Commissaire (cycling)
Encyclopedia
A commissaire is an official in competitive cycling
, usually seen with a copy of the racing rules, a stopwatch and a clipboard. Commissaires are similar to judges or referees in other sports — a commissaire is the person in charge of the race and the Chief Commissaire has the power to shut down the event if protocols are breached.
Their main aim is to ensure the racing is both fair and safe. The Commissaire is independent and impartial. They ensure safety of the track and check for appropriate safety gear. Fairness is ensured by checking equipment and policing any disputes.
Commissaires require an officiating license, issued at different levels, before they can officiate at an event.
International commissaires must have at least two years of experience as a national commissaire, and are proposed to the UCI by their national governing body.
National commissaires can operate in other countries as 'observer commissaires' as long as they have the permission of both their own and the foreign governing bodies.
or British Cycling
. Some split grades into A and B divisions in the same way as the UCI
. Award of a commissaire's licence is generally dependent on passing a written exam on the rules and race operation.
Retired commissaires can sometimes continue in a mentoring role as a 'senior commissaire'.
Some national federations prefer an alternative term, such as 'referee', in place of 'commissaire'.
Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...
, usually seen with a copy of the racing rules, a stopwatch and a clipboard. Commissaires are similar to judges or referees in other sports — a commissaire is the person in charge of the race and the Chief Commissaire has the power to shut down the event if protocols are breached.
Their main aim is to ensure the racing is both fair and safe. The Commissaire is independent and impartial. They ensure safety of the track and check for appropriate safety gear. Fairness is ensured by checking equipment and policing any disputes.
Commissaires require an officiating license, issued at different levels, before they can officiate at an event.
Road cycling
With road-racing, the commissaire is in charge of the riders, team vehicles and neutral service vehicles. The chief commissaire decides when the team cars can go up to the riders and which groups of riders need to have a commissaire with them when the race splits into many groups.Track cycling
At a track race the commissaire has to organise the different heats and also take any decisions that need making with regard to the rules for the different disciplines.Mountain bike
- Olympic cross country
- Downhill
- Enduro
- Four-cross
International commissaires
- A and B grades
- Olympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, and Commonwealth Games
International commissaires must have at least two years of experience as a national commissaire, and are proposed to the UCI by their national governing body.
National commissaires can operate in other countries as 'observer commissaires' as long as they have the permission of both their own and the foreign governing bodies.
National grades
Commissaire grades below this level are governed by the relevant national cycling sport organisation such as USA CyclingUSA Cycling
USA Cycling or USAC, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the national governing body for bicycle racing in the United States. It covers the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX and collegiate racing...
or British Cycling
British Cycling
British Cycling is the national governing body for cycle racing in Great Britain. It administers most competitive cycling in Great Britain, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man...
. Some split grades into A and B divisions in the same way as the UCI
Union Cycliste Internationale
Union Cycliste Internationale is the world governing body for sports cycling and oversees international competitive cycling events. The UCI is based in Aigle, Switzerland....
. Award of a commissaire's licence is generally dependent on passing a written exam on the rules and race operation.
- National commissaire
- State commissaire (in some federal countries)
- Regional commissaire
- Divisional commissaire
Retired commissaires can sometimes continue in a mentoring role as a 'senior commissaire'.
Some national federations prefer an alternative term, such as 'referee', in place of 'commissaire'.