout. In summation, there is no novice or introductory category in Irish Cycling and even when a cyclist gets upgraded the majority will disappear into the abyss of a second cat, wholly disheartened and often quit the sport.
Obviously cycling is a very tough sport and nobody wants a race that is little more than a leisure spin. I don't think anything is going to change overnight, but maybe something that is akin to Sunday League football is how third category cycling should be treated - people still take their sport seriously but at a lower standard. Essentially what all cyclists want is to be able to enjoy their sport.
Yours,
Philip Adams
Hi there,
I was amazed to read that bunch sprints are being determined by spectators! Finish line video equipment isn't prohibitively expensive anymore…. Even the smallest races here in Georgia (US) use video equipment. The equipment is not owned by the race organizer/club. Rather, it is hired from a third party.
We have 5 categories here. However, there is often combining of categories. The big series here is the Georgia Cup. 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 4/5 are the groupings. A cat 4 for instance can chose to ride 3/4 or 4/5. Veterans can ride their senior category - we have some that ride 1/2. They can compete in the Vets category also, if they want. The strong guys do this and take in some respectable prise money. I race cat 4/5 - I'm just starting to get into racing again. There is a huge difference of class in the field, with newbies like me competing against 4's who are a point away from being 3's. (I would think that most 3's here are equivalent to high B's in Ireland). The USCF have rules to limit field sizes for races where 4's and 5's race together: 75 sign-ons, then the registration closes. It's dangerous with the difference in abilities, but at least the field size isn't too large.
So are new riders getting a fair deal? Maybe, maybe not. It's always going to be tough for beginners. Esp with combined starts. Same goes for those that have just moved up C to B or B to A. I really don't see that it is any different over here.
I think a bigger issue is poorly organized races. Vote with your feet. If your local race in Dublin is badly organized/doesn't publish their info on a website/doesn't use finishline video, or whatever - drive. Is there an alternative race elsewhere? It seems you get concurrent races most weekends. A race in the North really isn't a far drive away if you live in Dublin or the midlands. You don't have to put up with the frustration of badly organized events. I know there is the argument that these races are all staged by volunteers, etc. So?
All the best,
David Hicks
Dear Sir,
You basically have two camps. There is the "cycling is a tough sport, if you can't keep up, get out... I remember when we used to cycle 3 days in the snow just to get to a race" and then the other view, which happens to my view, that not all rides are elite (by the very definition of elite) and we should cater for a all racing categories to nurture gifted riders through to pro tour status. - A large base to the pyramid has a higher peak.
I would argue that elite Irish cycling is better shape now than even that at the Kelly/Roche era, based on breadth of elite athletes riding in UCI continental teams, and even pro tour teams, with David McCann leading the Asian tour and realistic chances of riders in the Tour de France. There is the great development system with the Sean Kelly house in Belgium, Gary Nugent is going a great job coaching young juniors on the track and woman's cycling now is starting to develop. However, the grass roots C riders and more riders racing into their 40s and 50s feel that they are not being catered for. With more riders racing, there is more money in the coffers to help develop the elite programs. What is needed is a similar professional approach to open racing as has been applied to the elite/development squads.
As some of the previous letters point out, being new to the sport can be difficult. Last year when I raced back home the official directions to the race were "Same sign on as last year" We need to be more professional and take advantage of the technology that is available in the 21st century. Directions to the races, course description and distances should be clear. Each region should have its own photo finish equipment and points can be allocated to the 1st 10 in each cat. (ensuring the racing continues after scratch has caught and jumped clear of the limit group).
The Cycling Ireland licensing is now computerised, so it should be no large leap to calculate rankings and upgrades from photo finish results. With more upgrade points on offer, category 1 and 2 rider numbers should increase, leading to large bunches for these groups, making it easier to sit in if your not up to full fitness and the possibility of separate cat 2 races. If 100 riders show up for a race, it is better to have an A and a B race than one handicap event. It just takes planning from the organisers.
