ERRL team winners 2007

[JohnC]

The new race category system will have a key effect on the team competition.

This year, over half the points will be won in less than a quarter of the races, i.e. Nat B

Conversely, 3rd and 4th Cat only races (Reg B & C+) although the most numerous and comprising over 40% of the races, only have 14% of the points allocation.

Will the team competition be a shoo-in for any Elite sponsored team that turns up to the National races? Has the original aim of the ERRL, i.e. regional level racing for local teams, been maintained?

[ChrisB]

Has the original aim of the ERRL, i.e. regional level racing for local teams, been maintained?

John,

this has been well-covered already. The League has outgrown that notion, and is now under a larger obligation to provide racing for all.

As far as your observations go - there are scant few Elite riders riding for ERRL teams. Many of the points on offer in national level events will go begging to non-ERRL riders, unlike the events at regional level, so your analysis, whilst correct, fails to reflect the reality of the situation.

[dstaite]

Has the original aim of the ERRL, i.e. regional level racing for local teams, been maintained?

John,

this has been well-covered already. The League has outgrown that notion, and is now under a larger obligation to provide racing for all.

As far as your observations go - there are scant few Elite riders riding for ERRL teams. Many of the points on offer in national level events will go begging to non-ERRL riders, unlike the events at regional level, so your analysis, whilst correct, fails to reflect the reality of the situation.

Nice quote on the Lea valley 'classic' chris on london cycle sport. Hopefully will see a strong field this year although it does clash with a national A.

I look forward to riding a few ERRL races when I have a spare weekend.

Take Care
Dan

[JohnC]

Has the original aim of the ERRL, i.e. regional level racing for local teams, been maintained?

John,

this has been well-covered already. The League has outgrown that notion, and is now under a larger obligation to provide racing for all.

Then you had better change page 1 of this website:

The Eastern Road Race League, formerly known as the Essex Road Race League, is the premier organisation for club-level road racing in the East of England.

[ChrisB]

Then you had better change page 1 of this website:

The Eastern Road Race League, formerly known as the Essex Road Race League, is the premier organisation for club-level road racing in the East of England.

Why? Is that statement not true any more? As far as I can see, the ERRL DOES supply the bulk of club-level events in the Eastern Division. If it's not EXCLUSIVELY club-level, does that matter?

[JohnC]

Then you had better change page 1 of this website:

The Eastern Road Race League, formerly known as the Essex Road Race League, is the premier organisation for club-level road racing in the East of England.

Why? Is that statement not true any more? As far as I can see, the ERRL DOES supply the bulk of club-level events in the Eastern Division. If it's not EXCLUSIVELY club-level, does that matter?

Well, yes!

Due to the knock-on effect of the BC race categorisation/points change and ERRL having to put in Nat B instead of Nat C, the deciding factor in the competition will be how many non-ERRL non-club level / elite riders turn up for the Nat B races and dilute the available points. (The 9 out of 37 National B races will carry 55% of the points)

A bit like the ECCA Festival road race to the Festival competition, where you had to look and see how many non-ECCA finished in front of you, although that was only a minor factor in the overall.

This time the number of non-ERRL turning up will be the deciding factor of the overall.

[ChrisB]

What has who wins the ERRL got to do with what racing it provides?

And my argument about how many points will be awarded to ERRL riders at National B events still stands.

[David Mclean]

Who cares if there are non ERRL riders in our races? I don't. The ERRL isn't an exclusive club, its just a way to make lots of races happen, the ERRL competition (in my opinion) is just a little bonus on the side. I won't be targeting the individual points competition this year (just like the other years), I shall be trying to get results against quality opposition, I don't care if they're in the Glade, TEE, Team MK or PCA.

I would like our open races to be just that, OPEN! I'm fed up (already) of the idea of travelling all over the place all the time to race against higher quality opposition (something I would not have to do too often if I lived in Surrey or the North west). The situation at the moment for higher category riders outside the region is that they won't travel into the region to race (because of our ERRL boys club, an attitude that is slowly changing) but if you're inside the region and want to race, you will have to travel out.

