3D.6 Ungeared Awards
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3D.6 Ungeared Awards
At Unicon, if there are five or more geared male riders in an Unlimited event, the fastest three ungeared male riders will be awarded with an ungeared title for that event. Similarly, if there are five or more geared female riders in an Unlimited event at Unicon, the fastest three ungeared female riders will be awarded with an ungeared title for that event. This is only for the overall classi cation, not for Age Groups. Other events can choose to award the fastest three, one, or none of the ungeared riders as they wish.
The subject has been discussed in another discussion, but I think we should talk about it in a specific discussion.
I don't think this rule is a good one:
- It's in 3D section (organizer section), not known to most competitors
- The attribution of these rewards is not linked to the number of ungeared competitor, whereas it is a reward for ungeared competitors, this attribution is linked to the number of geared competitors.
- The fact that many competitors aren't aware of this rule, and those who are, can't know in advance if there are going to be rewards, means that this ranking is neglected by competitors (which is a problem for an “expert” ranking).
- This classification often rewards ungeared 36“ competitors, whereas standard 29” competitors are sometimes faster.
- At UNICON, locals are more represented in the 36“ ungeared than those who come from far away, because a 36” wheel doesn't fit in standard luggage.
That said, I can understand why these awards were introduced in an event like the 10km, since there is no 29” category in the 10km. And yet there are plenty of ungeared competitors with a wheel bigger than a 24”.
But on a marathon, a climbing road race or a criterium, I don't think it's a good thing. I won this classification at UNICON20 for the climbing road race and at UNICON21 for the criterium. It's nice to be on the podium, but these medals don't mean much to me.
I'd prefer this rule to be removed, or leave the organizers free to reward whoever they like... If the majority think that it should be kept, then at the very least, the conditions of attribution should be reviewed.
Comment
I would immediately agree to remove this rule - organizers are free to make additional awards anyway, and in my experience in Germany, organizers have taken this freedom if they feel it is useful and beneficial to their competition to make additional awards.
But as I have already written elsewhere, in my opinion the rule implicitly leads to another standard category alongside the 29er class. And especially if riders in the 29er class are actually better than those in the unlimited ungeard, I don't think that makes any sense at all.
Comment
I was against this rule when it was voted in favor in the preceeding committee, and I am still against.