"A" riders complain that when they are not catered for in some of the races this season, but the other way to look at it as that a lot of the combined races realistically mean that the C riders do not have a race that weekend either. Developing the base will ensure that the numbers are there for separate A races in the future.
Best regards,
Kieran Lynch
I agree that beginning cyclists are getting a raw deal with the predominance of combined/handicap races at the moment. I also think that in order for them to develop as racers, that a certain percentage of races should indeed have them in with other categories, where they can see what is needed to win.
I also noted that in a recent race, the B category not only had to race against A’s, they actually started with them. Not even a handicap. Should each B finisher not receive points on their licence for riding so well?
I think there should be a balance. No changes to distances at short notice. For example, the Des Hanlon is known to be a very tough, long race for every category. Knowing this in advance we all headed there and were greeted with excellent organisation, clear instructions and very good marshalling. It was clearly planned well in advance and was held on a regular circuit. This race would lose its image, in my opinion, if it was shortened.
We still need some tough races. But more importantly, our beginners and those returning to the sport need to be catered for. These people are the loyal ones who fork out their hard earned cash and form the main bulk of membership.
In order to encourage organisers to hold separate races perhaps Cycling Ireland could subsidise expenses for the host club?
Maybe raise the level of points required to get upgraded and offer points rather than cash for a higher number of placings in a race? I don’t really think any Irish cyclist is competing for the prize money? Actually, change the word ‘prize’ in that sentence to ‘petrol’.
There are a lot of cyclists out there who might not feel like throwing away 115 euro next January. Those of us trying to introduce new riders are finding it harder and harder to encourage them to persevere.
I wrote a letter to the Federation in my capacity as Secretary about two years ago, expressing my concern for beginning riders. They said then they'd look into it. Perhaps they are still looking...
Yours in Cycling,
Andy Lakes
Hi,
I think the biggest problem with Irish cycling is really the seeding system. There are so many riders with A licences that should not have A licences, and I'm pretty sure the same goes for other categories. Riders get upgraded at the bare minimum of points needed, yet the differences between the standards is often too great. Ie a guy who gets upgraded from 3 to 2 will undoubtedly get a hammering from the two's, also there are "professional" category 2 riders who ride year in year out not to get prizes so they can stay in this category.
Secondly a rider who has International experience or who wishes to race Internationally should not be placed in the same bunch as riders recently upgraded. There is no way possible for the riders to compete against semi-professional riders who are at a completely different level. Last Sunday’s race in Carlow proved that fairly clearly with the time differential between the groups as the riders crossed the line.
I suggest anyone wishing to compete internationally should be handicapped in all races over 100km; this would improve the riders, force cooperation to pull back the deficit and make the rest of the race ride harder to stay away. Based on the course, difficulty etc. it would improve these riders in the long term and encourage the clingon's to race.
I suggest that Cycling Ireland introduces a "Timing System" and work our national ranking off this. This would indicate who should be classed in each category, and would take the category system out of its current form and add many benefits. Realistically, driving 2 hours to race 30 miles is a waste of time, it wont improve anyone and it wont enable them to compete against better competition in the future. Based on a timing system, its very easy for a guy to compare himself to his competitors afterwards if he has a result to look at to compare, and it gives a guy or girl something to work towards for improving themselves.
In South Africa all races are 100km + and the seeding from each group varies by 5 minutes, so everyone is fairly categorised. Everyone must wear a chip, no chip no result, no prize money. It makes it easier for the officials, 5 commissaires can handle 1000+ racing cyclists.
There is no soft racing for juniors; they race with the vets 40+, and the ladies race with the 30+ licensed riders. There is No prize money unless each category race under a specific time.
Cycling in South Africa is huge, recently the "Argus" took place with 28,333 riders going to the start line, the objective being "personal best time". There was no prize money except for elite and licensed open riders. No one complains about the lack of prize money.
