Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Yes, the Omnium starts tonight...............

Yes, the Omnium starts tonight!

Hi Everyone! So, last year, our local climbing ace - Mark Bloom - was talking to me about the local "Omnium" races we had going on in August and September. There are different names for each of these Omniums(Nutcracker Omnium, Rumpstomper Omnium, Dog Days Omnium, etc.......and yes, they'll be happening again this summer). But Mark came up with a pretty silly name for these Omniums - he called them "Rodneyums". I busted up laughing when he said it! So, for lack of a better name at this point in time, the 1st "Rodneyum" will be taking place next week - March 24th through March 26th!

Stages of the March 2009 Omnium:

Tues., March 24th - Chico Airport Criterium - 1st Stage of the March Omnium(Rain or Wet Pavement will cancel this event).
Wed., March 25th - Fast 50 - 2nd Stage of the March Omnium
Thurs., March 26th - River Road 10-Mile TT - 3rd and Final Stage of the March Omnium

How does it work??? Okay, in this scenario, an Omnium(or Rodneyum) is just a stage race using points rather than time - and you do not have to complete one stage in order to do the next stage. You garner points for each stage depending upon how you did in the stage.......and, again, in this particular case.........the MOST points wins(many Omniums reverse this and have the least amount of points winning). There WILL be a Category "A" and Category "B" - you must tell me at the start of the Airport Criterium which Category you are entering.......and no downgrades during the Omnium once you're in. Categories may be combined, changed or eliminated if not enough folks come out. Most USCF rules will apply to ALL stages - including WEAR YOUR HELMET, don't ride too much like a lunatic, and so on and so forth. Please read the section carefully at the bottom of this e-mail for all the rules pertaining to the Omnium. The River Road 10-Mile Time Trial - aero equipment WILL be allowed! And remember - the only reasons we're doing this Omnium is for fun and fitness......and maybe a little competitiveness too, but nothing over-the-top please! Ride safe, have fun, try something new and challenge yourself. Anyone doing any of the stages is automatically entered in the Omnium..........but consistency in the events will be key to winning the Overall. The March Rodneyum Trophy will be awarded to the winner in each Category of the Omnium. There are 4 Trophies to be awarded in this Omnium(winners may be dependent upon category participation though).

The Point Breakdown for EACH stage:

Tuesday, March 24th - Chico Airport Criterium:
(YES - Prime Points DO count towards the Omnium!!)
1st = 24 points (NOT to be added to the season-long point standings in the Criterium Series....those points are separate from the Omnium)
2nd = 20 points
3rd = 18 points
4th = 16 points
5th = 14 points
6th = 12 points
7th = 10 points
8th = 8 points
9th = 6 points
10th = 4 points
11th = 2 points
Everyone else = 1 point

Wednesday, March 25th - Fast 50:
(Elk Avenue Sprint, Fimple Avenue Sprint and Duncan Avenue Sprint EACH count as 3,2,1 - 3 points for 1st, 2 for 2nd, 1 for 3rd)
(These 3 Intermediate Sprints count for Category "A" only!)
1st = 24 points
2nd = 20 points
3rd = 18 points
4th = 16 points
5th = 14 points
6th = 12 points
7th = 10 points
8th = 8 points
9th = 6 points
10th = 4 points
11th = 2 points
Everyone else = 1 point

Thursday, March 26th - River Road 10-Mile Time Trial:
(Yes, Aero equipment will be allowed for this event).
1st = 24 points
2nd = 20 points
3rd = 18 points
4th = 16 points
5th = 14 points
6th = 12 points
7th = 10 points
8th = 8 points
9th = 6 points
10th = 4 points
11th = 2 points
Everyone else = 1 point

RULES:
And Finally - ANY rider participating in ALL 3 Stages receives an additional 10 points.
Do you have to do all the stages in order to compete in the Omnium?? No - you can even do just one event and your points will still be calculated and counted in the overall. And REMEMBER - Safety come before bragging rights, so be careful!!!
As always, the Director reserves the right to DQ anyone deemed cheating, unsafe or unsportsmanlike(no worries - just be cool like always and all will be good!!).
Tie-Breaker - If, by chance, it comes down to a TIE after the last stage of the Omnium, the highest placed finisher(of the tied competitors) in the River Road 10-Mile Time Trial will be declared the Overall Winner of the Rodneyum.

Rodney.............
Team Chico & R.A.C.E. - Rodney's Ambiguous Cycling Events
Chico, CA