1.      Introduction by Ian Poole, Commission Chairman 

Ian Poole welcomed delegates to the meeting, and outlined the proposed structure of the proceedings.

2.      Apologies for absence 

Apologies were received from John Burney, Jonny Clay, Colin Clews, Andy Cosgrove, Jim Court, John Gillmore, Steve Grimwood and Chris Reed.  Brian Furness read out a message from Jim Court, thanking the Commission for his presentation at the National Championships, and for his volunteer nomination which had been acknowledged at the BC awards dinner.

3.      Appointment of “Tellers” 

It was agreed that Ian Gascoigne and Kristin Durrant would act as tellers if needed.

4.      Adoption of minutes of the 2006 Annual Conference 

The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 25th February 2006, had been circulated and were taken as read.  They were AGREED as a true record on a proposal from Liz Slater, seconded by Gordon Siers.  On a question from Kerie Wallace it was acknowledged that Commission minutes had not been placed on the BC website, but this would be prioritised in the coming months as part of a wider BC policy for Commissions.

5.      The role of the Cyclo-Cross Commission and the Annual Conference

Ian Poole and Brian Furness introduced the debate and invited comments from the floor.  The consensus that emerged was a need for better communications at all levels.  Suggestions included better use of the BC website, the inclusion of a fuller list of regional officials in the cyclo-cross handbook, and better dissemination of good practice.  It was agreed to look at the possibility of varying the location of Commission meetings, and including a session to which representatives of local regions were invited.  Chris Gooch also indicated that Commission members would be happy to attend meetings of regional committees where practicable, and answer questions.  Ian Small asked about the possible reintroduction of Crosstalk in Cycling Weekly, and Martin Eadon agreed to look at the feasibility of this.

 

Turning to the role of the Annual Conference, it was agreed that the meeting needed to be more interactive, perhaps with visual presentations.  The Commission agreed to look at ways of streamlining the formal meeting, and of introducing other sessions with a practical interest to members, perhaps combined with a social element.

6.      Adoption of the Cyclo-Cross Annual Report 2006-2007

The report had been circulated to all delegates, and was considered section by section.

 

Cyclo-Cross Commission.  The chairman noted that interaction between Commission members was not restricted to attendance at the formal meetings listed in the report.  They also met at most national events, and liaised by telephone and e-mail.  He acknowledged the contribution to the sport over many years by Harry Gould, and this was endorsed by the meeting. 

 

Seven candidates had been nominated for the seven Commission places, and on a proposal from Geoff Shergold, seconded by Pete Mooney and agreed unanimously, the following were duly elected unopposed: Dan Alexander, Martin Booth, Martin Eadon, Chris Gooch, Peter Hargroves, Kelvin Hoy, Ian Poole.

        

Finance, Administration and Communications.  On a question from Vin Cox, the cyclo-cross co-ordinator provided further details of the financial breakdown.  It was noted that, while the handbook would again be produced in 2007, the situation would have to be reviewed if the current arrangement ceased to be cost effective for the printers.

 

The proposed piloting of ability categories was discussed, and Ian Gascoigne and others questioned the need for such a system, or at least of one which mirrored the complexity of the road racing structure.

 

There was some discussion on the production of generic posters and handbills, which could be overprinted or overwritten with event specific details, and it was agreed that this option should be pursued.

 

Officials’ Training. Chris Gooch supplemented the published report by expanding on his role in representing cyclo-cross on the BC Commissaires and Referees Commission.  He reported that the Commission included representatives from all disciplines, and was committed to promoting good practice and raising standards across the sport.

 

National Competition. Ian Poole summarised the report, and in relation to the draft calendar for 2007-08, confirmed that the Inter-Area Team Championships would be held on Sunday 4th November 2007, at Misterton Hall, near Lutterworth, Leicestershire, promoted by Welland Valley CC.

 

On the lack of support for the national league, supported by Scott, Lee Shunburne commented that the initiative had been a good idea, but too few riders appeared to be aware of it, in spite of prominence in the handbook and racing calendar.

 

There was some debate on long-term planning of the major events programme, and the chairman indicated that it was the intention to try and fix National Championship locations well in advance, with venues already pencilled in through to 2010. He reported on a meeting with the South East England Regional Development Agency and Tourism South East, which was seeking to bring major events to the wider South East region in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics.  Kelvin Hoy suggested that there may be scope to run a cyclo-cross promotion as a test event at the proposed Olympic MTB facility.

