Mountain Bike XC Assistant Commissaire Training

In order to cover the content for each of the mountain bike disciplines properly British Cycling has now separated the training for cross country from four cross and downhill.

Prior to commencing the course candidates will need to complete a pre-course test based on the British Cycling Mountain Bike Organisers Handbook.

This nationally delivered course enables new assistant commissaires to gain confidence and acquire the skills necessary to help at any region level cross country mountain bike race. It will also allow more experienced officials a chance to familiarise themselves with the most up to date practice and share these experiences.

The course is delivered in five modules:

• Safeguarding and protecting children: The Safeguarding and protecting children module covers the best practice of how to deal with young and vulnerable persons. It covers how the commissaire can use best practice to deal with real life situations that might occur at a cross country mountain bike race.
• Communication: The communication module covers how commissaires will set an example and maintain their authority during a race. The module also covers how varied behaviour may have unintended affects.
• Administration: The administration module covers how to check permits, licences and the importance of keeping good records before, during and after the race.
• Technical: The technical module covers the responsibilities of the commissaire regarding the competitors clothing and equipment. How to conduct a pre race risk assessment and interpret the documents provided by the organiser.
• Competition: The competition module is split in to two parts dealing firstly with discipline and sanctions. Then how to conduct a race start, gridding, lap scoring and series standings. Once candidates have recorded the competition they will need to complete the relevant post race administration.

Mountain Bike Commissaire Progression: Once a commissaire has completed the assistant commissaire training they will need to attend at least 3 events over at least 18 hours of competition (commissaires won't be fully qualified by attending one 24 hour race) and meet the criteria related to the training in order to qualify as a Regional Commissaire. National Mountain bike commissaires will need to understand all the mountain bike disciplines. To cover this regional commissaires in one discipline will also receive instruction in the disciplines that they are less familiar with i.e. cross country commissaires will study four cross and down hill and vice versa on the national course.