Kate Courtney Receives Fine for Rule Breach at the Mont-Sainte-Anne XC World Cup

Aug 11, 2022
by Ed Spratt  
Kate Courtney finding her groove slotting into eighth.

Following the thrilling racing at Mont-Sainte-Anne last weekend, the UCI has issued a fine to Kate Courtney for having a wheel ahead of the start line.

The news follows the previous round in Snowshoe where the UCI found 11 riders to have been ahead of the start line across the XCC and XC races. In this instance, the large group of riders that included Courtney were given warnings. It now appears that Kate Courtney has been caught out again, with the UCI issuing her with a fine.

Kate was not the only rider to have been found ahead of the start line in Canada, as Oleksandr Hudyma was given a warning for the same rule breach in the U23 Men's race. Oleksandr was not in the group of 11 riders warned after Snowshoe.

photo

When we looked into the rules after Snowshoe, we were unsure what the escalation would be for the 11 riders caught at the previous round and whether another offence for the same breach would carry a fine. With Kate being punished with a fine in Mont-Sainte-Anne, this has now become clearer. We believe from looking at the rules that a wheel ahead of the start line would fall under a "rider failing to respect the rules for the start" which carries a 100CHF fine.

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Racing and Events XC Racing Kate Courtney Mont Sainte Anne Xc World Cup 2022 World Cup XC


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136 Comments
  • 149 0
 "hey mate, your wheel is over the start line"... rider backs up 4 inches. Problem solved.
  • 50 9
 With a 100CHF fine I wouldn't back up, given the potential gains at the start of a WC race. The UCI need to grow some balls and give grid penalties or something more meaningful.
  • 37 9
 @HankHank: the uci lost their balls long ago. Take us back to the good old days where a tour rider could rock a cycling cap with no helmet, snort a line off their bars at the starting gate and smoke a cigarette while climbing alpe d'huez.
  • 29 5
 @HankHank: tbh I don't think the potential gains are that great. Kate ended up in like 9th place in the first turn, and there's still 90 minutes of racing after that.

I really don't get why the guy holding the start tape isn't telling people "we don't start til everyone is behind the line", or just handing out fines / grid penalties on live TV for the mics and cameras to catch. Gotta imagine that would fix it real quick.
  • 24 4
 @bkm303: or.. hear me out... what if they hand out high fives and beers to racers at random spots of the course while on live TV and then get hit with a penalty if they decline? eh eh?
  • 13 3
 @scallywagg: 50 points in the overall if you shotgun a beer in the tech feed zone. If you do it every lap that's like a podium finish!

Real talk, I raced XC at one of the Windham world cups and lost my balance and fell on a climb while going for a fan's fist bump. Embarrassing. But also, good vibes!
  • 5 0
 @bkm303: this race exists already. There is a staff race in Nove Mesto which is pretty much just drinking and riding.
  • 3 0
 @prevail: I think that sums up Nova Mesto, I once raced there and at the post race party there were people running around the finish arena in nothing but cowboy hats.
  • 86 0
 Sounds like they need a BMX drop gate.
  • 63 2
 Saloon doors. Not sure if it would be fair for those that don't have a BMX background.
  • 18 1
 Nope. All they really need is a BMX background.
  • 1 0
 or horse gate like jockeys
  • 55 6
 I watched the race live and was yelling at the TV for Kate to scoot back. She was clearly over the line and to be honest, I'm surprised they didn't DQ her after warning her the previous race. It's not really that hard. Everyone else on the front row was fine and she was a 1/2 a wheel ahead, Guessing the next time will be a DQ.... and I'm a Kate fan for what it's worth.
  • 43 5
 Racing at this level it should be a DQ after a warning.
  • 12 0
 Yup, I kinda breezed through the race and I still clearly remember Kate being waaaaay over the line.

