Recall the UCI rules concerning pits and class 1 races? A double pit is called for, however with prior permission from the UCI Cyclocross Commission, two single pits may be used if a double is not possible. As the grassy/dirt sections of this course were on opposite ends, a double pit was not possible.

At both ends of the pits, the stakes had tied to them a pole with a yellow flag at top. The flags stood about six feet off the ground and were very visible from afar.

Both of the pits were placed immediately after turns. Thus, during the course inspection, the President of the race jury requested for the entrance of both pits to be enlarged by 2-2.5 meters to allow riders a safer entry into the pits.

Geoff Procter explained to me the history of the second pit. In prior years, it was on the opposite side of the lower athletic field and forced a left side bike exchange. As a result, the mechanics would drift out to facilitate a right hand exchange and then get herded back by the commissaries. Last year, mayhem and boxing nearly broke out in this pit as Sven Nys would throw his bike into the middle of the lane forcing everyone behind to jump over his bike. Likely, this made the UCI race report and the organization changed the pit location to facilitate a right hand exchange.

The pits were noticeably larger than the ones in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic – both in length and in width. The "boxes", as indicated in the UCI regulations, are formed by use of a length of steel barricade, on which the mechanics can lean their bikes and also hang wheels. And there were twelve such boxes, which were each about eight to ten feet in width. Behind the "boxes" was another area with barricades where the high-pressure washer units were stationed. There were six washers in the lower pit and two to three in the upper pit. The washers were manned by organization staff, like a full service car wash.

Spectators could watch the pits up close, but a course marshall was on hand to ensure they kept behind the tape and rope. Also two commissaries were stationed in each pit.