Nah he always looks like that!
Our role?
Before the race make contact with organiser and ensure everything is properly prepared. If a series, contact the previous commissaire and find out if there are any issues to be aware of.
On arrival first off make sure the organiser has all the right elements in place, course marking is complete, medical cover in place, lap timing in place, enough marshals, radio comms working etc.
Then check the course, is it safe but challenging for all classes (that can be tricky as very subjective), again check course marking for potential "legal" short cuts, I once came across a half mile loop on a British Champs course that had only been taped on the outside. By jumping the five yard gap between the start and finish, you wouldn't have technically cut the course! (I always carry some tape). Also look for potential illegal short cuts and make sure they are marshalled. Ensure arrows are clear and well placed, check hazards are correctly marked with warning arrows.
Ensure all races start on time, classes are correct, gridding (when done) is managed. take a good look around for unplugged bars, bar ends, riders in "hair nets", canoe helmets, caving helmets etc (yes they still crop up now and again) and start the races.
During races make sure you are aware of any incidents occuring, ensuring injuries are properly dealt with, take reports of potential infringements and judge on them, make sure all is running smoothly with organiser, lap scoring, medics.
If a XC race is running an 80% rule, check leaders time with lap timing, calculate cut off time and then arrange for riders to be pulled from race (rare on domestic races)!
At the end of races judge on sprint finishes, hear protests and judge on them, sort out timing problems (usually due to lost, badly placed or dirty numbers) and make sure all riders are accounted for.
Afterwards, meet with organiser for a debrief and look for lessons learnt, examples of good practice etc.
When you get home, write up the report for British Cycling or UCI and submit within 7 days.
OK so that covers the roles that should be done between a team of five Commissaires but at UK Domestic races we usually end up being appointed on our own (too few Commissaires and too many races) so try and do it all ourselves.
Now any questions?
