| Common penalties to avoid |
Below are a list of the most common mistakes which lead to penalties. Penalties can keep you from
reaching your goal by adding on time or possible disqualification.
Common USAT rules:
1. Helmets:
No modifications may be made to the helmet. Helmets must be worn as they were purchased. If the
helmet came with a cloth cover, the cover must be on the helmet when competing. Helmets must be
worn at all times while on your bike. This means before leaving transition, during, and after entering
transition.
Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps:
Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless
you are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.
Walking from T-1 to the mount line. Notice that the helmets are on and chin straps buckled.
Also, watch for the bike mount / dismount line which will be outside of the transition area. It will be a line
painted on the ground and there will be volunteer's there to assist you (see photo below).
3. Outside Assistance:
No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and
duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Transition Area:
All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The
wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their
bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another
participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly
plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
5. Drafting:
Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move
into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.
Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists
attempting to pass.
Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to
pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
6. Course:
All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting
the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not
cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.
Penalty: Referee's discretion
7. Headphones:
Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time
during the race.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
9. Race numbers:
All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front
and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT
transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.
Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and one year suspension
from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.
10. Wetsuits:
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned
by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water
temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants
may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit
within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits
are prohibited.
11. Abandonment:
All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire
time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course. For example, if a water bottles falls off
your bike, you must go back and pick it up
Penalty: Variable time penalty
reaching your goal by adding on time or possible disqualification.
Common USAT rules:
1. Helmets:
No modifications may be made to the helmet. Helmets must be worn as they were purchased. If the
helmet came with a cloth cover, the cover must be on the helmet when competing. Helmets must be
worn at all times while on your bike. This means before leaving transition, during, and after entering
transition.
Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps:
Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless
you are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.
Walking from T-1 to the mount line. Notice that the helmets are on and chin straps buckled.
Also, watch for the bike mount / dismount line which will be outside of the transition area. It will be a line
painted on the ground and there will be volunteer's there to assist you (see photo below).
3. Outside Assistance:
No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and
duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Transition Area:
All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The
wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their
bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another
participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly
plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
5. Drafting:
Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move
into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.
Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists
attempting to pass.
Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to
pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
6. Course:
All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting
the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not
cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.
Penalty: Referee's discretion
7. Headphones:
Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time
during the race.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
9. Race numbers:
All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front
and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT
transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.
Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and one year suspension
from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.
10. Wetsuits:
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned
by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water
temperature is greater than 78 degrees but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants
may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit
within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits
are prohibited.
11. Abandonment:
All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire
time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course. For example, if a water bottles falls off
your bike, you must go back and pick it up
Penalty: Variable time penalty
