Is this legal ?? (Page 2)

Legal? Probably not, but as the saying goes, "**** happens." On the second loop of the IMWI bike course this year I got caught in a pack much like that. False flat, into a headwind -- those in front kept slowing, resulting in a bunched-up group of riders behind them.

I doubt any of us were trying to gain advantage, but we were all sort of stuck together until we hit a hill and the pack broke apart.

On the other hand I definitely saw a few who were working together at various times during the race. Shame on them... And you'd think at an IM, people would know to stay to the right...

Ken

I wonder if the guy in the middle of that even had to pedal?

Think the two big guys in the middle are blocking. Think a lifetime ban is in order, since they obviously gamed the system and paid off/intimindated the officials, adversely affected the outcome of the race, brought shame to their country, and tranished the image of the sport. But if they all agree to testify against the woman on the inside, we'll reduce the sanctions to a finger waving.


Can't judge intent from a single picture but it seems to me the corner they just came around probably helped clump this group together and they will spread back out naturally as the faster folks complete their pass. Does look like a few of the guys in the middle are trying to drop back and get out of that mess as two are sitting up, which somewhat exaserbates the problem.

Posting that picture from a site that has a possible copyrighted watermark? Not sure.

Centre line violation

Most RDs and Marshalls look at the situation. One of my favorite tris has a 200 yd stretch of narrow bike path at the start of the ride. It is common to get small packs when starting out on the bike. They usually sort out in the 1st 1/2 mile or so so nobody says anything. If this is in the middle of a ride, or at a place where it isn't a bit of a bottle neck, ie turn around points, then I think most would call it illegal.

Pretty sure it is legal for the guy in the very front.    Beyond that, well...

I was there and was passed by these f*#kers on this 12 mile stretch of road going into a headwind. No camera angles or tricks here - this is exactly what it looked like from the front, side and back. They were not ashamed of it. I was randomly speaking to another athlete the day after the race at the hotel that openly admitted to seeing this peloton come by and jumping on. I also heard that one of the bad crashes took place in the middle of one of these groups when someone dropped a bottle.