From being serviced by a following car to using the loo, taking care of your litter and pinning on your race number, riders need to be cool when it comes to the etiquette of racing (Photo: George Doyle)
With one of the biggest weekends of racing about to kick off, well known commissaire Gary McIlroy takes us through the 10 commandments of racing.
Follow what he says and you'll be considerate to those organising and racing in the events you’re riding this weekend, and indeed all year around.
1. Time keeping
Be on time for event registration and sign on for each of the stages. Riders who are late for sign on disrupt the flow of the event organisation and wastes time searching for riders.
There is no requirement to sign on for a time trial. Report to the start line five minutes prior to your start to avoid the race organisation chasing late riders if they decide to do so.
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2. The rules
Be aware of the Cycling Ireland technical rules and regulations and the associated repercussions for contravention of these.
3. Team managers
Be on time for the team managers meeting. A check is made at the start of the meeting to ensure everybody is present for the briefing.
If you miss the check by the chief commissaire, you will be starting the stage race at the rear of the cavalcade and putting your riders at a disadvantage.
4. Racing numbers
Riders are issued with two back numbers by Cycling Ireland for one day races. The positioning of these numbers is outlined in the Cycling Ireland handbook. Both numbers should be on the back pockets of the jersey side by side.
The amount of delay and frustration that a results crew can endure because of riders not displaying their numbers correctly due to gilets and extra garments covering their numbers is unfair.
As they try to complete a job they end up having to resort to process of elimination in trying to identify riders with covered numbers.
5. Disc brakes
For national federation races, the use of disc brakes is currently prohibited. The UCI has authorised their use as far as UCI Continental teams. The brakes have not been authorised for widespread use as of yet.
Commissaires will be checking bikes prior to race start to ensure bicycles are not equipped with disc brakes.
6. When you need help on the road
If a rider has a problem in a peloton, raise the hand to indicate you have an issue. The commissaire travelling behind will call up your team car or neutral service.
Only when the car is in position should you drop out of the bunch of riders to go to the car. This prevents you wasting energy cycling outside of the slipstream of the peloton.
Help the commissaire out by indicating the nature of the issue. If it’s feeding, raise a bottle. If its clothing, hold up the clothing. If it’s a puncture, indicate whether it is a front or rear as it could save you vital seconds standing at the side of the road.
All service takes place on the Left hand side of the road for safety reasons and also behind the commissaires car unless otherwise directed by the commssaire.
7. Plan to use the loo before racing
Stage race organisers will have toilet facilities for the riders and officials to use. There should be no reason why they cannot be used so bear this in mind with your planning before the stage start and during the stage so as not to upset the passing public.
8. On-board cameras
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Cycling Ireland clarified in 2015 how cameras attached to the bicycle or helmet during competition is prohibited due to them being a non-essential piece of equipment, continues to be the case for the 2016 season.
9. Be considerate when it comes to litter
The same will apply towards the discarding of litter. If it can be taken out of your pocket there is no reason why it cannot be put back in the pocket again or shoved up the jersey to deal with later by handing into the team car.
The image of cycling relies on an improvement in the behaviour in this area.
10. Respecting other road users
Respect and give way to other road users whilst warming up around the start area. This is critical to the image of the event in the organisers local area and cycling in general.
Allow the motorcycle marshals to pass by. If you see that they are struggling to pass the peloton, rally your fellow cyclists to ensure everybody gives them the gap they need to get by.
And move ahead to their next junction to assist with your own safety. Failure to do this will only result in problems for you further down the road.
11. Study race manuals
Pay attention and study the race manuals and the instructions being given to team managers at the managers meeting. The manuals should be available for download in the days prior to the stage race start.
Time Limits may apply to your stage race. This is not so much to make the race harder for the rider but for logistical reasons in attempting to maintain levels of marshal cover and distribute the stage results within a reasonable time following the stage.
If you are dropped from the peloton, the onus is on the rider to keep racing until the end to ensure they finish with the time limit.
12. Choice of race clothing
Riders must wear their club clothing (jersey & shorts) as registered with Cycling Ireland and which forms part of the clothing database available at www.cyclingireland.ie
13 . Skin suit rules for time trials
If your stage race has a time trial, only one back number is required compared to two required for road races, photo by Toby Watson.
While you must wear your team jersey that is identical to your teammates, with the commissaires permission for a time trial only, a plain skinsuit may be worn bearing the manufacturer’s logo only in an area of 25cm2 on each leg and the upper chest.
No national team skinsuits are permitted unless competing on the National Team in that event.
14. One-day licences
One-event licences are once again available until April 1st and will be available again from August 1st until the end of the season.
It is the event organisers' responsibility to obtain the correct paperwork from Cycling Ireland to administer one-event licences.
15. Play fair
Race staff, organisers, commissaires and marshals are present at an event on a voluntary basis to assist with your enjoyment of your sport. Please afford them with the courtesy and respect.
16. Prize giving ceremonies
For prize presentations, you are at a stage race that generally carries more media coverage than one day races (the best of which will be on stickybottle - Ed).
Do your club or team a good turn by wearing your club or team clothing to the prize presentations.
It looks far more professional for you, your club or team and the event promoting your club or sponsor rather than wearing a standard tracksuit.
