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Post by flanman on Mar 2, 2024 14:00:15 GMT 8
From the Tempo website....
"IRONMAN has announced that it will partner with triathlon start-up, Race Ranger to utilize its electronic drafting detection technology across all 12 IRONMAN Pro Series events in 2024, including the IRONMAN and 70.3 World Championship race.
The Race Ranger system uses Bluetooth, 4G/LTE technology, and a system of coloured lights to provide real-time feedback to athletes and referees on whether illegal drafting is occurring.
The technology has been proven in many competitions including T100 (previously PTO) Open races, the Paris Paralympic Test event, and the World Triathlon Long Distance World Championships.
Age group implications: Although this partnership is only for the pro series, this sets the stage for an eventual trickle-down to age group competitions. There will need to be a serious improvement in how the technology is deployed as it currently requires the Race Ranger team to physically attach and calibrate the devices individually.
But with this kind of partnership, investments will surely be made to materially improve the devices so that applying them to your bike will be as simple as buckling your helmet.
When will age group athletes compete with this technology? It may be a few years, but we think IRONMAN will at least have them at age group World Championship races in 2026.
Having this kind of technology in the pro races will help make the sport more fair, and athletes more accountable. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to compete with it on a couple of occasions and it is the real deal.
While racing I’ve seen the big flashing red light in front of me a few times, and it is a clear signal that it’s time to back off or get on with a pass. These elite non-drafting races are only getting more competitive and this will help usher in a new (and incredibly fast) era of competition.
It remains to be seen how this will impact the racing. Will certain draft-enjoying athletes suffer? Will mid-race penalty boxes be stuffed to the brim?"
FM
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gregb
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by gregb on Mar 3, 2024 4:57:45 GMT 8
Overall I like the idea.
When refined enough that it is simply attach to the bike and go, get it into age group.
"Will mid-race penalty boxes be stuffed to the brim?"
Be interesting to see, when we think how we see bunches break up at the sound of a motorbike.
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gregb
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by gregb on Mar 3, 2024 5:00:19 GMT 8
I can already see people trying to not fit correctly or slip the battery or other dodges that will render a closer draft zone etc.
Would need to include a penalty for not having your draft radar properly attached.
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Post by andrewearlwood on Mar 3, 2024 5:50:18 GMT 8
OK, the best way to make this technology work is as Jack Kelly from the triathlon hour argues: make the zone 20 metres, (a no brainer for pros, but not appropriate for AGers I reckon), and if an athlete so much as rolls momentarily into the zone and doesn’t effect a pass, give them a penalty BUT make the penalty only 30-60 seconds, to be served at the next penalty box. This will both keep things honest (ie. folk will make a genuine effort to stay 20 metres back) but not ruin racing by making the penalty too harsh (and it is widely believed that penalties are not presently handed out consistent, with too much ‘monitoring’ of the situation and not enough action because of the fear of the harsh consequences if a pro athlete gets an adverse call on a very marginal infringement).
As for age groupers - IF they can get the tech to work a 12 M draft zone would still be effective, IMO and if everybody who infringes gets a 60 second penalty, then I think we will also see a lot more effort in self policing; which frankly at the end of the day is the most effective way to stop drafting - people consciously trying to do the right thing.
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Post by cottoneyes on Mar 4, 2024 6:20:29 GMT 8
"Will mid-race penalty boxes be stuffed to the brim?" I think it might be time with the tech to look at how the penalties are given out when and if this comes to day to day use for everyone. Should the penalties continue to be served mid race, given the drafter a time to recover? Or should they be added onto the final time for the race, or potentially be a sin bin before the final run chute with an electronic board listing names and penalties? |
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gregb
Full Member
Posts: 102
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Post by gregb on Mar 4, 2024 7:07:08 GMT 8
I like the idea of the sin bin before the finish chute so you can stand there watching your mates/competition cross the line.
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Post by roxii on Mar 4, 2024 7:46:09 GMT 8
I think the old trannys idea of having to complete a 1k run loop before starting the run proper is a fair idea. Extra time, no rest, best of both worlds.
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Post by cottoneyes on Mar 4, 2024 8:19:12 GMT 8
It really will come down to the failability of the technology. If the athlete was to appeal (successfully), having a rest or doing extra is going to be hard to remove without any impact on time. If a penalty is simply added on and the athlete finishes the race as per normal, easy to remove the penalty.
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