RESTRICTING GEARS FOR YOUNG ATHLETES 2018 - ATHLETE'S AND PARENT'S INFORMATION - British Triathlon
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RESTRICTING
GEARS FOR YOUNG
ATHLETES 2018
ATHLETE’S AND
PARENT’S INFORMATION
1
British Triathlon is continuing with it’s very
successful policy of restricting gears for young
I was a relatively late developer physically and
athletes. Here you will read about the why, what, being unable to push a bigger gear I needed to
develop my pedalling technique and ride higher
how and where along with comments from 2 of cadences to survive in races and on the Chevin
our leading athletes on why they support Gear Chain Gang. I was also forced to use guile, skill
and good positioning. These skills serve me well
Restrictions at this level of the Pathway. now and are a big factor in my ability to impose
myself on races. Restricting gears for children, ALISTAIR BROWNLEE,
2 X OLYMPIC CHAMPION,
youths and juniors, I believe, will help our athletes
3 X WORLD CHAMPION &
develop similar skills. 2014 CWG CHAMPION
2 BRITISH TRIATHLON 3
WHY: RESTRICT GEARS?
Simply because of the significant benefits to
Long Term Athlete Development which include:
IMPROVED PEDALLING TECHNIQUE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Simply restricting gears requires riders to A high number of senior athletes
improve their pedalling technique. (male and female) in drafting triathlon
do not pedal well. Exploiting this has
DEVELOPMENT OF RACE-CRAFT performance impact for our
athletes internationally.
Gear restrictions help groups to form
giving riders the opportunity to develop ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT WHAT:
their race-craft, decision making and
tactical understanding. Whichever path an athlete follows;
ARE THE PLANS FOR 2018?
drafting, non-drafting or life long Athletes will race on restricted gears at the following events:
IMPACT OF PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT participation, the opportunity to develop
efficient pedalling technique will be
Please note: the youth selection races
of benefit. TS2 & TS3
More physically developed athletes at Blenheim June 3rd (Youth Olympics
currently can rely on riding bigger gears & School Games) and Hetton July 21st
ATHLETE EDUCATION • Jun 9 | Roundhay Park (Leeds)
to beat less developed athletes. Reliance (European Youths & School Games) will
on power doesn’t work at senior level; • Jun 30 | Bowood NOT be gear restricted. British age groups
race-craft, guile and decision making Learning to restrict gears means • Jul 7 | Eton Dorney and European age groups do not match
make the difference. athletes will have to develop a keener • Jul 7 | Bala and 1st year juniors (who are presently
understanding of how their bike unrestricted) will also be racing for selection
• Jul 21 | Hetton Lyons Park
ENERGY EXPENDITURE works mechanically. – this is similar for School Games too where
• Sep 15/16 | U20’s Festival
Junior and Youth ages mix.
A higher cadence in stochastic (drafting) REDUCED INJURY RISK
YOUTH If other events are added they will appear on
racing saves energy and is more efficient. British Triathlon’s Gear Restrictions web page.
Restricting gears helps develop a A lot of young athletes ride bikes set up
for adults that are inappropriate for their • Mar 25 | British Duathlon
higher cadence. Tristar races at Roundhay Park (Leeds) will
stage of physical development. Riding • Apr 15 | Performance Assessments
run as both gear restricted and unrestricted.
age appropriate gears lowers the force • May 12 | May Gateway (Llanelli) Athletes wishing to be selected to IRC teams
production needed through each pedal • June 9 | Roundhay Park (Leeds) or count for Podium places/medals will need
stroke and reduces injury risk. • July 7 | Eton Dorney to be gear restricted. Athletes focussed on
participating in the event without serious
• Sep 15/16 | U20’s Festival
competitive aspirations can race unrestricted.
4 BRITISH TRIATHLON 5
HOW:
WILL THIS WORK?
British Triathlon prides itself on
• Bikes are measured on race day by a roll-out, please being one of the leading triathlon
see our video online.
nations. In order to maintain that
• At events athletes will have access to practice roll- status it is important that we
out areas prior to registration.
strive to improve standards from
• Athletes will need to arrive at events with bikes pre- grass roots level up. A key area
restricted – at some events there will be coaches
who might be able to assist with mechanics, this will
of focus for our elite females is
be sporadic and should not be relied upon. improved technical and tactical
bike riding, and this thinking
• You will not be allowed to race unless your bike rolls
out within the age appropriate gear limits. should be transferred to our
younger, developing athletes too,
• Please ensure you arrive at least 30min earlier
to any event that is gear restricted to ensure you so that they are better prepared
have sufficient time to use the practice roll out area for the future of World Class
and make any last minute adjustments should they
racing. I believe gear restriction
be required for your bike to roll out within gear
limits before getting your bike officially checked. is one such measure that will
help improve the skill level of our
young athletes.
WHERE:
IS ALL THE
NON STANFORD, 2013 WORLD CHAMPION
INFORMATION I NEED?
Detailed information on all you need to know and
understand including the gear restrictions, gear tables,
videos and downloadable ‘how to’ guides can be found
at: at:http://britishtriathlon.org/ge-gb-teams/elite-
teams/talent/gear_restrictions
6 BRITISH TRIATHLON 7
PO Box 25, Loughborough Leicestershire, LE11 3WX T +44(0)1509 226161 E info@britishtriathlon.org BritishTriathlon @BritTri /BritishTriathlon
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