UCI to introduce 'Race Appeal' contest
The 2013 Tour de Pologne will be the first UCI WorldTour event to introduce a pilot project designed to highlight the excitement and attractiveness of each day of racing.
The project introduces a new system of bonus points for riders who win a series of contests organised during each day of racing.
These may include intermediate sprints, and mountain pass or hill contests. At the end of each stage a general “Race Appeal” classification will be established by adding up the points awarded. The top riders of this classification will obtain time bonuses on the event’s general classification.
The number of riders per team will be six as opposed to the usual eight.
“This contest will add extra spice to each day of racing,” explained UCI President Pat McQuaid. “The riders will have added motivation at certain points throughout the day, and the spectators will be treated to some exciting and spectacular competitions.”
This new project was approved by the Professional Cycling Council in February this year. The project was put forward by a special working group made up of representatives from cycling’s main stakeholders, including teams.
“The Tour de Pologne has always been aware of new trends and open to innovation. This is why with great enthusiasm and interest we embrace all those solutions which, as in this case, can contribute to rendering the race even more spectacular and exciting, with the aim of attracting increasing numbers of people - not only experts but especially the general public, to the splendid world of cycling," explains the Director for the Tour de Pologne, Czeslaw Lang.
After the 2013 Tour de Pologne (July 27th – August 3rd), it is envisaged to introduce the concept at other UCI WorldTour events in 2014.
http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDe ... Id=MTI2Mjc
The project introduces a new system of bonus points for riders who win a series of contests organised during each day of racing.
These may include intermediate sprints, and mountain pass or hill contests. At the end of each stage a general “Race Appeal” classification will be established by adding up the points awarded. The top riders of this classification will obtain time bonuses on the event’s general classification.
The number of riders per team will be six as opposed to the usual eight.
“This contest will add extra spice to each day of racing,” explained UCI President Pat McQuaid. “The riders will have added motivation at certain points throughout the day, and the spectators will be treated to some exciting and spectacular competitions.”
This new project was approved by the Professional Cycling Council in February this year. The project was put forward by a special working group made up of representatives from cycling’s main stakeholders, including teams.
“The Tour de Pologne has always been aware of new trends and open to innovation. This is why with great enthusiasm and interest we embrace all those solutions which, as in this case, can contribute to rendering the race even more spectacular and exciting, with the aim of attracting increasing numbers of people - not only experts but especially the general public, to the splendid world of cycling," explains the Director for the Tour de Pologne, Czeslaw Lang.
After the 2013 Tour de Pologne (July 27th – August 3rd), it is envisaged to introduce the concept at other UCI WorldTour events in 2014.
http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDe ... Id=MTI2Mjc
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Comments
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basically a time bonus for being aggressive...its a bit velodromesque.
I will keep an open mind"If I was a 38 year old man, I definitely wouldn't be riding a bright yellow bike with Hello Kitty disc wheels, put it that way. What we're witnessing here is the world's most high profile mid-life crisis" Afx237vi Mon Jul 20, 2009 2:43 pm0 -
interesting, I think its good to try new things to try and spice up the racing.
With 6 riders per team does this mean more teams? Or same teams and fewer riders overall?0 -
So combined points + mountains competitions, with time bonuses just for that competition? Sure seems unconfusing for those new fans it's intended to attract.0
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At last, we can finally quantify Heavyweight Panache.0
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Why not have ...
Longest wheelie, or any rider to do a 50m wheelie gains 10 seconds
Biggest bunny hop
Stick in some jumps0 -
How about the winner is the person who covers the distance in the shortest time? Radical, I know!0
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It would never catch on Greased.
How about extra seconds for the most attacks off the front of the peleton?
Extra points for riding with 'panache' and in the style of a 'true champion' - to be awarded by Frenchie.
Or extra seconds added to you time for having a doping history...0 -
And they say that nothing good ever emerges from the Brains Trust in Aigle0
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Moveable finish line, so if break looking to get caught in last 200m, just shift it up the road 250m :-) After paying a small fee to the UCI of course. For a centrifuge, innit.0
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Well that's nice and clear. The teams will easily be able to work out if they are going to lose the leaders jersey on the road.0
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Pross wrote:Well that's nice and clear. The teams will easily be able to work out if they are going to lose the leaders jersey on the road.
Take radios off them as well!0 -
And take jerseys off people mid-stage.0
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I'm confused this sounds like the same sprints and mountain jerseys we usually have anyway, what's the difference ? I assume this is like the combined jersey you get in the Vuelta except they get time awarded off for leading it0
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How about doing this instead. Have a phone vote where viewers decide who they want to win each stage and they get a time deduction proportionate to their share of the vote. Don't tell them where they are in the GC each day and then after the final stage they all stand on the podium and the results are announced in reverse order with the light shining on each rider being extinguished as they get voted off. People love that sort of format and the UCI could make a fortune from the premium rate votes. Chuck in a telephone competition with the most obvious multiple choice question and Bob's your uncle, a whole new TV audience!0
