Contents Preamble... 4 Bodies... 4 The Team... 4 Event Information... 5 Date... 5 Venue... 5 Language... 5 Parking... 5 Transport... 6 By car... 6 By train... 6 By air... 6 Categories... 7 Rankings... 7 UCI Points (Stage Race Class 1)... 7 Prize money (in EUR)... 8 Leader jersey... 8 Event Program... 9 Thursday January 18 th 2018... 9 Friday January 19 th 2018... 9 Saturday January 20 th 2018... 9 Sunday January 21 st 2018... 9 Online Registration & Entry Fee... 9 Entry package... 10 Supporter package... 10 Registration and race numbers... 10 Rider Bags... 11 Race Briefing & UCI Rider Meeting... 11 Routes... 12 Length of stages... 12 Route preparation... 12 Route marking... 12 Route details... 12 Route Maps... 12 Eliminator Night Race (not part of the UCI Stage Race)... 12 2
GPS Devices... 12 Course... 13 Timekeeping... 13 Stage starts... 13 Time-trial prologue... 14 Finish / Maximum time /Cut-off times... 14 Final ranking... 14 Invitations... 15 Prize giving... 15 Medical and hospital service... 15 Safety... 15 Changing bikes... 16 Spikes... 16 Media... 16 Accreditation... 16 Interviews... 16 Volunteers... 16 Participation requirements & Liability... 16 Cancellation insurance... 17 Withdrawal... 17 Doping... 17 Referees... 17 Complaints... 17 Race jury decisions... 18 Technical assistance... 18 Support from third parties... 18 Traffic regulations & Code of Conduct... 18 Offences and Penalties... 19 Disqualification... 19 Abandoning the race... 19 Withdrawal from the race... 19 Environment & Littering... 20 Summary... 20 This technical guide and the rules & regulations hereafter are current as of December 12 th 2017. 3
Preamble In general, the regulations of Swiss Cycling and the UCI apply. The regulations listed in this document are additional provisions. In the event of any inconsistencies and where there is any doubt, the regulations of the UCI shall apply for all licenced athletes taking part in the Snow Bike Festival. The Snow Bike Festival will be a UCI Class 1 stage race. The race organiser (Snow Bike Festival AG) reserves the rights to update and amend these regulations at any time. It is the responsibility of the participant/rider to ensure they are always aware of these regulations and any changes made to them. Bodies Race organiser: Snow Bike Festival AG Address: Bösch 73, 6331 Hünenberg, Switzerland Phone: +41 41 450 56 52 Email: info@snowbikefestival.com Race jury The race jury is a neutral body selected by the race organiser, that makes final decisions on any complaints made by participants and officials. Referees The race organiser can designate referees who may report infractions of the rules to the race jury. The Team Herman Coertze DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER Email: herman@snowbikefestival.com Maximilian Wussler EVENT MANAGER Email: max@snowbikefestival.com Nadine Bieri SPONSORSHIP & HOSPITALITY Email: nadine@snowbikefestival.com Fritz Pienaar LOGISTICS MANAGER E-mail: fritz@advendurance.com Francois Theron RACE DIRECTOR E-mail: francois@advendurance.com 4
Event Information Date January 18 th to 21 st 2018 The event starts on Thursday afternoon (Jan. 18 th ) with the Prologue. Stages 1, 2 and 3 take place from Friday (Jan. 19 th ) to Sunday (Jan. 21 st ). The Eliminator Night Race will take place on Saturday evening (Jan. 20 th ) which is an optional event and not part of the official race. Venue Gstaad, Canton Berne, Switzerland Finish Village (Eggli Ski Lift, Gstaad) Race Office / Registration Lunch & Dinner area Expo Doping control Toilet facilities Language All event communication will be in English and German. Parking Parking for teams, riders, spectators and the general public is available next to the Eggli Ski Lift Gstaad. Please follow the Snow Bike Festival signposts which indicate where you can find parking spaces. 5
Transport By car Gstaad is located in the Canton of Berne, close to the French speaking part of Switzerland and is easily reachable by car. The driving time from Zurich Airport is 2.5 hours and 2 hours from both Basel and Geneva (both cities with international airports). By train The train station is located right in the center of Gstaad and offers frequent connections to most major Swiss cities. The rail journey from Zurich Airport takes just over 3 hours. To search train timetables and to book rail transfers online, go to the website of the Swiss Railways (www.sbb.ch). By air There are various airports in Switzerland from which Gstaad is easily reachable. Airports in Zurich, Basel and Geneva are all within 2 to 2.5 hours drive and a 2.5 to 3 hour train ride from Gstaad. Zurich Airport offers connections to most major international destinations around the globe. 6
