It is difficult to know all the USAT rules by heart and even harder to remember them during a race when your nerves are kicked into high gear. So, your best bet is to familiarize yourself with the rules as much as possible and hope that they stick with you during your race.
USAT has provided a list of the most common rule violations from 2010 and here are the top five:
1. Helmets:
Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.
Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps:
Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.
3. Outside Assistance:
No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Transition Area:
All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
5. Drafting:
Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.
Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass.
Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
Variable Time Penalties per distance:
Sprint: 1st offense: 2:00 minutes; 2nd offense: 4:00 minutes, 3rd offense: Disqualified
Intermediate: 1st offense: 2:00 minutes; 2nd offense: 4:00 minutes, 3rd offense: Disqualified
Long: 1st offense: 4:00 minutes; 2nd offense: 8:00 minutes, 3rd offense: Disqualified
Ultra: 1st offense: 6:00 minutes; 2nd offense: 12:00 minutes, 3rd offense: Disqualified
For a complete list of rules, please refer to the most up to date USA Triathlon Competitive Rules at: http://triathlon.teamusa.org/content/index/1684
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