I also suggest taking the prize money away from the category 3 riders. It will encourage those who race to race, and have the guys who just want to have fun over 40 miles to have fun. I don’t understand why these guys are complaining you simply could ride your bike at weekends to race 40 miles. Let’s see sense here…
Bill Moore
Hi,
I fully agree with points made in relation to S3 racing this year. Friends and myself have been doing S3 races for past 2 years. I felt before that a lack of S3 races was problem but this year in first month there is very few S3 races and this is the same in the last month or so of the racing season. In between this there are few but not many as we feel there should be.
The points regarding the distance being increased are also such a valid point. I myself have tried calling the night before to confirm race distance etc with those holding race, to make sure there were no changes, only to find again that this was changed on the line without any notice.
I do feel this can be run better than at present and the experience would be even greater than it is. I do understand that the setting up of races is not easy but these things are important to those involved and can affect the outcome of many a day.
I do, as others, put lot of time and effort even at this level and would never consider giving up. But in order to increase the numbers and improve the sport, I would ask if people coming into sport would also feel the same?
Regards,
Philip Morrissey
Hi there,
I'm not sure I agree that 60miles is too far for a Cat 3 races. All over the world there are "fun" events in which people of all ages take part over courses much longer than this. For example in South Africa, there's a yearly event called the Argus Cycle Tour which is 105km long and 35, 000 people of ages from 7-80 take part. Believe me, every one of them races that course to beat last year's time (each rider is individually timed). In Europe, cyclosportifs are even longer.
A race, by its nature, is a group of people of varying degrees of ability trying to get to the end as quickly as their condition allows them to. There will always be people dropped from the start / in the middle and right at the end (me being of the former type). Surely by now most cyclists know that this is not one of the easiest sports around and by choosing to go to a race you SHOULD know that you will suffer at some stage.
Maybe it should be a case of picking one’s battles rather than worrying about other riders being too strong. Maybe organising more races in your local area and building up your "racing legs" before entering a bigger event, as a previous writer mentioned, is the way to go.
Another writer mentioned racing in South Africa and as I am from there and keep in close contact with the sport there, I can tell you that there are similar complaints there too (ex-pros who turn 40, race in the vets group and ride everyone into the ground), although the setup there is by age group: Junior 16-18,u-23,elite23-29,subvet30-35 and so on, which would make it a more level field. Maybe that's the answer?
My personal belief is that there is a much bigger need for the organizational aspect of races to be sorted out. Not being from Ireland, I am not familiar with a lot of places and the amount of information attached to races is lacking in a big way. Half the time, it's by sheer luck that I find the start of a race.
Keep them spinning!
Gianni, Wexford
Dear IrishCycling.com
Just a weigh in of international experience. Many (most that I’ve raced in--more than a handful) have BOTH category and an age/gender class. So Juniors and vets would be a cat 1, 2, or 3. In fact, in US, they have 1-5. Similar France.
This would also make handicapping a bit more fair/easier, as ironically, the cat 1 scratch often has only 20 or so riders.
A word too on distances, though. Distances NEED to be proportional to the difficulty of the race/size of field. Therefore the Navan guys did the logical thing to increase the distance on the day given that they had more than they expected signing on. All these guys wishing for a less than 50 mile race with a 125-plus man field wouldn't think it so great if they went down at 35mph in the (to be expected) 100+ C-cat bunch gallop. Again, experience abroad (where roads aren’t so narrow or often wet) where distances can be quite short even with good fields shows that this substantially increases the danger of the race.
Finally, safety is an issue that probably needs addressing in terms of having more commissaires, penalties for dangerous riding, etc, as roads are getting more busy, etc.