Categories Snow Bike Festival UCI MEN one man 19 years and older (as of Dec. 31 st 2018) Snow Bike Festival UCI WOMEN one woman 19 years and older (as of Dec. 31 st 2018) Snow Bike Festival MEN one man 18 years and older (as of Dec. 31 st 2018) Snow Bike Festival WOMEN one woman 18 years and older (as of Dec. 31 st 2018) Rankings Snow Bike Festival MEN Snow Bike Festival UCI MEN Snow Bike Festival WOMEN Snow Bike Festival UCI WOMEN licenced riders and amateurs licenced riders only licenced riders and amateurs licenced riders only UCI Points (Stage Race Class 1) Place UCI Points Place UCI Points 1 120 18 20 2 100 19 18 3 80 20 16 4 75 21 14 5 70 22 13 6 65 23 12 7 60 24 11 8 55 25 10 9 50 26 9 10 45 27 8 11 40 28 7 12 35 29 6 13 30 30 5 14 28 31 4 15 26 32 3 16 24 33 2 17 22 34 1 7
Prize money (in EUR) Stage Race MEN Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Overall 1st 200.00 200.00 200.00 900.00 2nd 150.00 150.00 150.00 750.00 3rd 100.00 100.00 100.00 600.00 4th 75.00 75.00 75.00 450.00 5th 50.00 50.00 50.00 375.00 6th - - - 300.00 7th - - - 225.00 8th - - - 187.50 9th - - - 150.00 10th - - - 75.00 Stage Race WOMEN Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Overall 1st 200.00 200.00 200.00 900.00 2nd 150.00 150.00 150.00 750.00 3rd 100.00 100.00 100.00 600.00 4th 75.00 75.00 75.00 450.00 5th 50.00 50.00 50.00 375.00 6th - - - 300.00 7th - - - 225.00 8th - - - 187.50 9th - - - 150.00 10th - - - 75.00 Prize money (incl. prize money for each stage) will be paid out in cash at the Race Office on Sunday (January 21 st 2018), and must be collected by the rider no prize money will be paid out by EFT. Leader jersey The leader in each category (Men & Women) will be awarded an official Snow Bike Festival leader jersey after each stage. This jersey must be worn for the entire duration of the following stage. No alterations may be made to the leader jersey (this includes, no cutting of the material, covering or removing of sponsor logos, etc.), without the prior approval of the race organizers. 8
Event Program Thursday January 18 th 2018 Registration & Prologue 11:00-15:00 Registration Finish Village 12:30 Prologue (Amateurs) Finish Village Time TBC UCI Category - Race Briefing Finish Village 15:45 Prologue (UCI Category) Finish Village 18:30 20:00 Dinner Finish Village 19:00 Welcome, Race Briefings, Prize Giving and Highlights Finish Village Friday January 19 th 2018 Stage 1 9:30 Stage 1 Start GSTAAD Promenade Stage 1 Finish Finish Village 11:00 15:00 Lunch Finish Village 18:30 20:00 Race Briefings, Prize Giving and Highlights Finish Village Saturday January 20 th 2018 Stage 2 and Eliminator Night Race 9:30 Stage 2 Start GSTAAD Promenade Stage 2 Finish Finish Village 11:00 15:00 Lunch Finish Village 17:30 19:30 Eliminator Night Race Finish Village 18:30 21:00 Dinner Finish Village 20:00 Race Briefings, Prize Giving and Highlights Finish Village Sunday January 21 st 2018 Stage 3 9:30 Stage 3 Start GSTAAD Promenade Stage 3 Finish Finish Village 11:00 15:00 Lunch Finish Village 14:00 Final Prize Giving Finish Village Online Registration & Entry Fee Registration is done through the online registration portal provided by Race Result. Riders can register via www.snowbikefestival.com. The number of participants is limited. A participant s registration is only confirmed when the entry/registration fee has been paid in full. Payments shall be made via methods offered by Race Result. Installment payments are not possible. 9
Entry package The race organizer offers one type of entry package, known as the Race Pass. This entry package includes the following offerings: Lunch & Dinner (starting from Lunch on Thursday to Lunch on Sunday no breakfast) Rider accreditation Participation in the 4-day Stage Race (incl. prologue) Water point nutrition Customized Rider Bag Rider Bag transport from stage start to finish Event guide Official 2018 Snow Bike Festival Finishers Medal Rider gift pack (with sponsored merchandise) Supporter package The race organizer offers a supporter package, which allows family and friends of participants to accompany the rider. Lunch & Dinner (starting from Lunch on Thursday to Lunch on Sunday no breakfast) Supporter accreditation Event guide Supporter gift pack (with sponsored merchandise) Registration and race numbers At registration (in the Finish Village), each rider will receive a personalized wristband with a race number on