Do you want to see the world for free? Do you want to meet the best professional cyclists on the World Tour? Do you want to be in the middle of the action of a World Cup, a Grand Tour or World Championship event? Then, become a Commissaire!
Vancouver resident Wayne Pomario started as a local Commissaire (Timekeeper) in South Africa 26 years ago and he is now one of the world’s top ranked International Commissaires. In 2015 alone, Wayne traveled the globe to officiate at the Tour Down Under, Giro d’Italia, Tour de l’Avenir, Tour of Britain, Pan Am Games, Road World Championships and Track World Championships. (Yep! He accumulated many many Air Miles this year!)
Watch Wayne in action as he presides over the Junior Women’s race during the 2015 World Road Championships:
But how did he get there?
After discovering the sport of road racing, Wayne got involved as a race organizer and administrator. A gifted cyclist, he competed at the international level and went on to win the Elite National Individual Time Trial Championships. At the same time, he started to officiate local races and move up the ladder swiftly to become an internationally certified Road, Track and Cyclo-cross Commissaire. His hard work, dedication to the sport and the quality of his work didn’t go unnoticed as the Union Cycliste Internationale called upon him to become their lead instructor for road officials — he is responsible for creating the course that is now taught worldwide.
In addition to Wayne, Cycling BC is also privileged to count amongst its members an International Mountain Bike and Cyclo-cross Commissaire, Jim Bratrud (Comox), and an International BMX and Mountain Bike Commissaire, Jason Howard (Qualicum Beach). Both work world cups and international events each year (and yes, they too rack up air miles). The three of them, with their depth of knowledge and expertise, represent invaluable assets for Cycling BC and the Commissaire community.
Although benefiting from their international experience, Cycling BC also relies on national and provincial certified individuals to ensure races in the province are conducted according to the rules, in a safe and fair manner. Commissaires are an integral part of the sport and an essential contributor to the education and development of savvy racers.
How can I become involved?
Are you interested in traveling the world? Want to make a difference? Have a passion for road, track, mountain bike, cyclo-cross or BMX? Is contributing to the development of young cyclists or ensuring great racing opportunities are available throughout BC something that appeals to you? Do YOU want to be involved and up close? If you answer yes, then being a Commissaire should be right up your alley.
Click here for more details about becoming a Commissaire.