If anyone actually read my blog, I'd propose a poll. Since no one does read it, I'll just blog into cyberspace...
Which is cooler/more prestigious/the best measure of WSBA riders, the BARR (State Championship series) or the season-long rider rankings points?
After many years of the BARR and fewer years of the rider rankings actually being diligently tallied (thanks Martha & Co.!) I believe the season-long points to be the best measure for a number of reasons.
Numerous thoughts on the two rankings:
1. Every race you score a top-10 in is scored. Thus it is more comprehensive than the BARR.
2. Since every WA race is included, someone that is scoring all season and is thus able to carry their form well is rewarded more.
3. The BARR is Time Trial-heavy with a TTT, a 40K TT, and the Hillclimb TT. Throw in the ITT in the omnium and you've got 4 TT's that go toward the BARR, compared to the RR, the new and poorly attended CR, the good ole Crit, and the RR and Crit in the Omnium. That's a 4 to 5 ratio to determine the Best All-around Road Racer. Keep in mind that the USCF does not award upgrade points for time trials.
4. A nice feature of the season-long points is that it also includes any BARR results one gets, making all BARR events of equal value to any other events during the year.
5. The season-long points scoring is now improved (imho) so that all races have a flat point value without any subjective criteria.
My points will probably become more redundant if I go on, so I'll stop now.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
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6 comments:
There are certainly some bugs in the system but Martin does a great job considering the volume.
It's been discussed on Coach Curly to enforce that all riders have numbers, but there's always logistical headaches there. I'm all for it though - would be cool to get an assigned number.
Sorry - Stoked reminded me that although Martin hosts the pages, most of the work is Scott from OBRA (and probably Martha, but she's far to humble to say so).
hey, you're #1 in my book.
I don't think I mentioned anything relating to bugs in the system. My overall point is that I think the Rider Rankings rankings are a more accurate picture of individual riders' caliber/quality. Not just because I am fortunate to be #2 at this time, but because it takes into account the entire season, not just the select BARR events.
All of those volunteering their time are appreciated and do a great job.
The rider ranking system is cearly a lot better for assesing the overall rider, but I'm not sure about all races having the same points.
I also agree that there could be some delination of point values but that 1) leads to subjectivity and 2) a probable headache for the compilers.
A great example of the race ranking problem in my mind could be seen in the ranking difference between say Seward Park (a race about anyone can at least finish) and the Rainier Roubaix (a race few people had the courage to even enter.) Since the fields were smaller and the race newer at RR it was a .5 while Seward was a 1.5 or something.
So, to avoid injustices like that I'm personally fine with TST and the Carnation TT being on equal footing if it means that in the end it will all even out.
Thanks for commenting Michael
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