it. A member of the registration staff will seal the wristband, which must be worn for the entire duration of the event. Damaged or ripped wristbands can be replaced at the race office. The damaged wristband must be handed in. Each rider is also given a race number for his/her handlebars. This number must be affixed to the designated spot and made clearly visible throughout the race. The handlebar number must always be affixed to the handlebar of the bike the rider uses. If a rider switches bikes, it is his/her responsibility to affix the number to the new bike. The race numbers may not be altered, cropped or have anything pasted to them. Sponsors logos may not be removed or manipulated in any way. UCI riders are obliged to present a valid UCI license as well as proof of identity when registering. UCI licenses will be inspected by Swiss Cycling and UCI officials. In order to participate, riders must complete and sign the Liability Waiver. If not completed online before the event, riders will be required to sign this at registration. 10
Rider Bags Every rider will receive a Snow Bike Festival rider bag, personalized with their race number. Riders should put a set of fresh warm clothes in this bag and then drop it off at the bag drop area (next to the Start in the Promenade). You'll then be able to collect this bag again at the end of each stage (in the Finish Village). Race Briefing & UCI Rider Meeting There will be a briefing for all participants the evening before each stage (see race program). The briefing will include a discussion of particular features and dangerous areas on the upcoming stage, including potential changes to the route. Attendance is compulsory for all riders. UCI riders may send a Team Manager. Prior to the prologue (on Thursday, 18 th January 2018) there will be a UCI rider briefing. Attendance for all UCI riders is compulsory. 11
Routes Length of stages Routes for the Stage Race usually range from 25 to 35 km in length and 500 to 1000m in altitude gain. The prologue (time-trial) on the first day will be a shorter course. Route preparation Route preparation will be handled by the GSTAAD Bergbahnen company. Route marking Route marking will be carried out in accordance to UCI regulations. Route details Stages will start in the centre of GSTAAD on the Promenade and take riders through the beautiful Villages of Saanen and Lauenen and deep into the Valleys around GSTAAD. Finish is always at the Finish Village (Eggli Ski Lift, Gstaad). Route Maps Route maps will be published on www.snowbikefestival.com/routes in mid-december 2017. Eliminator Night Race (not part of the UCI Stage Race) The Eliminator Night race (Saturday evening, Jan. 20 th ) will be a separate event (all stage race participants are automatically eligible to participate in the Eliminator), which adds even more fun to the event! Small groups of riders will compete on a short specially prepared track, eliminating each other to determine the ultimate winner and it all happens under lights! GPS Devices In case of extreme weather conditions, where route marking may become difficult to see, we encourage riders to bring their own GPS devices. All routes GPS files will be made available for the riders. These files must only be used for the race and may not be shared. 12
Course The riders must complete the entire course for all stages, including the time-trial prologue. Only riders who complete the entire course within the allotted maximum time for all stages will qualify as official race finishers. At all times, every rider must follow the official race route and obey the directions of the course marshals. They may not take shortcuts or adopt any other tactics that would gain them an unfair advantage over fellow competitors. Each rider is personally responsible for following the official route. Riders who leave the course for any reason must return to the course at the same point from which they exited. The actual course and distance of the route and tallied elevations may vary from the published listings and may be changed at short notice due to external circumstances. Certain sections of the course may be available for training. Details will be published later. Timekeeping Riders are timed individually via a transponder affixed to their number board. This transponder must remain affixed to the number board for the entire duration of each stage. Each rider is personally responsible for ensuring his/her transponder is mounted properly and that it is registered when he/she crosses the timing mats during the race. If a