RAW Madison rules

[Cashy]

Thinking about having a crack at the madisons this year.  It was all a bit daunting last year.

What are the RAW / DGV rules re: the relief rider?  Does he have to continue to circle the track, does he have to wait at the top of the track or can he choose to do either?

[Artson]

Cashy
This may have to be answered by Peter Tomlinson (UCI commisaire and Regular RAW commisaire)

Rule 80, J, 4 of CNSW Technical regulations
In relieving, the members of a team must not interfere with other competitors. The relieved competitor must stay on the inside of the track or continue in a straight line from wherever the exchange was made until all other competitors in that group have passed safely. When the track is clear, the relieved competitor may move up the track and proceed slowly until time for the next exchange. If there are special regulations on where the competitors must stay, they must be explained to the competitors before the race

However,
Most riders at the DGV roll around at the top of the track; I have heard that it is a rule for tracks 250m and below.
I know that on longer tracks it is definitely wiser to grab the fence and wait.

The above rule aplies to championship events

[Peter T]

Thanks for invitation to comment on the Madison Artson, some basic rules and comments (hopefully not too long winded);

Teams shall be of two riders (rarely can be three) wearing the same colours and number ( in RAW this may be not necessary).

There must be one rider of each team in the race at all times.

Riders may relieve each other at any time during the race (sometimes a rule for no changes after a sprint whistle/bell is put in place)

Changing should take place below the stayers line (blue line) and as near to the inside edge of the track as practicable i.e. the team member coming in for the change should come in smoothly and leave enough room for the racing group to ride under him until he draws level for the change with his partner. Important riders racing behind the changes should go above the incoming rider or (follow that wheel) never between or under the out- going rider easily the most common cause of a fall!

Relieved riders must take up a position outside the stayers line as soon as it is safe and practicable. (yes on short tracks 250m and because of banking this is safest options)

Changing shall be by one rider drawing level with the other and touching to denote relief.

The touch may be a push or hand-sling (or simply drawing level, this is a safe option to allow a change when team members are split by riders from other teams)

The winners of the race shall be the team which gains the most laps on the other teams.

If two or more teams are on the same lap, the result shall be determined by the team which has won the most sprint points during the race.

Should there be an equality of laps and points, the winners shall be the best placed team in the final sprint.
The race shall end when the leading team has completed the distance.

Lapped riders need not fulfill lost laps, and shall be placed as so many laps behind the winners.

At pre-determined times during the race there will be sprints for points, with the first four teams over the line gaining 5, 3, 2 and 1 points respectively. (At RAW Madisons are often run as scratch like race)

A whistle shall be blown to indicate one lap to go before a sprint.

A bell will be rung at the start of the last lap.

Teams that rejoin the field, after gaining or losing laps, shall be eligible for sprint points.

Any team retiring from the race shall inform the Chief Commissaire immediately.

Teams may be disciplined by losing points, losing laps or disqualification.

The Chief Commissaire may neutralise a race should it be considered necessary to do so, as in the case of a crash involving several teams or the track becoming unsafe or impracticable for use.

The Chief Commissaire may withdraw teams who fall too many laps behind or who, in his opinion, may constitute a danger to other riders.