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Team Racing at Furnace Creek 508 As of 2004, the team division at Furnace Creek 508 follows a fixed relay (stage race) format, rather than an open relay format as in years past (1993 through 2003). As such, teams race the event in stages, wherein each team member will race from one time station to the next, then switch off with another team member. There are seven time stations and thus eight stages on the course; two rider team members will race four stages each and four rider team members will race two stages each. Racers will switch off while stationary in the presence of the time station staff, passing a baton between them before resuming racing. Teams must complete the route in a fixed order: Two rider teams must switch off at each time station, rotating A-B-A-B-A-B-A-B. Four rider teams must rotate A-B-C-D-A-B-C-D in the order declared at check-in. Exception for either two or four rider teams: if a rider is unable to complete his or her designated leg, the team must return to the previous time station and restart with the next rider in sequence. Although that rider may return to the rotation order later, the team must then remain out of sequence for the remainder of the race in terms of which stages are completed by which rider. Example for a four rider team: Rider C is unable to complete stage three. His or her team must return to Trona and restart there with rider D, with no credit given for time lost or miles already completed. Thereafter A will complete stage four, B will complete stage five, C will complete stage six (if capable, otherwise D would complete stage six), etc. Example for two rider team: Rider B is unable to complete stage four. His or her team must return to Furnace Creek and restart there with rider A, with no credit given for time lost or miles already completed. Rider B may return to the rotation on the next or any subsequent stage. Note: this "rotation sequence exception rule" many not be used for strategic purposes. It may only be used because of injury, broken down bicycle, or some other significant, unforeseen incident which precludes the rider in question from completing his or her assigned stage. Proof of the necessity of using this exception must be given and documented. For all applicable relay team rules, visit the Rules section of the website. Stage Descriptions (Note that, in 2004, TS#6 was moved back to Kelso - mile 416.5 instead of mile mile 429.3 - and TS#7 was moved back to before Amboy - mile 450.3 instead of mile 479.03.)
Note: For further detail and insights about each stage, and the overall route, be sure to take the 2D and 3D Tour of the Race Course and especially the stage-by-stage breakdown of the race course. Rider Mileage and Elevation Gain Breakdowns: Two Rider A rides Stages 1, 3, 5, and 7: 82.25mi + 99.2mi + 56.3mi + 33.8mi = 271.55 miles. Two Rider B rides Stages 2, 4, 6, and 8: 70.25mi + 73.6mi + 34.90mi + 58.2mi = 236.95 miles. Four Rider A rides Stages 1 and 5: 82.25mi + 56.3mi = 138.55 miles. Four Rider B rides Stages 2 and 6: 70.25mi + 34.9mi = 105.15 miles. Four Rider C rides Stages 3 and 7: 99.2mi + 33.8mi = 133 miles. Four Rider D rides Stages 4 and 8: 73.6mi + 58.2mi = 131.8 miles. Categories Offered (with fixed gear subdivision offered for each): • Mens Two Rider (average age groups: 10+, 20+, 30+, 40+, 50+, 60+, 70+) |
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