A commissaire is an official in competitive cycling, usually seen with a copy of the racing rules, a stopwatch and a clipboard. Commissaires are similar to judges or referees in other sports — a commissaire is the person in charge of the race and the Chief Commissaire has the power to shut down the event if protocols are breached.
Their main aim is to ensure the racing is both fair and safe. The Commissaire is independent and impartial. They ensure safety of the track and check for appropriate safety gear. Fairness is ensured by checking equipment and policing any disputes.
Commissaires require an officiating license, issued at different levels, before they can officiate at an event.