The following (below) rule change was proposed by Kirk Roggenkamp - TMD Director 2016. The proposal did not gain traction and so was not officially adopted into the rule structure for 2017. I agree with Kirk and think there is merit in his proposal - the question that affects TMD participants is should the required number of completed stages move from the current 10 to 11? The logic behind changing the requirement is that the prologue would count as a stage (proposed), and an easy stage at that, so the requirement should change as well. Maintain balance.

Keep in mind other, behind the scenes things such as the award jerseys are not free (they don't grow on trees). If the challenge is easier, as in... count the prologue as a stage and 'if' five more participants complete the challenge because an 'easy' stage was added, well great. But now there are more finishers jerseys to add to the already growing list of finishers and the balance of finishers changes, which effects the balance of the jersey budget get out of balance. (It's all fun and games until you are TMD Director and you have to consider such scenarios. I just want to ride my bike). I will propose this rule change at the next upcoming General Membership Meeting. - Thomas N.

Participation in the Prologue has really lagged in recent years (just a fraction of the 35-40 riders who turn out for the uphill TT in Sept) Everyone always asks the same question, "Does it count as a stage?".  Under the current rules, it does not.  I propose that for 2017, the TMD Prologue (probably will be held in early Nov 2016) count as a stage.  In addition, I ALSO propose that the number of stages needed to qualify be bumped from 10 to 11 for 2017 and beyond. This will not change the number of centuries a rider has to complete (9) IF they participate in the both the Prologue and Uphill time trials.