Definition

Group Rank consolidates all riders receiving the same time at the finish line into one rank. Group Rank is about giving a  rider a fair rank based on the circumstances of a race and generally accepted peloton psychology.

Usage

General Classification

In a stage race, riders going for the General Classification are focused on the stage time, not which position they are in when they cross the finish line. Since everyone in the group receives the same time, for GC riders finishing 50th from a group of 50 is as good as finishing 4th. Riding for GC is about conserving one’s energy until it’s needed. Therefore, GC riders will not put added effort into finishing 10th or 20th in a stage when everyone in the 50-perosn group will receive the same time.

Podium

Finishing “on the podium” (crossing the finish line 1st, 2nd, or 3rd) carries not just a line on one’s palmares, but points and time bonuses. Therefore, Group Rank 1, 2, and 3 is always the individual rank. Even in a bunch sprint with 50 riders in the group, the prestige and bonuses on offer makes a top 3 finish something a rider would apply added effort for.

3km Rule

The 3km Rule is a UCI regulation covering incidents (ex: a crash or mechanical issue) that occur within 3 kilometers of the finish line in a stage race. Should an incident occur, the rider is given the same finishing time as the group they were in when they crossed the 3km line. The rider is therefore also granted the same Group Rank as the

Formula

• For individual road races

○ The first three riders across the finish line receive a Group Rank of 1, 2, and 3 respectively. This is to account for the incentive to finish in the top three. In a one-day race, the first three riders win a podium position. In a stage race, the first three riders receive a time bonus.

○ The fourth rider across the finish line receives Group Rank 4. Other riders who cross the finish line with rider 4 and receive the same time as rider 4, also receive a Group Rank 4.

○ The next rider who does not finish with the same time as rider 4, receives the Group Rank equal to their individual rank. As in, Group Rank equals their official individual rank. All riders finishing with this rider receive this same Group Rank.

○ Group Rank is calculated by grouping all riders who complete a race and assigning the individual rank of the first rider in that group to cross the finish line.

○ Riders who do not finish, or finish outside the time limit, do not receive a Group Rank.

• For team time trials

○ All riders on a team who complete the time trail within the time limit receive the same Group Rank.

• Group Rank does not apply for individual time trials