Cheers
Greg Swinand
At last a few people have decided to speak out about this particular topic which has always been a sore point with me. I am the South African who one of your previous letter writers refers to and, yes, I always did think the way racing is currently structured does absolutely nothing to encourage new people to the sport. It’s about time drastic changes were made if cycling is to survive in Ireland and if another Sean Kelly is to be produced. Before looking at how cycling is structured in another country just have a look at how the IVCA structures its racing, in my opinion it is the best run sporting body in the country. There is never anybody out of their depth and also very few crashes due to the fact that nobody is chewing their bars trying to hang on and thereby possibly causing a crash.
I started Longford CC in 2002 with about 25 riders and today there is no club due to fellas becoming disillusioned with the structure of racing. I’m sure there are lots of men and women out there who are just too fast to tour and just not up to the speed of racing especially when u a thrown into a race with juniors and ex-cyclists making a return to the sport as a C cats. You do not have a chance in hell!!!
CI should have a chat with the likes of Bill Moore and the recently returned Murphy&Gunn team as to how structured cycling is in so called Third World country like South Africa. I can already hear people saying, “sure Ireland doesn’t have the population of South Africa,”…and, yes, they are right but Ireland is a changing country. And why shouldn’t cycling change, especially when you consider the amount spent firstly on a bike, gear, a licence and the cost of getting to and from a race especially when you live out of Dublin.
Come on CI, its time for change...
Gerald Francis
Ex Chairman Longford CC
I don’t see the fuss here,
Why don’t we have a D cat now also? As it is too many so called A" licences have been issued. Last year’s Rás results prove this, 98% OF B’s should be C’s, anyway.
As it is I am an A, yet really I should only be a B cat rider as with work and life off the bike daily chores which incorporate life as we know it. We cannot expect to be at a top level, so why we get 1st cat licence I really don’t know, I am not allowed a 2nd cat,
I think personally it is because we have lost contact with what a good standard of racing is?
I mean we have 2nd and 3rd cat riders complaining about the distances in races , is this not a wake up call that these people cant see themselves, like a self proclamation that they do not have the training done or the time to do it and that they should have a 4th cat licence and that a 1st cat licence should be for someone who can consistently be a top 20 finisher in the Rás stages etc,
I know we need more numbers for the peloton, but we need to have a good think about the standard we are personally at re; fitness etc
I feel also that if the Fed office feel it is ok to give a 1st cat licence to some body who can only train twice a week, this to me says we don’t know where our standard nationally is,
I do know that by the time the Rás finishes this year, we will see where we stand. But then we will fade back to dream world again and start moaning about how long races are etc but we don’t see the work needed or face and do the work needed to progress in a most difficult of sports,
So bring on the 4th cats , this cat can allow for people that want to race 30miles @ 22miles average speed and then we won’t need training. Put the juniors with the 2nd and so called 1st cats only, so that they can see what a bad junior race in Europe would be like?!!!!!
A bewildered,
Mehall Fitzgerald
Dear Sir,
I am a Vet rider of 47 years of age. I have been a member of the IVCA for the last 3 years & had not ridden any open races since my return to the sport 3 years ago.
I recently rode the Cycleway’s Cup event in Navan because as I had taken it to be a 50k race for juniors, Vets & Cs, as this is what it had been promoted as in the calendar. Why did the organisers decided to make it 80k, without even putting notice to this on the Cycling Ireland website prior to the event?
I have to agree with the comment that Enda Smyth has made re having separate races for the Cs, especially when the numbers for this event were so very large (125+). The race was stopped shortly after the start mainly because the field was far too big & the Cs should have had their own race. I do feel this is a way of the organisers saving on prize money, by combining categories together. I think safety should be priority & if organisers are not willing to run separate category races maybe we should look to limiting the number of riders in the race i.e. first 60 or 80 to sign on? (Look what happened in Dundalk).
Finally I noticed that there was no vets prize given in this event but there was an unplaced juniors prize (1st 8 only regardless of cat). Why is there a trophy given to the senior event & not the combined event?
