Proposal 95: Changing 3D.12 Finishes into 3D.12 Timing, Photo Finish [ Revision 4 ]

Committee: 3. Road Racing
Submitted on 2025-07-20
Status: Passed on August 13, 2025

Background

The section deals less with the actual finish and more with the timing of road races, which is taken into account in this proposal.

Overall, the rule now covers the following aspects:
- which methods of timekeeping are permitted
- what are official times
- how the ranking order is determined

Proposal

Ole rule:

3D.12 Finishes

If finish times for a race are timed using microchips or other non-photographic electronic equipment, finish order must be verified by photo timing equipment if the finishers are within 0.1 seconds of each other. Also, in the case where a world record is suspected of being set, the time must be verified with photo timing equipment.

3D.16 Accuracy of Results

For all road race results, unless the measured time is an exact whole second, the time shall be converted and recorded to the next longer whole second, e.g. 1:33:47.153 shall be recorded and published as 1:33:48.
In the event that there is a tie where an award is at stake, if a photo finish system or other accurate method was used, the results of this shall be used to decide on the placings. In this case, the note (Photo Finish: +0.XX) is printed on the results list next to the official time. In other cases it shall be determined to be a tie and the tie shall remain and gets published as such.
Example: If two riders have reached a time of 1:33:48 and the image of the Photo Finish System shows a dierence of 0.456 seconds, the following will be printed on the result list:
1st Place Rider 1 1:33:48
2nd Place Rider 2 1:33:48 (Photo nish: +0.456)

 

New rule:

3D.12 Timing, Photo Finish

1. The use of Fully Automatic Timing and Photo Finish Systems or Transponder Timing Systems that fulfill the specified criteria are permitted for timekeeping in road races at IUF sanctioned events. For other competitions, these are highly recommended, but Hand Timing that fulfills the specified criteria is also allowed here.
2. The use of Fully Automatic Timing and Photo Finish Systems, provided they meet the criteria set out in Rule 2D.8 and are operated accordingly.
3. The use of Transponder Timing Systems is permitted, provided that:
i) None of the equipment used at the start, on the course or at the finish line is a significant obstacle to the progress of a rider.
ii) The weight of the transponder and its housing carried or worn by the rider is not significant.
iii) The System is started by the start signal.
iv) The System requires no action by a rider during the competition, at the finish or at any stage in the result processing.
4. The use of Hand Timing is permitted, provided that:
i) Timekeepers are in line with the finish and all have a good view of the finish line.
ii) Timekeepers use manually operated electronic timers with digital readouts. All such timing devices are termed “watches” for the purpose of the Rules.
iii) The time is taken from the start signal.
iv) Two official Timekeepers time the winner of every event and any performance for record purposes.
v) Each Timekeeper acts independently and without showing their watch to, or discussing their time with, any other person.
vi) The time measurement must be carried out with a resolution of at least 1/10 of a second, unless the measurement system ensures that the times are always given to at least the next longer full second. Unless the time is an exact full second, the time will be converted to the next longer full second. If the measuring system only displays full seconds and it cannot be ensured that this is the next longer full second, one second must be added to the displayed time.
If two watches are prescribed and, after converting as indicated above and two watches are prescribed, the two watches disagree, the longer time will be official.
5. For all times to be official, unless the measured time is an exact whole second, the time shall be converted and recorded to the next longer whole second, e.g. 1:33:47.153 shall be recorded and published as 1:33:48.
6. The placing order must be determined at the finishing moment in accordance with rule 3B.5.8. It is recommended that Judges and/or video recording(s) also be provided to assist in determining the finishing order and the identification of riders. For all road races at IUF sanctioned events, a Photo Finish System according to paragraph 3 or a video recording perpendicular to the finish line must be available to determine the placings.
7. If a reliable deternmination of the finishing order between competitors is not possible, the competitors must be ranked equally and assigned the same official time.
8. Only official times will be published.
9. When two competitors have the same official time and the placing is determined based on the actual finishing order, the result list should indicate if a Photo Finish System was used or not (e.g., "Photo Finish: +0.03" or "Timekeeper Decision").

Body

Further information can be found in the corresponding discussion and in the corresponding discussion.

References


Discussion

View Discussion

Change Log:

Revision 4 changed by Jan Vocke (04 Aug 01:22)

Changed paragraph 5:
5. For all times to be official, unless the measured time is an exact whole second, the time shall be converted and recorded to the next longer whole second, e.g. 1:33:47.153 shall be recorded and published, the official time is recorded as 1:33:48. All official times must be determined considdering paragraph 6 and 7 where required.

Added between paragraph 7 and 8:
8. Only official times will be published.

Changed paragraph 8(old) / 9(new):
8.9. When two competitors have the same official time and the placing is determined based on the actual finishing order, the result list should indicate the method used (e.g., "Photo Finish: +0.03", "Video Review: +0.06", "Judges Review")if a Photo Finish System was used or not (e.g., "Photo Finish: +0.03" or "Timekeeper Decision").

Revision 3 changed by Jan Vocke (29 Jul 04:12)

Paragraph 6: Replaced "Riders must be placed in the order in which the forward most part of their tire reaches the vertical plane of the nearer edge of the finish line." with "The placing order must be determined at the finishing moment in accordance with rule 3B.5.8."

Revision 2 changed by Jan Vocke (22 Jul 12:58)

Correction of the numbering

Revision 1 changed by Jan Vocke (20 Jul 03:14)

Votes on this proposal:

10 out of 14 voting members have voted.

Agree: 10, Disagree: 0, Abstain: 0.


Copyright ©

IUF 2025