Also the fine is kind of a joke. 100 francs = warning, essentially.
  • 3 2
 Lmao that sounds ridiculous.
  • 14 3
 I might be in a minority, but I think it should be a DQ without any specific warning. All the UCI has to do is when they remove the tape say that if you cross the line it will an instant DQ. It's supposed to be a professional sport, but it doesn't appear the riders or UCI think so.
  • 7 0
 @Mike-Jay: exactly, it's pro sports. Nobody is getting away with being offside in any other sport and that's pretty much what the start line is. It's a line that makes sure everybody has the same advantage when entering the zone. And in this case the zone is actively racing. Or have a penalty, the only people who can be over the line is front row. Send em to the back.
  • 3 0
 Hahaha happened to me as well, she knew about it and still didn’t care. Thought as well she would get a harsher penalty.
  • 4 2
 I've been watching a few replays from prior seasons and it seems like some riders are often a bit across the line and they just started cracking down. So id be shocked if they DQd her when you can easily look at footage from earlier races and see various riders doing this.
  • 3 1
 @Mike-Jay: what if your main rival was positioned right behind you and gave you a subtle 'helping nudge' over the line just before the lights go green
  • 1 0
 @Shatner: you’d assume someone would see it and DQ the rival, but I hear you, this is the UCI.
  • 1 0
 @Shatner: Hey, there's no proof Schurter's done anything of the sort...

...yet.
  • 29 1
 At least this this rule is logical and related to the race, unlike the podium clothing rules mentioned last week.
  • 9 4
 The podium clothing seems stupid but it's basically a dress code at work. Cyclists wear cycling clothing, bankers and gov employees wear a shirt and tie type deal. If you let Neff wear an arxtetyx jacket the next thing you know Nino is up there in just his underwear.
  • 18 0
 @warmerdamj: That seems like the opposite of a problem
  • 1 1
 @warmerdamj: ah the ol slippery slope argument. oldie but a goodie
  • 12 0
 Was that Snowshoe where she lined up on the outside and had her entire wheel over the line and ahead of all the others? I was wondering what the …k she was doing.
  • 4 15
flag nvranka (Aug 11, 2022 at 14:38) (Below Threshold)
 Sounds like a class act
  • 9 1
 How much is the UCI going to fine that idiot @SimonBurney for assaulting female riders at the starting line a few seasons ago?
  • 9 0
 I don't know about this. Sounds like a job for google.
  • 7 0
 I tried the google machine and couldn’t find anything. Link?
  • 9 4
 Lena Gerault was right beside Courtney and positioned over the line as well... either enforce this for everyone at the start line before the race begins or just ignore it, 6 inches of a lead isn't determining placing after 90 minutes of racing.
  • 2 0
 It is surprising that Gerault was not given a warning since she was equally as over the line, but UCI was never one for consistent enforcement.
  • 4 0
 The second time was clearly deliberate. She finally got back to a good starting position, back on the front row, and to me it seems like her team decided it was worth a small fine to have that advantage. I imagine a wheel-length could make the difference when you are trying for the hole shot, all things being equal. Still, it ain't pretty and it's not good for popularity... I'm a fan but this... not so much
  • 3 1
 Seems probable that sneaking a wheel length is a team idea. In Frischi's days of racing, sometimes there was no start line on the ground at all (races sometimes started from a different spot than the finish timing loop, usually a big grassy start loop to thin the bunch), so it was a lot easier to get away with it.
  • 8 1
 She again was way ahead of the line.. Not hate'n on you kate but dude you have to be more aware of where you are.
  • 4 0
 Oh I think she precisely knew where she was, unfortunately. But as some mentioned, the sanction is way to weak to really make the riders think twice...
  • 8 1
 Suggestion for Kates manager. Play Juvenile's "Back dat azz up" before the race to jog her memory.
  • 4 0
 She can't say she wasn't warned.
Simon Burney (UCI Off Road Consultant) walked right past her and Lena Gerault (#12) while rolling up the tape just prior to the start. Nary a word. He just marched right on by. Both of them were really asking for it.

Start watching the replay on Red Bull TV at 19:25.
www.redbull.com/us-en/live/uci-mountain-bike-world-cup-2022-mont-sainte-anne-xco-women
  • 8 2
 Dude basically had to walk around them lol. I get that it's not necessarily his job to make sure ppl don't get fines, but how hard is it to say "hey, we're not starting til everyone is behind the line". Get it on TV where everyone can hear. Soccer refs do it every time there's a free kick.
  • 5 0
 @bkm303: Simon would have to radio to the timing crew actually doing the start lights and computer timing to stop the countdown. Would probably cause chaos.