 

The cyclo-cross co-ordinator noted a significant increase in UCI calendar fees for 2007-08, which would be underwritten by the Commission.  However the increase in minimum prize money for women’s events could not realistically be underwritten given the level of support for these races, and these races would not be placed on the calendar unless a sponsor was found.

 

International Competition. Peter Hargroves reviewed the international programme, endorsing comments in the report about the difficulty of competing against full-time professional cyclo-cross specialists.  On a question from Pete Mooney, it was noted that a report from the Team Manager had been compiled and would be reviewed by the Commission.  On a further question from Vin Cox, the chairman indicated that approximately one third of the Commission budget  was apportioned to the international programme.

 

Regulations. The new regulation concerning the banning of bar-end extensions was questioned by Geoff Shergold, who felt that it would discourage participation, particularly by youngsters and newcomers.  Martin Eadon argued that this was a safety issue, and that the extensions could easily be removed prior to a race.  Geoff Shergold proposed that the regulation amendment be deleted; this was seconded by Vin Cox and on a vote CARRIED by 12 votes to 5. 

 

Brian Furness indicated that the amendment had been adopted under the proper procedures, i.e. proposed by the Commission on the advice of a senior commissaire, endorsed by the Technical Commission and confirmed by circulation to National Council, and could not summarily be withdrawn. It was proposed that the Commission re-examine the regulation, and consider amendment and the issue of guidelines on the matter.

 

This led to a second proposal from Vin Cox, seconded by Geoff Shergold, that all regulation changes should come to the Annual Conference.  However Pete Mooney argued that such matters should be left to the expertise of the Commission, and on a vote, the proposal was LOST by 6 votes to 13.

7.      Conference Proposals 

1.  From West Midlands

To remind British Cycling of cyclo-cross regulation 1.1. Proposed by Pete Mooney, seconded by Gordon Siers and carried unanimously.

 

2.  From BC Cyclo-Cross Commission

To amend regulation 5.5 to extend the full racing licence requirement for National Championship and National Trophy events to all categories.  After some debate concerning the use of ranking points to determine gridding, and the reasoning for restricting ranking points to full licence holders, this proposal was WITHDRAWN.

 

3.  From Welsh Cycling      

To delete Reg 7.3.6, thus allowing seniors, veterans, juniors and women to ride together if fields were small. Proposed by Liz Slater, seconded by Graham Edwards and CARRIED unanimously.

 

4.  From Welsh Cycling      

Reg. 14.1. To stipulate a minimum prize value. Proposed by Liz Slater, seconded by Gordon Siers, but LOST with only three votes recorded in favour.

 

5.  From West Midlands

To stage the Inter Area Team Championships earlier in the season. This proposal was WITHDRAWN, as its intention had already   been implemented by the decision of the Commission and endorsed by the meeting earlier in the Conference.

 

6. From West Midlands     

To employ gridded starts for all cyclo-cross events.  Proposed by Pete Mooney, seconded by Gordon Siers.  This proposal generated much debate, and some opposition from those regions that continued to operate traditional “single row” starts.  The cyclo-cross co-ordinator pointed out that the proposal was framed in such a way that it did not actually define how gridding would be achieved, how many rows, or how riders would be selected.  At the present time, the starting arrangements were governed purely by safety, under regulation 9.4 which states: “The starting section shall be devised so that riders may safely progress onto the main circuit”, and the proposal did not specifically seek to change this wording.  An adoption of the proposal would therefore require the Commission to produce guidelines on how gridding should be achieved.  The matter was put to the vote and CARRIED by 12 votes to 6.

 

7.  From Wessex   

To amend the qualification criteria for the British Club Championship by increasing the number of qualifying categories from three to four.  Proposed by Geoff Shergold, seconded by Kerie Wallace.  As background it was pointed out that in the two years in which the competition had been in operation it had been won by racing teams rather than traditional clubs.  In 2007 Abergavenny RC finished in third place, behind SIS-Trek and Evans Cycles RT. Brian Furness indicated that the proposal may not have the desired effect, as it may eliminate as many traditional clubs from qualification as it would racing teams.  However the Commission recognised and supported the intention of the proposal, and would look at ways of implementing this. On a vote, the proposal was CARRIED with only one vote against.

 

8. From Wessex   

To ensure that an e-mail address is incorporated into cyclo-cross entry forms.  This was agreed without the need for a vote.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 4:35 pm.