In March of 2011 the Colorado cycling community couldn’t help but miss the new website and branding Boulder Racing rolled out. With the new logos and sponsors came the same great events the Colorado community has grown to love over the years. What most people don’t know is that after 12 seasons Boulder Racing underwent a major behind the scenes transition in the way of new owners. So who are the new faces of Boulder Racing and what are their plans for the near and long term future?

For those new to competitive bike racing Boulder Racing was founded in 1999 by Brian Hludzinski and over the next decade built the company into Colorado's leader in cycling event production. Over the years Boulder Racing become known for organized operations, professionally designed courses, stellar venues, and fun atmospheres for the whole family. At the end of 2010 Brian met the Panigutti brothers of Without Limits Productions. Without Limits, with its roots in triathlon production, dabbled in the cyclocross scene back in 2009 when it rolled out CYCLO X Boulder. Most missed the frigid event, but those who braved the 12 fresh inches of powder experienced one of the first chip timed cyclocross races, complete with lap times. The weather didn’t weaken their resolve and passion for cyclocross production, which quickly caught the attention of Brian a few months later. The younger brother Lance commented after, “sure we lost money, but we got to play in the dirt with a bobcat for a week! Our goal was to show the possibilities of chip timing, which we achieved. Combine that with any chance you get to play with excavators and it’s a win in our book!”

With the increased popularity of cyclocross comes larger field sizes. Also with the popularity comes additional categories (i.e. Men 35+/3s, SingleSpeed etc). These additional categories are easily added by having the new category start 30 seconds to a minute behind the established category. A couple unintended consequences occur from these added categories. The first consequence is the dilution of other fields. For instance, the addition of the 35+/3s has taken away from the 35+ and the 3s. The second consequence is lapped riders.

What is interesting is there has been quite a bit of talk about how to handle lapped riders. This issue is not a Colorado issue but happens at all levels and all around the country. When talking about lapped riders people usually bring up the 80% rule. Here is an explanation of the rule from the USA Cyling Rulebook

5G1. Before the start of a race, it should be announced whether lapped riders will be pulled or remain in the race. If riders are to be pulled, the following applies:
(a) Riders who have been lapped shall continue the lap to a designated location before the finish line and withdraw, under the control of the officials.
(b) The Chief Referee may, after consulting with the organizer, impose the 80% rule. Under this rule, riders whose time gap to the race leader is at least 80% of the race leader’s time for the first lap will be pulled by the officials unless it is the final lap. The number of 80% is merely an approximation based on a typical course; the intent is that all riders should be pulled before they are lapped.
(c) Riders who have been pulled because of lapping or the 80% rule will be listed in the results based on their position when pulled and the number of laps remaining. The results will list the number of laps remaining after the lap on which they were pulled.