What roles have you got this year?
This year I’m on the Judging Panel for Women’s TDU, but decided not to do the Men’s - instead I’m doing the Men’s Classic as a Judge, Adelaide Track League (Chief Comm) and the Women’s Classic (Chief Judge).
Late edit!: Due to another Commissaire catching the spicy cough, Susan subbed in for the Men's tour as Judge for four days!
How did you get into those roles?
I got into Commissairing in Scotland over 10 years ago - starting with track, then road and thanks to the support of the Club (& a little encouragement from Gemma) I am also a CX/MTB Comm. I was part of the first women’s TDU in 2016, when I was learning the ropes in the Comm car, and have been a Judge or Chief Judge most years since, except one of the Festival COVID years when I was a Comm in the car.
What does your day look like?
Typical day this year on the Women’s tour - as Tracy said we know our roles for each day in advance so Stage 2 for the Women’s was my most varied. I was parked by about 8 to get ice/lunch/drinks in the car. Then meeting in at the Hilton with the whole Comm team. The Chief went through stage 1 and any concerns for stage 2 - great to listen & learn from the UCI Comms!). Back over to the cars to be part of the convoy - but instead of going to the start, I was straight to Belair for the first Queen of the Mountain. We recorded the first 5 over the line visually then confirm on a video if needed. Back down the hill to Willunga for the second sprint - 3 places this time, then up to the hill - I was on the finish line getting as many places as we could, but at least top 10, and my car buddy was at the QOM. Back to the city to drop them off, quick visit to Car Wash, then back to the City for the Classic.
It’s great having such a variety of Cycling in Adelaide at this time of year! Commissairing means you’re part of big events and get to be right on the finish line (sometimes!)! The race also can’t happen without officials and the support team - Motos and Police as well as the Organisation and even the teams that set up and pack up all the sprint and QOM points.