transponder is lost or destroyed, it can be replaced by visiting the race office in the Finish Village. No rider may at any time carry more than one transponder or pass his/her transponder to another rider. The start will remain open for 15 minutes after the official start time for the last zone. Riders arriving late will start the stage with a corresponding time deficit. In such cases, the maximum stage time will not be extended. Participants who arrive at the start more than 15 minutes after the last official start time will not be allowed to race the stage and will receive no official result on that day. They will be listed under DNS (did not start) in the day s results. Stage starts The riders must assemble in the designated starting blocks within the start chute no later than 20 minutes prior to the official start time. Starting blocks will be assigned on the basis of the current overall ranking and will be posted the evening before at the race office. The race organizer may assign different (i.e. staggered) start times for individual starting blocks. Should this be the case, all the rules in these regulations pertaining to start times shall apply to the start time for the assigned starting block. The leading riders in the Snow Bike Festival categories (Men, Women) will be called to start in the first starting block. The leaders are obliged to be ready no later than ten minutes prior to the start time. The individual starting blocks will close ten minutes before the official start time. Riders who arrive too late must line up at the end of the last block. Once the riders have entered the starting block they must remain there until the start. 13
Prologue starting times will be published on our website shortly before the event. Time-trial prologue The race begins with a time-trial prologue on Thursday, January 18 th 2018. Participation in the prologue is mandatory for all teams. The prologue time counts towards the overall ranking. A starting time for the prologue will be assigned to every rider. The start list will be published on the Snow Bike Festival website, shortly before the event. Riders must be at the start 15 minutes before their start time. Each rider is personally responsible for arriving punctually. If a rider shows up late for their start time, he/she may start at the referee s discretion. The stage time for the prologue will be measured individually for each rider and will commence from the rider s actual start time. Should a rider fail to finish the prologue in the specified maximum stage time, he/she will be excluded from the overall ranking. The race organizer can institute training restrictions on the race course. On the day of the race, no riders except those officially racing are allowed on the race course. All further rules in these regulations also apply to the prologue. Finish / Maximum time /Cut-off times Times are taken when competitors cross the finish line. Riders may cross the finish line on foot, provided they have their mountain bikes with them. A maximum time (e.g. 6 p.m.) is announced for each stage prior to the race. Those who do not cross the finish line before this time (e.g. 6:15 p.m.) will be excluded from the overall ranking. This maximum time is not a duration (e.g. eight hours) but a time (e.g. 6 p.m.). The race organizer may change this maximum time at short notice. Changes to the maximum time will be announced at the briefing for the stage in question. A decision to prolong the maximum time (e.g. plus one hour = 7 p.m.) may also be made during the stage. The race organizer can designate various cut-off points along the route (such as at a water point) that must be reached within a certain time. Riders who fail to reach these cut-off points within the designated time will be removed from the race. If a rider cannot continue the race, all efforts will be taken to transport the rider and bike to the finish area at the individual s expense. Official finishers are those who have completed every stage as stipulated in these regulations within the maximum time allowed and on their mountain bike. Those who are unable to complete a stage for any reason will be excluded from the official overall ranking and have no right to the designation of official finisher. However, those riders may race on the days that follow as out-of-competition riders. Final ranking Final rankings are calculated by adding together the time each rider took to complete the prologue, Stage 1, Stage 2 & Stage 3. The rider with the least total time will win his/her 14
