8 Aug 20
Dear ACU Members,
RETURN TO CYCLING
You will all appreciate that we have been restricted in our cycling activities over the last few months however the Committee has been extremely busy ensuring that our membership can remain active, particularly on Zwift and Strava, which is producing some excellent results and competition. Time-Trial racing was authorised by Army HQ via the Army Sports Control Board (ASCB) on 17 July and the Committee are examining all the available options to return to all Cycling disciplines within British Cycling (BC) guidance and the Army Force Health Protection (FHP) measures.
Competitive Cycling & Training.
The ACU committee will shortly be requesting the lifting of the suspension for MTB Downhill, MTB Enduro, BMX and CX. For all representative sport, this decision lies with Army HQ via the ASCB. Please note that Cycling at Unit level and below remains a Unit CoC and individual responsibility.
At present the Army Cycling MTB XC Series remains a ‘Strava club’ activity only however, subject to ASCB authority, the committee do plan to deliver at least one AC MTBXCS race in the Autumn in line with BC event guidance.
Whilst the Army Cycling Road Race Series continues virtually on Zwift, the committee are looking at the options to hold a race on a closed circuit (likely to be in the TT discipline); the ACU committee will reconvene in September and a further update will follow.
Unfortunately, we are unlikely to return to ‘mass-start’ racing for the foreseeable future due to the associated risks of riding in a peloton. BC have already announced that there will be no National level racing this season. The Single Services have confirmed that there will be no Inter Service level racing in any discipline until the 2021 season (less virtual).
Corps and Unit Team Training. Corps representatives and Unit OiCs are to note the following:
- The ASCB will only authorise a return to representative ‘training’ once that particular discipline has been authorised to recommence by Army HQ (e.g. Corps team ‘training’ for Time-Trial can now be planned and authority requested via the ASCB).
- COs can authorise unit level training for all disciplines.
- COs must only authorise fixtures for those disciplines that have been authorised to recommence by Army HQ.
And for those ACU members who intend to race at local club events, please ensure that you follow the strict Covid-19 protocols that are displayed on the club websites and in Race Event Instructions.
Finally, the threat of COVID-19 and the risk of infection remains. If you are not well or showing signs of COVID-19 then please do not attend any local club or team event.
ACU Executive Committee