Best regards
Brendan Kennedy
Hi there,
Shane’s comments and that of Enda Smyth struck a cord with me. I’m one of the many “Prodigal Sons” to the sport of cycle racing. Why I returned to the sport is that I’m blessed to be living in the South-East where there are several clubs combining to run handicap races starting off as short as 17 miles early in the season. I completed my first open race in Carrick-On-Suir last week and the first race of the season after a 13 year gap. For those in the know this race was run at the same length as the 1st & 2nd category riders of 63 miles. I heard the reason that the combined race was extended was due to some contenders complaining about having short races before the Gorey 3-day.
I agree with your comments – 63 miles was too long. Things aren’t what they used to be where 3rd category used to ride with 1st cats from the start. I want to compete with some sort of knowledge that I have a chance of success, however small. People such as myself returning to the sport after many years don’t have the physical ability as we once may have had or indeed the time to attempt to achieve this ability.
On a similar note there seems to be an increasing group of veterans who in my opinion need to be categorised. The well known “Super Vets” or 1st category riders just turned 40 are at a different ability to the elder members or life-long 3rd category riders but seem to compete on the level playing field again once hitting this age. Maybe there’s scope to introduce categories of vets??
Regards,
Alan Rossiter,
Wexford Wheelers
I don’t necessarily disagree with anyone’s comments on 3rd cats being fodder. A 1st cat will probarbly walk all over a 3rd cat but I think change must come from within. Cycling Ireland do not run the races, the clubs do. So if riders want to see a different system it will only come as a result of a change in the CI rules to force the clubs hands or petitioning the clubs running the races. CI cannot change the rules on something like this outside of the AGM so we are left with the latter option.
Taking this approach you should look to your own club and not expect the club down the road to put on a 3rd cat race for you!! There are plenty of clubs that never run a race and plenty of these clubs have sizeable membership. Meanwhile other clubs both big and small are carrying more than their fair share of the work. The smaller clubs should be required to run a race at least every two/three years or combine with other small clubs. Why don’t these clubs lead the way and put on races for 3rd Cats and/or 2nd Cats etc?
Regards,
Kieran Keane
Good article.
Where to start? Well, I have been racing for three years now starting with the “C’s” and moving up to the “B’s”. The next logical steps is to try and get an “A” license but what’s the point? We start nearly all the races with the “A’s” which I don’t have a problem with but my main question is what is the point in having separate group’s when the B’s are racing with the “A’s” and the C’s / Vets are racing against both the A’s and B’s. So why have separate groups?
I think that you should only have to race within your specific grade for all the local domestic races and not find yourself lining up against a group that are one or two levels ahead. This is a totally negative approach to racing and you can see it in the races, the usual big guns up the road and the rest of us like the laughing group, pedalling around the country side.
Any races that are grade specific (example B’s only) I have found the races to be more competitive, more energetic and simply better fun as you have something to race for. Maybe we should have a look at the setup in South Africa or closer to home the Vet’s league
One other point it’s a bit of a joke that cycling Ireland are still relying on the spectator’s on the side to the road to say who won the bunch gallop. GPS chips are cheap and I am sure that no cyclist would have a problem spending the extra to get one… As a South African mate and racer in Ireland stated that “Africa is a third world country and they still can manage to fork out for the GPS chips… It could only happen in Ireland”.
So true...
Niall Jenkins
The original letters:
19/3/06 CANNON FODDER?
“Cannon fodder , or just here to make up the prize money?” “It said it was separate in the calendar, sure there’s enough here to run 2 races.” “How many laps???” These are just a few of the comments you hear just before the start of a typical senior 3 race these days.
It appears that if you take your racing calendar word for word, then more fool you . Picture the scenario: you travel for two-odd hours to get to your race, only to find out at the sign on that it is 20k longer than you were expecting or that is has been handicapped. So before you even get changed you know that your chances of a place are as slim as Posh Spice in a bikini.
