ITU Chicago 2014

Yeah, I saw that too. August 20th is the discount sign up day ($120 for OLY distance). Would be interesting to do a race where there's no pressure with regards to getting a drafting penalty.

I'm not exactly sure how all this works...but isn't the AG race non-drafting? I think that you can only draft in the Elite race and tri bikes are illegal. Does that sound right?

I don't even know, I was just assuming it was like I saw on TV regardless of pro or Elite status. Makes sense though, TT bikes in a tight pace line would be challenging for many and probably not the safest idea in the world.

In fact, I think the AG race takes place in the morning and the Elite later in the day sometime. I don't think you even share the course with the pros. The schedule hasn't been posted yet, but it would be an awesome event. I have kind of enjoyed getting to events like this that I can make interesting for my family with other stuff to do. (it helps me get into more events when I can convince the family that we're going someplace for a weekend trip vs. a triathlon). It's a bit exhausting, but it works right now with small kids.

I'm really tempted to sign up. I love Chicago and we have some friends up there. This might be the excuse I'm looking for!

I've not read through anything official here, but I'm going to go out and say that the AG race will 99% positive be non-drafting. There's ITU sanctioned events held in the U.S. every year with Continental Cup races (entry level pro races) this one in Chicago next year happens to be WTS race which is the 3rd tier of elite racing, the 2nd tier I believe being called Elite Cup (they keep changing names, darn sport with growing pains). It takes earning points at the continental cup level to race the 2nd tier and then consequently more points in the second tier and petitioning your country's governing body (USAT in our case) for a spot at a WTS race since each country is limited the number of spots based on whether they're hosting or its an "away game."

Short little tidbit on elite series racing, but back to the matter at hand there are essentially only a handful of draft legal age group races held each year in the U.S. and they are predominantly the Elite Development Series races (25 and under, older athletes petition for entry, limited to 75 racers). EDR's were held in Monroe Washington and Sarasota and Clermont Florida this year. There seems to be a possible other draft legal races for Juniors floating in my mind, but I could be making that up.

So if you're looking to draft in Chicago then your options are risking the time penalty or working up to the WTS level of pro racing as far as I know currently.

Given the separate formats the elites will race at a different time from age groupers and on a different course (elite races are looped format for faster racing and better spectating). Should be a good race to watch though and a great opportunity for the US to build some awareness.