category. In order to be included in the final rankings a rider must have completed all four races, within the maximum allowed stage time. Invitations The race organizer reserves the right to invite additional riders, especially top international riders. Prize giving The prize giving ceremony for each stage (and category) will take place 20 minutes after the 3 rd placed rider for the respective category has crossed the finish line. Prize giving ceremony for the overall leader will take place directly after the stage award ceremony (or 15 minutes after the overall leader crosses the finish line assuming he/she was not ranked in the Top 3 for that stage). Riders must be present for the prize giving ceremony. Failure to appear at the prize giving ceremony will mean the rider forfeits the prize money for that stage. This prize giving ceremony takes place in the Finish Village. A second award ceremony will take place each evening (at the evening presentation) shortly before the race briefing. The Top 3 riders (for the day s stage) in each category and the overall leaders in the Men & Women category are also required to be present at this ceremony, to receive their prize money. Medical and hospital service The closest Hospital is located in Zweisimmen (16km 20min by car) Spital Zweisimmen Karl Haueter-Strasse 21 CH - 3770 Zweisimmen Samaritans of the Samariterverein will be placed at different points along the race route to ensure they are able to help any participants who require medical assistance. Safety Participants must wear cycling helmets that comply with international ANSI standards. Fatbikes, Plus Bikes and Mountain Bikes must be in good working order and race ready at the start of each race. The bicycles may be propelled only through a chainset and by the rider's leg action, without any form of assistance (electrical or otherwise). Each rider is responsible for the maintenance of his/her own bike for the duration of the event. Appropriate riding attire, must be worn at all times. It is the responsibility of the rider to carry adequate clothing and be prepared for sudden weather changes as may be appropriate to cycling in winter conditions. The event does not have exclusive use of public and private roads during each race and participants must abide by the accepted rules of the road at all times. Participants must obey the instruction of race marshals and traffic officials at all times. Participants may not take part in this event while under the influence of alcohol, any drug or medication. All medical and emergency evacuation costs, incurred by the organizers on the participants' behalf, will be for the account of the participant involved. 15
The race manager and/or race organizers reserve the right to prevent a rider from continuing the race on receipt of medical advice from an official race medic. The decision of the race manager and/or the race organizers in this regard shall be final. Changing bikes Riders may swap their bikes between stages. This means a rider may use a normal mountain bike for Stage 1 and then use a Fat Bike for Stage 2. Riders may NOT change bikes during a stage. The same sized tyre must be used in the front and the back of the bike (i.e. riders cannot use a normal MTB tyre in the front and a Plus Bike tyre in the back). Spikes As per UCI regulations, UCI category riders will not be allowed to use tyres with spikes. Amateur riders will however be allowed to use tyres with spikes. Media Accreditation All media members (journalists, photographers, TV crews, etc.) must apply for accreditation prior to the event or directly on-site during the event. Accreditation can be collected at the Finish Village shortly before or during the event. Further details will be announced closer to the event. Interviews Upon request, riders will be made available from interviews. Volunteers The race organizer aims to employ members of local clubs as volunteers for the event. Participation requirements & Liability Race participants do not require a racing license; however, they must be at least 18 years of age on January 1 st of the year of the event. All participants must follow the regulations set out in this document and the traffic laws in the Swiss Road Traffic Act. Participants must meet the requirements of the race organiser and follow instructions from officials at all times. Participants must be in good mental and physical health. The race organiser may exclude any participant that is deemed to not meet an appropriate standard of mental and physical health. Participants acknowledge that they are in good health and have trained adequately as might be expected of a person for such an event. All participants must have health and accident insurance which provides cover in Switzerland as well as rescue and transport insurance. The insurance must cover the full costs of an emergency transport. The race organiser recommends a REGA patronage (www.rega.ch). 16