----

Screenshot for those too lazy to scroll through video: www.iili.io/UZWZUg.png
  • 1 0
 @Jamminator: Thanks for the screenshot.
This has to have been done intentionally, especially if warned last round. Is this really worth it though? Does it give enough benefit in the race? Or the 100CHF maybe is so little so it is worth the slight head start, but you also get considered a bit of a cheater which maybe is less desired? I don't really get this. Would be interesting to hear comment from Kate. Maybe there is just a lot in your mind at the start gate?
  • 1 0
 "Off Road Consultant"?
  • 1 0
 @mi-bike: That's the Title he uses on his LinkedIn page.
  • 1 0
 @Augustus-G: Simon Burney. Consultant - Cycling - Off-Road.
Experience: UCI - Mountain Bike Sport Coordinator, 2015-2019. Manager Off-Road, 2019-2021. Consultant, 2021-present.
  • 5 1
 UCI is looking to add some additional revenue ahead of Redbulls removal? I wonder if crankworks will now include additional stops, dh, and xc events..... With Warners sweet sweet voice to bring it all together!!!
Competition for UCI????
  • 1 0
 Google „DH1 race series“. There‘s your answer.
  • 6 1
 Seems like a great way to literally throw your competitors "over the line" - bumping back wheels or friendly nudges that push them over the line.
  • 6 0
 According to a quick Google currency conversion query, that's stiff $106 USD fine for that utterly defiant rule breach!
  • 6 0
 I don't care about cheating for competitive advantage, I just want to know if anyone wore a fleece on the podium.
  • 7 0
 Entering a world of pain
  • 7 1
 You ever heard of Vietnam?
  • 9 0
 It's big Lebowski reference you neg propping ingrates
  • 5 0
 @bkm303: Obviously you're not a golfer.
  • 4 0
 @bkm303: am I the only one here who gives a shit about the rules?!
  • 3 0
 Mark it 8 dude... Results actually show her in 8th place
  • 2 0
 @idecic is a good man ... and thorough.
  • 3 0
 I’m a Kate fan but this makes her look bad in my opinion. This was the second race in a row where she was clearly over the line and I think this would be hard for her not to realize. Come on Kate!
  • 2 0
 @Willikers...."To censor somebody who has a different opinion from you..."

Plenty of folks seem to not understand this, including you. No one censored you. Lack of civil discourse leading to people telling you to shut up isn't censorship...it's just their opinion countering yours and being sick of yours. Likewise for you. None of your comments were removed and you weren't banned.

