check out this new uci rule -- wierd?

The UCI commies in Edmonton this past weekend must not have known or been enforcing it. The course for Nats/J.H. GP went straight through a sandy playground. Looks like man made beach volleyball courts, playgrounds, ect. can't be used as a feature in any UCI sanctioned race now. Too bad.

It's not clear on playgrounds though...   

From 5.1.023 ----  Sand sections especially constructed for the event are forbidden. The natural aspect of the course must be respected.

If it's from a playground, a volleyball court, or a beach, it seems to me it could be used.

It remains to be seen if man-made sand obstacles not placed specifically for the race (i.e. playgrounds, etc.) will be allowed. Beaches most certainly are, so while that only applies to a few venues we'll get to keep those. Strange rule considering the comments from some top riders who "weren't asked" about the petition for the new ruling.

The rule stipulates that races can't run through artificial sand pits, and pre-existing volleyball pits and the like qualify as natural features of the course. Apparently the intent of the rule was to prevent European promoters from trucking in sand and dumping it on the course. Of course here in Canada or the States, cx promoters don't have anything like that kind of money! -n

Well, on Sunday November 1st I bet the guys will have a bit of sand for us at Kelso like in years past... Or is a reservoir not count? UCI rules seem to be vague at best, if you recall the aero bar thing this summer, during the TdF. Tutt-Tutt for Now (TTFN) David Tuttle

And next year they will be banning mud and grass from races. and UCI approved and inspected rocks will be allowed, please ship rocks 1 year in advance.

Under these guidelines, would the ditch of human poo that appeared at the Octoberfest Cross be considered a man-made or natural obstacle?

I'm pretty sure I would have remembered going through that at the Oktoberfest cross. Are you sure it was that race....Wallace Emerson park?

I remember that too, along the fence on the "straight away" before the dunes