CTT GO WITH HARD SHELL HELMETS

CYCLING Time Trials, at its National Council meeting in Derby, agreed to continue its joint promotion of the British Time Trial Championships with British Cycling despite the fact that this would mean hard shell helmets being compulsory for all competitors.

BC had raised concerns that, as the elite men?s and women?s events carry UCI ranking points, the events should be run under UCI rules including the use of helmets.

It will also mean that all categories except masters will have to ride UCI-compliant machines, all competitors would have to be members of BC (provided free of charge for those who require it), and only UK nationals would qualify for the title. For the junior championship, riders must be over 14 and subject to gear restrictions, but a separate event would be promoted for juveniles excluded from the junior race.

While some wanted CTT to go its own way, a majority of the National Council agreed with chairman Peter McGrath when he pointed out that CTT could be ?sidelined? by BC and the UCI. ?It would be a negative move,? McGrath said.

South District wanted the National Committee to prepare and issue a ?Sport Specific Event and Safety Code for Cycle Time Trials? following the publishing of the Home Office?s 74-page Good Practice Safety Guide (CW, page 16, Nov 30).

National secretary Phil Heaton said that only one and a half pages were specific to time trials. The Council decided National Committee should look at the Code and ?take what ever action is needed to safeguard the future of the sport.?