La Rioja Bike Race 2016

1. Introduction

1.1. It is a mountain bike stage race (XCS), split into three (3) marathon stages (XCM).

1.2. It is an individual (solo) competition.

1.3. The competition takes place from Friday 13th of May to Sunday 15th of May 2016.

1.4. The competition is held in Logroño, La Rioja (Spain).

1.5. The competition follows the UCI (International Cycling Union) technical and sport regulations for UCI Elite women and men categories.

1.6. It is ranked as a UCI XCS 2 class event.

2. Registration

2.1. Any person who wishes to take part in this competition must register through the official website: www.lariojabikerace.com. For the registration to be valid, it is compulsory to fill-in all the required details that are requested on the form and to pay the registration rights.

2.2. The registration period ends on the 25th of April 2016.

2.3. The participants must hold a competition cycling license, issued by a national cycling federation and approved by the UCI.

2.4. Regional and touring licenses are not accepted. Neither are licenses from other sports.

2.5. Those who do not have an annual competition cycling license, can issue a temporary racing license valid only for the competition, approved by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).

2.6. It entails an extra cost and allows this person to compete in the corresponding category with the same rights as any other participant - except for the specific conditions concerning the UCI Elite categories.

2.7. Participants willing to compete in the UCI Elite women or men category must hold an annual competition cycling license. These compete for UCI points and prize money but also have to strictly obey the UCI rules.

2.8. The entry fee per participant is:

• Registrations up to and including 21st of January 2016: 165 €.
• Registrations from 22nd of January and until 25th of April 2016: 195 €.

2.9. Registration rights include:

• On-line and in-person customer service.
• Right to take part in the competition.
• Start numbers.
• Registration gifts.
• Electronic timing and live tracking.
• Electronic timing control device.
• Course marking and marshals.
• Sweep vehicles.
• Liquid and solid feed zones.
• Medical assistance on and off the course.
• Bicycle washing area.
• Guarded bicycle parking.
• Cloakroom.
• Toiltes and showers.
• Other free additional services in the paddock.

2.10. In case of any kind of disqualification or withdrawal from the competition, the entry fee is not refunded, neither totally nor partially.

3. Participants

3.1. All participants must be at least 19 years of age on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place.

3.2. Participants’ can register in any of the following categories:

Elite men.

UCI Elite. a man that must be 19 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place. He must hold an approved UCI Elite license, strictly obey the entire UCI regulations, will compete for UCI points and prize money.

Elite: a man that must be 19 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place. He must hold an approved cycling license (UCI, national or temporary), will not compete for UCI points neither prize money.

Elite women.

UCI Elite: a woman that must be 19 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place. She must hold an approved UCI Elite license, strictly obey the entire UCI regulations, will compete for UCI points and prize money.

Elite: a woman that must be 19 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place. She must hold an approved Elite (UCI or not) license, will not compete for UCI points neither prize money.

Master 30.

A man that must be 30 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place and must hold an approved Master license for competition. Those holding Elite category license cannot compete in this category.

Master 40.

A man that must be 40 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place and must hold an approved Master license for competition. Those holding Elite or Master 30 category license cannot compete in this category.

Master 50.

A man that must be 50 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place and must hold an approved Master license for competition. Those holding Elite, Master 30 or Master 40 category license cannot compete in this category.

Master women.

A woman that must be 30 years or older on the 31st of December of the current year in which the competition takes place and must hold an approved Master license for competition. Those holding Elite category license cannot compete in this category.

3.8. These categories will only be established if at least three teams start in each category.

3.4. IMPORTANT: According to the regulations of the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC), foreign participants holding a cycling license not issued by the RFEC, must have a written authorisation from their national cycling federation that certifies that their insurance is valid in Spain. This document must be shown to the Commissaires in order to collect the start number.

4. Administrative checks

4.1. The administrative checks and Welcome Pack pick-up take place on Thursday 12th of May 2016 from 16:00 to 20:30 at “Palacio de los Deportes de La Rioja” (Moncalvillo avenue # 2, 26008, Logroño, La Rioja).

4.2. Race numbers are assigned according to each category by order of registration and the last updated UCI ranking when the start numbers are assigned.

4.3. During the administrative checks an identification bracelet is handed out to each participant, who has to wear it during all the competition days. This bracelet allows access to the participant areas and is also useful for safety measures.

5. Teams’ meeting

5.1. There is a daily team meeting to which any Team Manager is welcomed. It reviews the next stage and reports possible unexpected changes in the development of the race. It is only compulsory to attend the first one, previous to the start of the competition.

5.2. Any changes are announced on the race’s news board, having the participants the responsibility of keeping themselves informed. The official website will also have a virtual news board in order to check last minute information.

6. Race procedure

6.1. The competition follows the general UCI rules and the UCI’s specific mountain bike regulations.

6.2. After each stage and at 19:00 latest, the stage results, general classification and participants allowed to take the start is released on the official website and news board.

