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The men's and women's events will both start with seeding phase, where each rider runs the track twice (fast time selected) to determine seeding. This ensures that the fastest riders do not meet before the final. The men will contest quarterfinals, held over 3 runs, with points awarded according to places. The top four riders with the lowest score will advance to the semifinals. The semifinals are also held over 3 runs, with the top four riders with the lowest score advancing to the final. The final is held over a single run.
The women advance directly from the seeding run to the semifinals (3 runs) and then final (1 run).
The number of riders is limited to 48 (32 men and 16 women). The Olympic event format is very similar to the traditional BMX race format, where eight (8) riders compete head-to-head (in a heat) throughout several phases and the top four (4) riders qualify (progress) to the next phase. In order to avoid the fastest riders meeting before the final, both events begin with a seeding phase (one single rider on the track at a time) to determine seeding. There are two (2) seeding runs, and the best time from these runs is used for seeding.
Differences Between the UCI World Championships and Olympic Games
In addition to the above described differences in the competition format, the UCI World Championships contains more competitors due to the different quotas for NOC participation. At the UCI World Championships there are also additional Junior and Challenge classes.
Changes Since the Athens 2004 Olympic Games
This sport is included in the Olympics for the first time.
Sport Rules and Procedures:
Scoring system
For each run in which he/she competes, a rider shall receive a point (score) equal to his/her rank (finish position) in this run (race). The rider in first place earns one (1) point and so on down to the eighth placed rider, who will receive eight (8) points. The four (4) riders with the lowest total points earned in the runs qualify to the next stage of competition. A rider who starts but does not complete a run will be recorded as “Did Not Finish” (DNF), and will receive a score equal to the number of riders who started the run, and will be eligible to qualify. A rider who does not start a run will be recorded as “Did Not Start” (DNS), will receive a score equal to the number of riders in the start list for that heat plus two (2), and will be eligible to qualify.
Starting order / Start gates pick (selection)
During the Seeding phase riders will start in the reverse order of their UCI BMX Ranking. There will be an internal draw for riders that are not ranked. In the phases that follow, riders have the opportunity to pick a preferred gate. For the first run in the first elimination phase (QF for men, SF for women) the first gate pick will be given to the best ranked rider from the seeding phase. The gate pick order for subsequent runs (2 and 3) will be determined by the rank in the previous run. The order of the gate pick in the first run of the following phases (SF and Final for men, Final for women) will be determined by ranking in the last (3rd) run of the previous phase. This ranking will be established based on the achieved time determined by means of a transponder attached to the bicycle.
Tie-Break Rules:
Seeding phase
If two or more riders have the same best time after the seeding phase, ties are broken:
1. By the 2nd fastest time
2. By start order
If two or more riders have DNF in both runs of the seeding phase, ties are broken:
1. By start order
Quarterfinals and semifinals
If a photo finish cannot break the tie within a run, the riders will share the same rank. If two or more riders within the same heat have the same number of points after 3 runs, ties are broken:
1. By results in the 3rd run
2. By results in the 2nd run
3. By results in the 1st run
4. By gate selection order of run 1
Final
- If a photo finish cannot break the tie, UCI will find a solution to break the tie.
Gate selection order
If two or more riders have the same time in the previous run, ties are broken:
1. By the best time from the seeding phase
2. By the second best time from the seeding phase
3. By start order from the seeding phase
If two or more riders have DNF in the previous run, ties are broken:
1. By the best time from the seeding phase
2. By the second best time from the seeding phase
3. By start order from the seeding phase
Penalties / Disqualification Rules
The Chief Commissaire may invoke any of the following censures against a rider who commits an infraction of the rules:
1. An official warning - A rider may receive an official warning for certain misconduct (i.e. barging the start gate, misconduct in riding, cutting the track intentionally). The first warning issued carries no specific penalty other than the advice of the warning, however a subsequent warning for the same, or any other offence during the competition will result in the rider's disqualification from the event.
2. Relegate a rider to the last position within a heat
3. Disqualification of a rider - A rider may be disqualified and thereby barred from further participation in the entire event.
Protests / Appeals
Decisions of the Commissaires Panel are considered final, and there are no protests.
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Aug 21 2008, 02:52 PM