JohnC, you take on the responsibility for developing U16 riders (extremely commendable I might add), what are they to race when they become Juniors? Chippers? Perhaps for a little while. What will they do after that when they move up a category or two? They will want to ride big races, hopefully some of them in the Eastern Region. And what better vehicle for big races than the ERRL? Or are you going to give them driving lessons as well?

Screw this, I'm off to Lanzarote for a week. Bye.

[speedyshaun]

I would like our open races to be just that, OPEN! I'm fed up (already) of the idea of travelling all over the place all the time to race against higher quality opposition (something I would not have to do too often if I lived in Surrey or the North west). The situation at the moment for higher category riders outside the region is that they won't travel into the region to race (because of our ERRL boys club, an attitude that is slowly changing) but if you're inside the region and want to race, you will have to travel out.

Or stay a 2nd cat :roll: :wink:

[notsoracy rich]

I will not be targeting the individual points competition this year either.

Rich. :(

[Andy B]

I will not be targeting the individual points competition this year either.

Rich. :(

At least allowing Elites means that we may get a winner who is genuinely the best in the ERRL - the problem in the past has been that sometimes the best riders have been upgraded to either 1st cat (in the old days) or elite so they can't win anymore league points, allowing other riders to take the title.

....not that I want to sound bitter about it :wink: :lol:

[p-co]

I will not be targeting the individual points competition this year either.

Rich. :(
Wimp :wink:

[JohnC]

I think consensus is that elites should be able to race in the ERRL. I agree, but no non-ERRL before ERRL. That's when you get teams running races but unable to get in on the series.

There will conversely be teams taking regular places that never have to consider putting back in and running a race.

Also the Regional and National series should run separate competitions as well as an amalgamated one.

Otherwise regional points are swamped and any good 2/3/4 race series teams not recognised.

This all stems from the BC race category reorganisation. I have at various times over the past 2 years tried to point out anomalies and solutions with regard to race classification and points system, but as per Eastway legacy, BC seem unable to take on board regional issues.

[ChrisB]

To start with John, all this went before the AGM, so your objections are a little bit late. You even had a club rep at the meeting - was she not properly mandated?

no non-ERRL before ERRL. That's when you get teams running races but unable to get in on the series.

Nonsense. ERRL riders still get preference, so unless we get a field full of Elites (and by 2008, there will be a lot fewer Elites than now), ERRL 1sts still get preference over non-ERRL 1sts, and ERRL 2nds get preference over non-ERRL 2nds. What this DOES provide is proper competition for the top local riders, more incentive for clubs to promote E/1/2/3 races, and, who knows, maybe more riders bridging the gap from regional to national level. All good for the sport locally, no? Besides which, there are many more regional events that the ERRL 2nds and 3rds still get first look-in.

There will conversely be teams taking regular places that never have to consider putting back in and running a race.

But that happens already. And unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do about it - there's nothing to stop small Elite clubs that don't promote from entering races.

Also the Regional and National series should run separate competitions as well as an amalgamated one.

I look forward to your proposal for the next AGM.

Otherwise regional points are swamped and any good 2/3/4 race series teams not recognised.

Let's see how this season goes, eh? No way to tell as yet, is there?

This all stems from the BC race category reorganisation. I have at various times over the past 2 years tried to point out anomalies and solutions with regard to race classification and points system, but as per Eastway legacy, BC seem unable to take on board regional issues.

How have you done this? Through the proper channels? I.e. at regional level, and then with the support of the regional board, at national level? Or as your normal style seems to be, just by complaining on forums like this one?

[Barky]

I know I shouldn't find him amusing, but i'm starting to, it's like he's been hibernating away from human beings for the last few months. Then coming on forums with ill thought through plans, which look like they've been manufactured for the specific reason of winding people up. Brilliant, more fun than Mr Blobby. "Can we keep him mummy?"