6.3. All stages, except for time trials, are mass starts. The start of a time trial is done in inverse order to the overall classification. Participants start with a time difference of thirty (30) seconds.

6.4. The start grid opens twenty (20) minutes before the starting time. For time trial stages, each participant must be ready to take the start with this time in advance.

6.5. There are different start grids according to the competition’s overall classification. All leaders start in the front row.

6.6. Five (5) minutes before the start time, the access to the start grid is banned, being placed at the back of its corresponding starting group.

6.7. No participant is allowed to start once the official start has been given, unless a Commissaire allows it. Participants starting after that time shall be considered DNS (Did Not Start).

6.8. Each way point, cross section, feed/aid station, start and finish have a maximum time allowance, at which the service is closed. The time to reach these points is announced in the competition’s Road book.

6.9. Once this time is surpassed, riders must obey all traffic regulations since they will not have preference.

6.10. Any unlawful aid will mean the participant’s disqualification.

6.11. Participants that are no longer officially classified can continue taking part in the event in a recreative way, provided they do not influence on the development of the competition. Not obeying this rule leads to the expulsion of the race, without the chance of continuing.

7. Neutralised starts

7.1. For security reasons the start of any stage can be neutralised. The Course Director leads the participants on an official race vehicle. Once the stage is started by the Course Director the participants must start racing.

7.2. Once the official race vehicle has reached the end of the neutralised stretch, it will stop aside and indicate the end of the neutralisation.

7.3. During the neutralised start it is banned to overtake the Course Director’s vehicle.

8. Neutralised finishes

8.1. For security reasons, the finish line can be advanced before reaching an asphalt stretch. If this is so, a time period will be set to complete the distance from the finish line to the paddock. Any delay in reaching the Paddock will have a one (1) minute penalty per delayed minute. It’s compulsory to cross the control set at the paddock.

9. Road book

9.1. Each stage has a road book detailing the distance, altitude, type of trail, way points, cross sections, feed/aid stations and time closure for each service.

9.2. The road book also reports if the start or finish are neutralised, the distance of the neutralised stretch and the time allowance between the finish line and the paddock, if the stage has a neutralised finish.

9.3. This road book is purely informative and is not required to follow each stage.

10. Route

10.1. The competition will be raced in three (3) days:

• Stage 1 - XCM - 13th May 2016: Logroño.
• Stage 2 - XCM - 14th May 2016: Logroño.
• Stage 3 - XCM - 15th May 2016: Logroño.

10.2. The route is properly marked with signs, specially at trouble spots, such as cross sections, road crossings or streets.

10.3. The route is open to traffic but properly under control. The participants must obey the traffic authorities’ indications and ride with caution. On Spanish public roads, cyclists must remain on the shoulder of the right lane. It is recommendable to stay on the right hand side on dirt roads.

10.4. The route includes demanding climbs and technical downhill sections. It is the participant’s responsibility to decide if it is rideable. The organisation is not responsible for accidents concerning each participant’s skills or fitness level.

10.5. During the route there are two kind of controls: way points (CP) and cross section (CI).

10.6. At the way points a Commissaire scores the participant’s number plate and time.

10.7. Skipping a way point leads to disqualification.

10.8. Not following the indications of a cross section leads to disqualification.

10.9. Abandoning the route set by the organisation leads to disqualification.

11. Feed and aid stations

11.1. Feed and aid zones are properly sign posted all throughout the route. These have everything necessary to cover the participants’ food and hydration needs during the stage.

11.2. Feed zones match team’s aid stations, otherwise noted.

12. Marking

12.1. The course is marked with arrows. It does not require any electronic device to be followed.

12.2. Every ten kilometres, the distance to the finish line is indicated. The last five kilometres to the finish line are also indicated.

13. Unrideable stretches

13.1. If by unexpected circumstances a stretch of the route is unrideable and impossible to clear, the Commissaires, Course Director and Race Director may decide to divert the route along other points foreseen by the organisation.

13.2. If it is not possible, the finishing time is taken where the last timing control is placed.

14. Withdrawing

14.1. A participant who withdraws must report it to the organisation as soon as possible.

14.2. Not reporting a withdrawal leads to the expulsion from the competition.

14.3. In case of an accident or an emergency, and bearing in mind the participants’ safety, the organisation has the right to withdraw a participant from the competition.

15. Results

15.1. The results of each stage are arranged according on the time required to complete each one, plus added time penalties.

15.2. The total time of the stages completed and the total time penalties, establish the overall classification.

15.3. The following results are established:

• Overall.
• Elite Women.
• Elite Men.
• Master 30.
• Master 40.
• Master 50.
• Master Women.

15.4. There is a result list for UCI Elite women and men, in order to award these participants with UCI points and prize money.

