When can you go to wheel / Drafting in Triathlon?

We remember the regulation of the Drafting for triathlon competitions

In long distance events, platoons are often seen in the cycling sector and many times participants do not know well when they can go to a wheel or do Drafting in these competitions, that's why we wanted to rescue the drafting section of Regulation of Triathlon Competitions

There are two types of competitions depending on which go to wheel whether or not allowed . Regardless of the type of competition, it is not allowed to go to the wheel among athletes of different sex. It is also not allowed to go to wheel for those athletes who, circulating in the same group, are not in the same lap of the cycling segment, or follow the trail of a vehicle or motorcycle.

Competitions in which it is not allowed to go to a wheel ('drafting' not allowed):

Going to the wheel is to enter with the bicycle in the zone considered as "drafting area":

'Drafting' area for medium and long distance competitions: the 'drafting' zone will have 12 linear meters from the end of the front wheel. An athlete can enter the drafting area of ​​another athlete to overtake him. To carry out this maneuver, you will have a maximum of 25 seconds.

'Drafting' area for standard distance competitions or lower: the 'drafting' zone will have 10 linear meters from the end of the front wheel. An athlete can enter the drafting area of ​​another athlete to overtake him. To carry out this maneuver, you will have a maximum of 20 seconds.

'Drafting' area with Regarding motorcycles: the 'drafting' area behind the motorcycles will have 12 linear meters. This distance also applies to events where 'drafting' is allowed.

'Drafting' area with regarding the vehicles: the 'drafting' area behind any vehicle in the entire bike segment will have 35 linear meters. This distance also applies to events where 'drafting' is allowed

When can I enter the drafting area of ​​another athlete?

An athlete can enter the 'drafting' area of ​​another athlete, in the following circumstances:

• If you advance before 20 seconds.
• For security reasons.
• 100 meters before a refreshment.
• At the entrance or exit of the transition area.
• In sharp turns.
• In areas authorized by the Technical Delegate.

How do I have to overtake another cyclist?

One athlete overtakes another when the front wheel of the first one surpasses the front wheel of the second.

Once an athlete has been overtaken, he has to leave the 'drafting' zone in the 5 seconds after overtaking.

The athletes must stay to the side of the course and not cause a blocking effect to the athletes who come from behind.

The Technical Delegate will give indications in the technical meeting about what will be the side on which the overtaking will take place, either right or left

Examples of overtaking

Sanctions

The sanction to apply to an athlete to go to the wheel, in competitions that are not allowed, is a blue card that carries a penalty for time, where the athlete must stop in the next Penalty Area to the place where he has been sanctioned .

The time that the athlete must stop in the penalty area will vary depending on the distance of the competition and according to the following table:

• Sprint distance or lower 1 minute
• Standard distance 2 minutes
• Average distance and upper 5 minutes

Not stopping in the next Penalty Area, will mean the disqualification of the athlete.

Two sanctions for 'drafting' in standard or lower distance competitions, will mean disqualification of the athlete.

Three sanctions for 'drafting' in middle distance or higher competitions, will mean the disqualification of the athlete.

 

Photo: Drating Ironman Barcelona, ​​Deportedelsur.com