Some Questions

LittleB0b

Hi

firstly apologies for my complete ignorance - I'm new to cycling, and the world of bike websites. Reading the race roundups in the news section has caused me to ponder a few things. Sorry if these seem like daft questions.

Do women normally race in the same races as men (eg start at same time, but get place as the first woman) or do they race in separate races?

Also if the name of the race doesn't have a sex in (eg mens or womens) does that mean its unisex?

Cheers

jibberjim

LittleB0b wrote:

Do women normally race in the same races as men (eg start at same time, but get place as the first woman) or do they race in separate races?

No, everyone in the same race is in the same race, there's no seperate womans race within it. Often a race is run at the same time, starting a couple of minutes afterwards, but the races have to be kept seperate, so if it's a circuit race and the women (or whichever race is going slower) gets lapped, they have to make sure they do not get a draft off the faster race.

LittleB0b wrote:

Also if the name of the race doesn't have a sex in (eg mens or womens) does that mean its unisex?

Most races are unisex, women are free to, and do enter, there's not as many women's only races, and generally have smaller fields. Especially stronger women riders will want the experience of riding in larger groups, and against similarly strong riders. When they race in these, there's no special treatment, and points are just awarded for their actual placing.