Proposal 71: 3D.9 Starting Order [ Revision 3 ]
Committee: 3. Road RacingSubmitted on 2025-07-15
Status: Review from July 15, 2025 to July 23, 2025
Background
Currently, the organization of wave starts in long-distance unicycle races faces recurring challenges due to the lack of reliable time data from participants at registration. A key issue is that only a minority of riders submit a best time, even when they have one. This significantly complicates the creation of fair and competitive starting waves.
The current system relies too heavily on optional time declarations, which are inconsistent and sometimes entered in incorrect units. Moreover, best times are not always relevant or recent. In contrast, target time/speed or expected time/speed —even estimated or training-based—are more useful for establishing a meaningful starting order. Because many months often separate registration and the race itself, the focus should shift from precise timing to approximate target ranges.
Proposal
Old rule:
3D.9 Starting Order
The goal in determining the starting order is to sort racers fairly by speed while still making sure that males and females race amongst themselves. Unless otherwise noted below, the fastest riders start first, and also within a start group (heat or mass start), riders should be positioned in the line-up by speed with the fastest in front. Starting order can be determined by seed time, or from the results of a previous Road Race in that competition. For example, if the Marathon follows the 10k, the results of the 10k can be used to determine the starting order for the Marathon. In the case that a racer does not have a seed time, and is signed up for a particular event (such as the Marathon) and did not participate in the previous race (such as the 10k), the Racing Clerk has the right to assign a starting position where they see fit.
New rule:
3D.9 Starting Order
1. The goal in determining the starting order is to sort racers fairly by speed while still making sure that males and females race amongst themselves. Unless otherwise noted below, the fastest riders start first, and also within a start group (heat or mass start), riders should be positioned in the line-up by speed with the fastest in front.
2. At Unicons, the Starting Order is determined based on an expected time or average speed declared by each competitor at registration. This declared value may be based on a previous race, a training session, or a personal estimate. It may be entered directly or selected from a predefined range provided during registration. Riders with the fastest expected performances will be placed in the earliest waves for wave starts, or at the front of the start line for mass starts. Riders who do not provide an expected time or speed may be placed in the last wave or at the back of the start line.
3. If results from a previous road race held during the same competition are available—such as a 10k before a marathon—they may also be used to help determine the starting order.
4. The starting order is the joint responsibility of the Race Director and the Referee.
Body
see discussion
References
Discussion
View DiscussionChange Log:
- Revision 3 changed by Simon JAN (15 Jul 08:32)
The starting order is the joint responsibility of the Race Director and the Referee.
- Revision 2 changed by Simon JAN (15 Jul 07:48)
paragraph numbering
- Revision 1 changed by Simon JAN (15 Jul 06:05)