The “World’s Greatest College Weekend” is almost underway at Indiana University.
Thirty-three of the fastest men’s and women’s cycling teams at IU will compete in the Little 500. The men’s race consists of 200 laps (50 miles) and the women’s race 100 laps (25 miles).
Only the quickest men’s and women’s teams can claim the title as Little 500 champions, hoist the Borg-Warner trophy and have their names cemented into history.
Rules to know
Pits: Each team chooses a pit along the track's circumference. This is determined by each team's qualification position. Each pit is 16 feet long, and no teams can exchange in that area. Only six people are allowed in the pit during the race.
Exchanges: Each team must complete exchanges throughout the race. An exchange counts when teams switch riders with one or two bikes.
During the exchange, the outgoing rider is not allowed to touch the incoming bike until it has reached the front line of each team's designated pit area. Each exchange also must be completed within an area of 32 feet.
The women are required to complete a minimum of five exchanges while the men must complete at least 10 exchanges.
Line-up: The lineup is how riders are lined up for the pace lap.
Penalties: If a team is in violation of the rules, they’ll be penalized for at least two seconds. The team's time must be spent in the penalty box, which is near the start line.
Teams must serve the penalty within 10 laps of it being announced.
Safety zone: The safety zone is in the infield, 10 feet from the inside line of the track. This area between the line and the track may only have authorized people in it.
Entering the infield: Entering the infield is known as the cement gutter around the inside of the track. Riders are not to ride on it unless a team is forced onto the gutter and into the infield.
Any attempt of a team trying to improve its position by riding through the infield will be assessed a penalty.
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Officials
IUSF Little 500 race director: Emily Carrico, who oversees all cycling activities.
Chief Steward: They decide all questions relating to the conduct of the race. They have the power to disqualify any rider or team from further competition in the race for unsportsmanlike conduct. They also have the power to assess penalties throughout the race as needed. The chief stewards’ decisions are final.
Judges: There are 17 judges stationed throughout the track. The judges’ job is to report irregularities to the Chief Steward.
Chief Observers: There are three chief observers stationed in observation towers. The observers’ main duty is to aid the Chief Steward with enforcing rules.
Starter: They are responsible for giving out flag signals to riders.
Safety Officials: They are responsible for making sure every rider is safe during the race.
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Terms to know
Bike: The Indiana University Student Foundation gives each team two bikes for the race. Teams that fail to comply with the rules or make illegal changes to the bikes will receive a penalty. Teams may only be issued a third bike if both bikes are damaged beyond repair.
Flags: The race is controlled using official flags that have different meanings based on the color:
- Green: Starting signal
- Black: Ride on outside of track
- Red: Stop, the race is halted
- Yellow: Ride with caution and maintain position
- Blue with orange stripe: Bicycle attempting to pass
- White: You are starting your last lap
- Checkered black and white: You have completed the race
Teams that fail to observe flags will receive penalties.
Pole: The team that begins the race in first place.
Borg-Warner Trophy: The name of the trophy presented to the winners of the Little 500. It is a replica of the Indianapolis 500 trophy.
Drafting: When a rider conserves energy by riding behind another rider, which benefits the rider from reduced wind resistance.
Green Jersey: The team that qualifies at the pole gets to wear the green jersey. Teter will suit up in the green jersey in the women’s while Sigma Phi Epsilon will do so in the men’s.
Yellow Jersey: Last year's winning team for both the men’s and women’s teams get to wear the yellow jersey. Melanzana will wear the yellow jersey during the women’s race while CUTTERS will do so in the men’s race.
White Jersey: Teams that win the spring series get to wear the white jersey. Kappa Alpha Theta will wear the white jersey in the women’s race while Phi Epsilon in the men’s.
