To be fair it was in Texas.If true that is an absolute disgrace. I don't blame her for being angry - its blatant cheating. In litigious America I am surprised the organizers weren't sued for negligence.
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To be fair it was in Texas.If true that is an absolute disgrace. I don't blame her for being angry - its blatant cheating. In litigious America I am surprised the organizers weren't sued for negligence.
She won the elite national championship. Granted Dygert wasn't there because her spot was already locked in, but USAC had no choice but to send her.I think that's why she was selected to the team.
USAC decided for Senior Track Natz back in 1990 or so that all Cat 1-3 roadies were eligible to race on our velodrome. The women's points race started with 40 riders for a 100 lap race. The race had 4 stoppages in the first 20 laps and 6 ambulances to clear the mess. Not every injured took the busses to the hospital but many quit including National team members. Not sure that happened again but it's not without precedence when someone gets out of their comfort zone.She won the elite national championship. Granted Dygert wasn't there because her spot was already locked in, but USAC had no choice but to send her.
Yeah, she was a hot mess but laughed about it. On a dry course she's probably top 5-10, so hopefully she'll stick with the discipline.Right here and NOW! US brought in a tri-crossover for the Olympic TT today. She crashed 4 times. Most people learn after 2 crashes and park the bike but have to give her credit for not quitting. No credit for learning curve, however.
PS: Taylor Knibb acknowledged she "was the worst bike handler out there" so she wins the heroic award for continuing in that situation and having a sense of humor about it, I think.
I’m an outsider as far as tri goes, but one perhaps relevant fact is that compared to 30 years ago there are a lot more 40-something riders on $10,000+ bikes who may or may not be CAT racers but could qualify for triathlons. She specifically complained about “age-group” riders. So maybe you get a group folks big-headed enough that they don’t bother with the rules as well as less bike-handling experience. Also: Texas.Really surprised reading the thread that this really should be an issue on a general level!?!
These days it will be exactly 30 years ago I participated in a triathlon; olympic distance, a somewhat motley mixed field of pro top-triathlethes and mere casuals (as me ).
There were several situations where larger fields on the bike leg could not be avoided (although the minimum distance was zealously observed otherwise) and, contrary to the exercise bike races, I experienced very good skills in bike handling , this even in stormy weather on small, winding roads.
I don't know if the world has changed here, but the vast majority - incl. the pros - had a solid background in being able to behave and react correctly in a larger cycling field.
Must say I'm a amazed to read this has become a general issue
I think I am similar. I last competed in a triathlon in 1997 - 27 years. I did mostly long course (4 hrs +) and a couple of Ironman races. Larger fields were difficult to police for drafting back then, and I assume from what I read here are worse than ever.Really surprised reading the thread that this really should be an issue on a general level!?!
These days it will be exactly 30 years ago I participated in a triathlon; olympic distance, a somewhat motley mixed field of pro top-triathlethes and mere casuals (as me ).
There were several situations where larger fields on the bike leg could not be avoided (although the minimum distance was zealously observed otherwise) and, contrary to the exercise bike races, I experienced very good skills in bike handling , this even in stormy weather on small, winding roads.
I don't know if the world has changed here, but the vast majority - incl. the pros - had a solid background in being able to behave and react correctly in a larger cycling field.
Must say I'm a amazed to read this has become a general issue
The sport of triathlon has always been like that, but I wouldn't say it only attracts self centred obsessives, those types are just more likely to gravitate towards this sport than most. I did tris between late 1985 and 1997 (yes I'm not young any more ). The day before big races there were always poseurs out running in fluro gear or going for a ride on their disc wheels. But on race day you don't worry about them as it all comes back to ability and how much work you have done.I stopped doing triathlons about 9 years ago , main reason was costs and the johnny come lately guys with big pockets and big boring ego,s.. and better things to do
One of my mates has got into the sport via running,,, and he bangs on about it ALL the time, he,d just done an iron man and he banging on about , then when I checked my own time , ok on a diff course he was only 5 mins faster and bearing in mind the money he invested in his bike and time he spent training and the time he spent talking about it.......
Think the sport just attracts self centred obsessives
Hope I wasnt like that back in the day.. my wife might disagree tho
Reminds me of the first cyclist I dated. She was a new Cat 3 (how that happened I soon questioned...internally) and I was a Cat 4 with 2 road races under my belt. The second one a larger guy hooked his bars onto my brake levers on a descending curve at 30 mph. He panicked and turned away from me. It was a pile driver to the collar bone and the girl I met took pity on me and drove my truck home. None of this is relevant to the photo above except: