MTBO specific questions

MTBO specific questions

Agenda MTBO specific questions Pre-event Competition area Map, mapping standards Course setting Controls Equipment Safety

MTBO competition area (Rule 14) Suitable terrain path network access (landowners, nature restrictions, hunters) suitable for planned format distances, placement of event-arena Off road riding options forbidden carrying OK no restriction

Crossing the forest IOF Rule 14.8 Riding off the track or trail will normally be disallowed unless specifically agreed by the organiser and the IOF Event Adviser. This information shall be given at the latest in Bulletin 2 In practice this rule that cannot be standardised. Three main groups of countries exist for off track riding in forest and fields: Typically no off track riding: Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, etc. Typically off track riding is allowed: Baltics, Finland, Hungary, Portugal, etc. Typically may carry the bike across (20cm from ground) Czechia, Slovakia 5

Embargo rules IOF Rule 26.6 Any attempt to survey or train in the competition terrain is forbidden, unless explicitly permitted by the organiser. Attempts to gain any information related to the courses, beyond that provided by the organiser, is forbidden before and during the competition. IOF Rule 26.7 The organiser shall bar from the competition any competitor who is so well acquainted with the terrain or the map, that the competitor would have a substantial advantage over other competitors. Appendix 8 of the IOF Rules Embargo guidelines in 8 points Restrictions on potential competitors, teams, coaches, managers, and anybody associated with the team or individual Guidelines from use of public transport to drones and XCO races 6

Bike IOF Rule 21.2 The bicycle shall be designed to be propelled solely through a chain set, by the legs moving in a circular movement, without electric or other assistance. IOF Rule 21.3 Each competitor shall ensure that his/her equipment (bicycle with accessories and other devices fitted, headgear, clothing, etc.) does not, by virtue of its quality, materials or design, constitute any danger to himself or to others. Transport also for bikes Suitable accommodation secure bike storage Access to bike repair 7

GPS devices IOF Rule 21.11 Competitors shall not use or carry telecommunication equipment between entering the pre-start area and reaching the finish in a race, unless the equipment is approved by the organiser. GPS-enabled devices (watches, cycle computers etc.) can be carried provided that they have no map display and are not used for navigation purposes. However, the organiser has the right to specifically forbid the use of such equipment. The organiser may require competitors to carry a tracking device and/or a GPS data logger. 8 Guidance on legal and illegal GNSS devices is available on the website of the MTBO Commission http://www.mtbo-commission.com/various.html

Quarantine rules IOF Rule 22.17 The organiser may define a quarantine zone in order to prevent those who have not started gaining information about the courses. The organiser defines times when competitors and team officials must be inside the quarantine zone The organiser may prohibit the use of telecommunication devices within the quarantine zone. Start quarantine (the classic one) May enter before the start of the quarantine (but not after) May leave only once athletes through Start, coaches to the Finish Finish quarantine (the convenient one Hotel California) May enter any time (via Finish or as coach) May never leave (until the official end typically when Start Q starts) 9

Use of maps on competition day IOF Rule 15.6 On the day of the competition, the use of any map of the competition area by competitors or team officials is prohibited until permitted by the organiser. 10

Mechanical problems IOF Rule 21.9 Competitors may carry tools and spare parts during the competition, but shall not (except in an equipment zone) use spares or tools other than carried by themselves or another competitor. IOF Rule 21.8 The organiser may define a zone where teams may place equipment such as spare parts and tools before the first start or at a time specified by the organiser. No assistance (e.g. from a coach) is permitted in the equipment zone or during the competition. IOF Rule 21.10 Competitors must finish the competition with the same cycle frame with which they started. The frame is the only part of a bike that is not a spare part 11

Equipment / clothes IOF Rule 21.1 Wearing a rigid safety helmet is compulsory during competitions and training sessions. IOF Rule 21.4 As long as the rules of the organising Federation do not specify otherwise, the choice of clothing and footwear shall be free. IOF Rule 21.5 [ ] Start numbers shall be clearly visible from the front and the back and fixed as prescribed by the organiser. [ ] The number bibs may not be folded or cut. IOF Rule 21.7 Riders must stay with their bike throughout a race from start to finish, whether they ride, push or carry it. IOF Rule 21.12 Competitors may not wear the team clothing of another Federation (on World Championships and World Cups) Staying with the bike is not strictly defined, depends on intentions 12

Mapping standards ISMTBOM 2010 is the current standard On-going review process Include elements of urban mapping, mainly for Sprint Simplify some map signs Rethink some others (e.g. fence) Find proposal under http://www.mtbo-commission.com/map-working-group.html 13

Mapping questions (Rule 15) Scale 1: 5,000 S 1: 7,500 S 1:10,000 S, M, MS, R 1:15,000 M, MS, R, L 1:20,000 L (exceptionally) Size A4 preferred (max 35x42 or smaller) water-resistant paper Standard ISMTBOM 2010 - new road classification - new overprint for forbidden routes / cross - new control marking option - recommendation on rideable areas

Road classification This is based on rideability not visibility! 15

Mapping problems Visibility >> Rideability Visibility << Rideability Make sure you understand local conventions! 16 Is this a road at all?

Further mapping problems Generalization question too much detail (Foot-O map) too generalized (good enough for MTBO) Junctions are critical VS VS

Options for rideable area when off road riding is not allowed Black dots Black pattern Orange 100% yellow

Option for rideable area when off road riding is allowed 100% yellow NO GO 50% yellow OK

Mapping overprints upper purple Control with focus Uncrossable barrier / forbidden to cross Forbidden route

Forbidden route vs spot Forbidden to ride along or across - except where passage shown Forbidden to ride across the spot - all other places permitted In spots where two tracks or paths almost meet, but the situation is not obvious on the map, this symbol can be used to indicate that crossing is forbidden. 21

Out-of-bounds area Note different from FootO Bounding line is an option for visibility, but does not carry any meaning 22

High fences A boarded or wire fence, not crossable by the riders, e.g. deer fence - but it is not forbidden to cross If a fence is forbidden to cross, it shall be marked with the symbol 707 (uncrossable boundary with crossing point). But organisers may disqualify riders who cause damage to fences, walls, etc. 23

Course setting (Rules 16,17) Winning times Same for M/W and all classes 21+ more difficult to estimate than in Foot-O more dependent on weather climbing and underground have more influence Course design Long more focus on route choice Sprint more focus on navigation Zig-zag / counterflow / blind corners / different speed safety should be considered Fairness Equal conditions as much as reasonable Reduce advantage situations for short cutting Put out areas which can provocate unfair situations

Course setting (Rules 16,17) Restricted areas and routes Dangerous areas, forbidden routes (should be absolutely clearly marked on the map!) Compulsory routes, crossing points etc, shall be marked on the map and if necessary in the area Bikers have high speed and are in competition stress, mark one step more intensive than you think you will have to do!

Controls (Rule 19) Two options all controls on roads/paths (off road controls BUT: has to be announced in B#2 control description are NOT required any longer) Printing do not cover important details (junctions, tracks etc.) magenta (1) under black break circle control code readability move it to neutral position use white halo around numbers magenta (2) on top of other colors control with focus point

Poor overprint

Start / Finish (Rules 22,23) 1 min to handle map (22.7) + 1 leg on the ground (from 1.1. 2016) Mass start: stand over bike, maps 15 sec before start (from 1. 1. 2016) No technical challenges Run in last 50m / 5m / as straight as possible - was 200m Slow down riders with control if necessary - this may not be possible with touch free controls If quarantine used - start / finish / start & finish - make place for warm up / cool down - shelter / toilets

Safety issues Protection / Help Warning Compulsory gear First aid / ambulance Prevention Traffic marshals Course and arena design (no blind turns, straight run-in) Dangerous area warning

Injured riders IOF Rule 26.2 It is the duty of all competitors to help injured riders. Report injuries to the MTBO Injury database http://www.mtbo-commission.com/various.html This is not a matter of fair play or being nice. Stopping and helping injured riders is an absolute must! 30

General safety and conduct MTBO Code 1 Slow right down when passing members of the public on foot or on horseback. MTBO Code 2 Avoid damaging the path through aggressive riding such as skidding. MTBO Code 6 When riding on public roads the traffic rules of the country must be observed 31

When riders meet in the forest MTBO Code 3 When two riders converge: riders should normally pass with their left shoulders any rider travelling uphill must be given priority at an intersection, the rider on the smaller path should give way to any rider on the larger path. MTBO Code 4 Generally, riders should overtake on the left. If necessary, overtaking riders should call out to say whether they want to overtake on the left or the right. MTBO Code 5 Slower riders should give way to overtaking riders. 32

Reminder some recent rules Same winning time for women as for men Orange start group (11-20 start slots) Controls min 50m from each other Equipment zone can be defined by organisers Mass start / Relay start stand over bike GPS carry is OK if no map screen (and not used!) No off-map riding 50 for protests Late fees may be charged No involvement in betting