The latest drafting rules there are now two draft distances depending on type of event...
19 Pacing/Drafting
19.1 Competitors are not allowed to draft, ie, take shelter behind or beside another competitor or motor vehicle during the cycling segment of races.
19.2 Bicycle Draft Zone
a) For all Age Group Events (except Long Distance)
The draft zone is a rectangle measuring five (5) metres long by two (2) metres wide. The centre of the leading 2 metre edge is measured from the back edge of the back wheel. A competitor may enter the draft zone of another competitor but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 15 seconds is allowed to progress though the draft zone of another competitor. If an overtaking manoeuvre is not completed within 15 seconds the overtaking cyclist must drop back.
b) For all Competitors in Long Distance Competitions (Elite and Age Group)
The draft zone is a rectangle measuring ten (10) metres long by three (3) metres wide. The centre of the leading 3 metre edge is measured from the back edge of the back wheel. A competitor may enter the draft zone of another competitor but must be seen to be progressing through that zone. A maximum of 30 seconds is allowed to progress through the draft zone of another competitor. If an overtaking manoeuvre is not completed within 30 seconds the overtaking cyclist must drop back.
19.3 The draft zone of one competitor may not overlap the draft zone of another competitor.
19.4 Competitors may enter the draft zone of another competitor for the purpose of overtaking as detailed above or in the following circumstances :
a) For safety reasons
b) At an aid station
c) At the exit or entrance of a transition area
d) At an acute turn
e) If race officials exclude a section of the course because of narrow lanes, construction, detours or for other safety reasons
19.5 When a competitor is passed by other competitors, it is his/her responsibility to move out of the draft zone of the overtaking competitor. Failure to do so may result in an official caution. A competitor is passed when another competitor's front wheel is ahead of his/hers.
19.6 Side-by-side riding, while still observing the draft zone, is only allowed on courses that are fully closed to other traffic. On open, or semi-open, courses only single-file riding is allowed.
19.7 Vehicle Draft Zone: Competitors are not allowed to gain unfair advantage by drafting on officials' escort vehicles, TV and radio vehicles, etc. The vehicle draft zone is a rectangle thirty-five (35) metres long by five (5) metres wide which surrounds every vehicle on the cycle segment. The front edge of the vehicle defines the centre of the leading 5 metre edge of the rectangle. The driver of the vehicle, who must be appropriately briefed by the organiser, is responsible for upholding the zone.
19.8 In events where there are draft-legal waves the BTA will follow the current ITU ruling on drafting. This may require equipment such as aero bars to be changed (visit www.triathlon.org to view current ITU rules).