15.5. Any participant who officially does not complete a stage, is out of the result list and not considered a Finisher.

15.6. All participants carry a disposable chip to register their times and be able to keep track of them. The Commissaires must approve these times in order for the results to be considered valid.

16. Awards

16.1. Each stage has an award ceremony for each category.

16.2. The first three participants of each category and the corresponding race leaders, have podium ceremony.

16.3. At the final award ceremony, the top three overall ranked participants of each category, are immediately called up to the podium once all of them have crossed the finish line.

16.4. Prize money and UCI points are only awarded to UCI Elite categories.

16.5. Prize money is only be held out after the last stage.

UCI Elite men

UCI Elite women

16.6. Prize money is paid through bank transfer once the event is over.

16.7. After the event, the competitors who carry prize money must fill-in and submit all the documentation requested by the organisation vía e-mail. If this is not so, the organisation understands that the participant refuses to perceive the corresponding prize money.

17. Bicycle

17.1. The bicycle must satisfy the UCI regulations, both technical characteristics and security measures.

17.2. Participants are allowed to change their bicycle each stage but it cannot be completely swapped nor changed during a stage.

17.3. Bicycles left at the official race bicycle parking can only be taken out by participants whose bracelet matches the bicycle’s number plate.

17.4. Tandem bicycles are not permitted.

18. Equipment

18.1. It is compulsory to compete with the number plate and number held out by the organisation. The number plate must be properly placed on the front of the bicycle. The number must be on the participant’s back. Both must be clearly visible and cannot be modified. The electronic timing control device cannot be modified and must be placed where the organisation indicates it.

18.2. All the leaders of the general classification of their category must wear the leader’s jersey, provided by the organisation. The leader’s jersey has a blank space on the front and on the back, to place the participant’s sponsors.

18.3. It is each participant’s responsibility to place their sponsors on the required space of the leader’s jersey.

18.4. For security reasons, it is recommended to carry a mobile phone.

18.5. Carrying some warm clothes (rain jacket, arm and leg warmers, etc.) during certain stages might be necessary. The organisation will not provide these to the participants and will not be responsible for each person’s clothing pick.

18.6. The organisation offers the participants the possibility to take off their warm-up clothes at the start area and collect them at the finish area. The organisation only collects clothes properly stored inside a backpack/bag labelled with a numbered bracelet provided by the organisation. The backpack/bag is only returned to the participant whose bracelet matches each other.

18.7. The organisation is not responsible for any clothes that is left free or is not properly stored in the backpack/bag.

18.8. The organisation is not responsible for any items lost along the route or left behind in the course of the event by any participant.

18.9. The organisation is not responsible for any bicycle’s breakdowns nor repairs that might happen in the course of the event.

19. Sport and nature

19.1. Our sport, mountain biking, is a competition or leisure activity that takes place in nature and its impact in this environment is a responsibility for all the participants and sport organisers. Participants are requested not to litter along the route, to be respectful with the environment (not riding outside the trails, not taking short cuts that damage the vegetation), being careful with animals, not leaving behind any spare parts, etc.

19.2. The Commissaires have the right to disqualify any participant that does not respect the environment or the private properties that are crossed during the race, expelling it from the competition without any possibility to continue taking part in it.

20. Considerations

20.1. Any participant can be subjected to an official antidoping test following the UCI rules.

20.2. All participants must be respectful with the other riders, Commissaires, members of the organisation, media and spectators.

20.3. The trails on which the competition takes place are assigned only and exclusively for the days of the race, therefore it is not allowed to spread the route’s GPS tracking.

20.4. The Commissaires have the right to disqualify any participant that does not respect these considerations, expelling him/her from the competition without any possibility to continue taking part in it.

20.5. All participants assign their image rights to the organisation, being able to use any photograph or video where they appear.

20.6. The organisation is not responsible for the expenses nor debts that the participants might incur in the course of the event.

20.7. If necessary and under major circumstances, the organisation has the right without previous notice and in order to guarantee the event's proper development and safety (participants, Commissaires, staff, etc.), to delay a start time, alter its schedule, and/or modify or cancel a stage.

21. Claims

21.1. Claims must be formally presented to the Commissaires and processed by these following the UCI regulations.

22. Paddock

22.1. No participant or team assistant can camp nor stay overnight at the paddock.

22.2. The organisation does not provide water neither electricity to the teams settled in the paddock, which must be self-sufficient.

22.3. If you want to have water and electricity, it must be hired to the organisation.

23. Changes and modifications

23.1. No cancellations neither modifications are accepted from the 26th of April 2016.

23.2. The organisation has the right to modify these rules without previous notice nor consent.

REGISTERING FOR LA RIOJA BIKE RACE MPLIES ACCEPTING AND ACCOMPLISHING THESE RULES. IT ALSO IMPLIES THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CANCELATION & MODIFICATION POLICY, DATA PROTECTION LAW, AND RESPONSIBILITY POLICY.