Veterans Time Trials Association

A Fresh Start for Standards

The New Standards — Why We Need Them

The VTTA Standard Tables were first issued in 1943 for the 25 mile distance to give an effective handicapping system for riders over 40 years of age. Over the years the other event distances and durations were added but essentially following a similar formula that, it was believed, reflected the projected age decline in riders' performances. However changes in health, life expectancy, nutrition, training and equipment have meant that the assumptions on which the standard tables were based have increasingly departed from the reality of riders' contemporary performances. This had become well recognised but changing the Standards, with which vets were so familiar, was seen as a nettle that one feared to grasp. The 2011 AGM, however, seized the nettle and established a Working Party to come up with a viable new system. After a year of intensive research, analysis and discussion, stimulated by helpful if at times critical inputs from many different vets, the National Executive Committee accepted the Working Party's recommendations and put forward a series of rule changes to this year's Annual General Meeting. The key motion to accept the new standards was passed by a decisive two-thirds majority. So 69 years on from when they started we are now in a new world of Standard Tables which will have a major impact on vet competitions. Should vets look forward to this major change with hope and excitement or some anxiety and trepidation? Let me explain these changes in some detail and the benefits they will bring to the VTTA and its members.

What is the Purpose of the Changes?

The key purpose of the changes can be simply summed up as creating a fairer basis of competition for all VTTA members, a 'level playing field' for vets of all ages and for both men and women. As members recognise, the results in open events and championships have become largely skewed in favour of older male riders. For the future health and credibility of the VTTA this had to change. In developing the new tables and calculations the fundamental issue has therefore been one of ethics not mathematics. The Working Party's aim was to achieve fairness, and the use of thousands of event results and the many iterations that were tried in formulae and tables were a means to that end. As the work progressed, and in discussion with the NEC, the broader implications of new standards became clear and this has resulted in quite a wide ranging set of changes that were proposed and approved at the AGM in January.

What are the Key Changes?

The approval of the recommendations resulting from the review of Standards has resulted in changes that impact virtually all aspects of vets' time trialling and competition. In summary the key changes are:

1. New standard tables for all distances (10, 25, 30, 50 and 100 miles) and durations (12 and 24 hours)
2. Separate tables for women and trikes and use of the new tables for tandem results
3. Simplified rules for awards in National Championships
4. New formulas for the 3 Distance and the 4 Distance BAR Competitions
5. New rules regarding applying for Personal Standard Claims at the end of each season

How will the Changes Affect Vets?

It is helpful to draw out the implications of the changes under four areas as follows:

1. Results on Standard in Time Trials — we will be encouraging all CTT event organisers as well those of VTTA organised events to use the new tables to calculate results on standards. We will be providing result sheet templates on the VTTA website that will give organisers an automatic calculation of a rider's plus or minus against standard on input of their age, sex, and machine type. Using the new tables will give a level playing field that will stimulate a much more open and fairer competition on standard for vets of all ages and both sexes.
2. National Championships — given that we now have a level playing field, all age category awards in National Championships have been abolished. There will be one result in National Championships covering all riders. There will also be no distinctions in terms of men and women, bikes and trikes for the riders taking part in team awards. This will create a very open and exciting National Championships with all VTTA members competing on equal terms. It means that younger riders and women in particular will have a real chance of winning National medals from which they have been effectively excluded in recent years.
3. 3 Distance Competition and 4 Distance BAR Competition — firstly these competitions will also benefit from the level playing field provided by the new tables. In the case of the 4 Distance Competition there is a more sophisticated formula for combining the 12 hour duration event with the 25, 50 and 100 mile distance events. In addition each of the 3 or 4 distances will now contribute equally to the final result whereas in the past for example the result of the 3 Distance Competition was largely determined by the much greater plus that could be achieved in the 100 mile event. These changes create fresh and fairer season long competitions and will make them more open to riders of different ages as well as equalising abilities at the shorter and longer distances.
4. Personal Standard Medals — a rider will make their end of season standard claims based on performances against the new tables. In 2012 (or the first year a rider competes for standards) they will only have to complete an open event at any of the distances or durations in order to claim their first standard medal. In subsequent seasons they will have to improve on the plus or the minus they have recorded previously. This means that standard medals are open to all riders who improve even if they do not produce a plus result on standard. The new standards do generally give smaller increments year on year which will make achieving improved results on standard somewhat harder. Therefore if a rider has not achieved an improvement after 3 years (not 7 years as under the previous rule) they can 'reset' their standard and start again with effectively a new claim. This is a great opportunity for all vets to achieve standards under the new system and to pursue the challenge of consistent year on year on performance.

The above changes provide a fresh foundation for vets' time trial competition. The AGM endorsed the view that these changes are justified and necessary and I believe they will go a long way to stimulating competition and participation. The VTTA will also be seen as an organisation that has a modern, fair and well-founded system.

Andrew Simpkins
Chairman of the Standards Review Working Party