As far as this cheating talk, there's already, just in one screenshot, evidence of a boatload of people who sneak the start. If this didn't happen at every race involving wheels I'd say someone wasn't trying to find the limit. Some of these riders found it. If it was really so bad they could go Olympic track style and if you're over the line at the start, it's a re-do, and if you're over again you're done. Puts all the pressure on the front of the grid but you pay to play. Otherwise, UCI could just employ The Stig to ride around with the racers and kick them off their bikes at the most inopportune time if and when a penalty is required. We've seen that work, sort of...
  • 6 2
 I find 100 CHF a bit of a joke... In general i mean, not just for Kate, big fan of her
  • 6 1
 No fine for the Ukrainian rider?
  • 1 0
 Anything with Ukraine gets a pass..... Surprised she doesn't get billions of dollars for it.....
  • 2 1
 A warning/fine for the first offence, then a stop/go 20 sec penalty at the end of the first lap for the 2nd offence, and finally if it happens a 3rd time, it's a DSQ. And that's being generous. A lot of sports would DSQ straight away.
  • 1 0
 How about:
Ridiculously costumed line monitors will dance in front of the line to organ grinder music, wielding both batons and clubs. Waving the batons in the rider's faces, they bat the front tires of the riders that are over the line until they back up. The race will not start until everyone is in place. This tradition will be much more fun, and somehow less ridiculous than the fine.
  • 1 0
 *This silly comment isn't meant as an insult to anyone, or the UCI. It just seems like a creative way to address the issue. If no one wants it, then the BMX gate, as others have mentioned.
  • 9 5
 How is having a number plate upside down not against the rules?
  • 19 0
 That's not rules, that's tradition!
  • 6 0
 Because then it’s number 31 and not unlucky number 13, if one happens to be superstitious.
  • 3 0
 Because no one actually cares about the number on the front. Everyone has a chip, so the number has little to no purpose really other than seeing what place in the overall they are.
  • 5 2
 if youre gonna cheat, at least learn how to do a trackstand while youre doing it lol
  • 4 0
 Gotta have one foot on the ground under UCI rules. I didn't know this until I was on the back row alone and thought I'd just trackstand but the commisaire pulled me up on it before the race started (just like they should have done with any rider over the line).
  • 1 1
 @lukeb: What was popular cheat when I raced were the guys on the outside against the barriers clipping in both feet and leaning against the barrier. If they were in the middle of a huge pack, the official is never going to see them; the official really can only see the first couple rows.
  • 1 1
 Something to consider...when first row riders roll up to the start line they have a tendency to ride right up to the tape, which is always ahead of the line on the ground. It's up the rider to acknowledge the line on the ground, not the tape. By the time the rows behind fill-in, it may be too late and they may not be able to backup any because everyone sticks a wheel in any open gap on the start. I can understand a rider being so focused they overlook it - especially a first time front row starter - but once you've been warned, it should become part of the routine and penalties are fair game
  • 1 0
 In many forms of racing, a wheel (or vehicle or what ever) equates to disqualification. In many lap races, this can also lead to being pushed to the back of the pack.
  • 2 3
 Why don't UCI give Kate another fine for having her race number upside down while they are at it.......Give her the most significant comeback fine for working hard and getting stronger and fitter.
  • 1 0
 womens cycling isnt all that
  • 2 0
 Who...I mean /seriously/...who could have seen this coming?
  • 6 0
 Louis: “I'm shocked, shocked, to find that gambling is going on in here."
  • 7 7
 Revenue generator. And Kate/Scott get some more visibility. As they say in Chicago politics. There's no such thing as bad publicity.
  • 13 1
 They pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Chicago way!
  • 3 1
 @djyosh: You got nothing! NOTHING!
  • 3 1
 Straight criminal thugged out G xc racer
  • 3 1
 Am I the only one who gives a **** about the rules?
  • 1 0
 Automatic DQ if over the line when the race starts? Or a penalty like football for false start and move them back
  • 3 2
 Look she ain't about to win it so don't it matter? Besides with 2 start laps it's not a big deal
  • 1 2
 Wasn’t her fault. I heard she was testing 30” wheels pushed by the industry to try and revolutionise the mtb xc world. She thought she was still on 650b and didn’t realise her front wheel was bigger and over the line.
  • 1 0
 For Mooning the White House again.?????
  • 1 0
 Just have a BMX style start with a dropping gate. Problem solved.
  • 1 0
 As long as the gate actually had a BMX background this could work!
  • 1 0
 @HardtailHerold: Nah, the gate just needs to have BMX'd as a kid for several years. But that is the same as a BMX background.
  • 1 0
 Over the line!! Mark it zero!
  • 1 0
 Lets turn the into solo time trials.
  • 1 1
 Damn... this is a cycling website and commenters are asking if an upside-down No.13 race number is punishable offence Wink
  • 2 3
 What’s the bid deal?? Didn’t the UCI just announce allowing transgender men to compete against these biological females?
  • 1 0
 trans men would be racing against men
  • 2 2
 43 comments and not one Lebowski quote
  • 2 0
 Except for the two immediately above you.
  • 1 2
 Main picture shows a number plate upside down.
I wonder if that is breaking the rules too?
  • 1 0
 ..
  • 1 0
 late courtney lmao
  • 4 4
 Leave Kate alone!
  • 2 0
 Since Brittany isn't around they gotta pick on someone lol
  • 1 0
 @Thirty3: Hilarious 33! You are a true master of witt and whimsey.
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