What chance has a C rider got of finishing up with the A group? Then, once the race starts, you get the doom and gloom merchant saying that we are only going to get caught anyway! Is it just me or do we just seem to get the take it or leave it response?
I am not suggesting much easier C races, after all we all aspire to getting upgraded from the C group. B riders get the same deal by been thrown in with the A riders. But a fair deal and a fair race would be nice.
A truthful race calendar and more separate C races is not that much to ask with the huge increase of C riders at the races so far, especially as this can only make our sport stronger and encourage more new faces.
This is now my second year open racing and I suppose that I have got used to the way things are, but picture this: a rider starts his first season, he sees a nice 50 k race for C riders, so he heads off to the event as he reckons he could manage that distance . Alas he ends up doing 80k, getting caught by the next group, dropped at 30k and never bothers racing again. Is this the introduction we want to give??
Enda Smyth,
St. Tiernan’s CC
COMMENT: RACING IN IRELAND - RETHINK NEEDED?
The season is but a few weeks old, but already it seems that things are out of balance. Several riders spoke to me recently about their frustration with the running of races here, and the letter above is a reflection of that. Two of the main concerns are the distance of races and also the increasing lack of separate-category events. The numbers have certainly been there at times for organisers to put on races for each of the groups, but there seems a reluctance to do so.
Field sizes have been very healthy this year. I was told that 195 riders signed on to an event earlier this month, yet it was run off as a handicap! Apart from distance concerns, there are also safely issues; had two large groups of different speeds and ability levels come together on narrow roads, there could well have been carnage.
While running separate category contests does require more lead cars, the benefits of doing so are easy to understand. Riders are pitted against those of a similar level, leading to satisfaction that they have contributed to the racing, rather than hanging on, teeth gritted, down the back. They are more likely to get a full race in rather than being dropped or packing early, and are more likely to return the following week.
The senior 3 (or ‘C’) level was introduced in an effort to increase the numbers of those racing. That was the goal of this category. Beginners and those returning to races were the groups which were to be targeted, yet the initial guidelines of running races thirty to forty miles long seem to have been abandoned. Races of fifty miles plus are more and more common; in fact, a recent event saw the senior 3 riders start a handicap race (with Senior 1 riders in pursuit) which would have been 55 miles long! What’s more, the combined event at the Des Hanlon memorial (one of the hardest courses going) was over sixty miles. It’s clear that someone taking up the sport as a senior 3 would have an extremely slim chance of finishing. Furthermore, what are the odds of the same rider turning out the following week?
Some senior 2 riders also feel aggrieved, as there have been less and less separate races for them since senior 3 racing was reintroduced. The strong senior 2’s can cope, but others are getting it tough with the first category riders. A former senior 1 competitor with good ability but little time to train told me that he has found it tough riding as a senior 2 this year due to the fact that most of his races have been with the first cats. In fact, he hardly raced at all last season because of this.
It is clear that at times, the running of handicaps/combined events is the only option due to manpower available and other issues. There is however a worrying trend, in that separate category races seem more and more scarce. Distances also seem to be soaring; as stated above, the original reason behind the reintroduction of C racing was to cater for those starting off or returning to the sport after a long break. That’s clearly not the case now.
I fully accept the fact that the sport is being run largely by volunteers. I commend those who run races, because it can be a thankless job at times. The goal of this letter is not to slate organisers. However, at the same time, I feel that there is a worrying trend developing and that this may well impact on the future growth of the sport.
One of Cycling Ireland’s stated aims is to increase numbers of those cycling; in order to achieve this, I believe there is an onus on the federation to ensure that newcomers to the sport are catered for, and so too those riders who have already paid out for licences. It seems that a closer look at the grading, the distances and the running of races may well be needed if a continuous and sustainable growth in numbers, across all categories and in all age groups, is to be achieved.
Shane Stokes
What are your own thoughts on this?
Irishcycling.com welcomes your feedback on this issue.
Email letters2006@irishcycling.com.
|
|
|
|