Furthermore, it is advisable to purchase cancellation risk insurance as the race organiser will not refund any fees at any point in time. Participants take part in the race/event at their own risk. Participants release the Snow Bike Festival AG, the event organisers, and other staff, helpers, volunteers and medical staff involved in this event from all liability. Included are any claims, that myself, my heirs or other 3rd party s may make on my behalf, due to injuries suffered, damages caused and/or death. Furthermore, participants release the Snow Bike Festival AG, the event organisers, and other staff, helpers, volunteers and medical staff from all liability towards 3rd party s, as long as these 3rd party s incurred damages and/or injuries caused by my participation in the Snow Bike Festival. Cancellation insurance Entry fees will not be refunded under any circumstances. The race organizer advises that participants purchases their own cancellation insurance. The insurance is not provided by the race organizer and lies in the participant s responsibility. Withdrawal Participants who register for the Snow Bike Festival are under the obligation to make payment. Participants may withdraw from the event; however, no entry fees will be refunded by the race organizer. The race organizer advises participants to purchase cancellation insurance (see Cancellation insurance section). If the Snow Bike Festival is cancelled or cut short for any reason whatsoever, participants may not claim a refund for their entry package. Doping Violations of anti-doping regulations and doping sanctions are pursued in accordance with the regulatory statutes of Antidoping Switzerland, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Cycling Union. Unannounced doping tests may be performed at any time. The Antidoping tests will be carried out in the Anti-Doping tent at the Finish Village. Referees Referees will be deployed to ensure participants comply with regulations and to report any infractions of the rules to the race jury and the UCI commissionaire. Complaints Complaints against referees decisions and other determinations made by the race organizer (regarding timekeeping, misconduct, etc.) must be submitted in writing to the Race Office. This must describe the nature of the complaint, mention relevant witnesses, and be accompanied by a deposit of CHF 100. Complaints from official volunteers and organization committee members require no deposit. As a rule, the complaint must be submitted within an hour after the rider has been informed of the referee s decision. If the rider is informed of the decision during the race, the complaint must be made within one hour of the rider crossing the finish line. Complaints regarding ranking must be submitted within an hour of the ranking being posted. 17
Race jury decisions A race jury assembled by the race organizer will make rulings on complaints. The race jury s decisions are final and cannot be contested. If the complaint is upheld, the CHF 100 deposit will be refunded. Technical assistance Technical material may be dropped off at one of the official waterpoints by a rider s supporter. No actual assistance may be given by this supporter to the rider. The rider must make any repairs himself/herself. Support from third parties No third-party support may be accepted from bystanders. This rule does not apply in case of crashes, injuries or other emergencies. Racers may not allow themselves to be pushed or pulled by a third party or load their bicycle onto a vehicle. Riders must complete the entire course with their bikes; however, they may carry or push their bikes. Riders may not receive help from people accompanying them during the race. Riders may not leave the course to get help at bike shops. If they exit the course, riders must re-enter the race at the exact same spot. Drafting behind fellow competitors within their own category is allowed. Drafting is NOT allowed behind riders within another category (i.e. women may not draft behind men). Drafting behind a rider who is out of competition or someone who is not a race participant is not allowed. No other form of drafting is permitted, including but not limited to drafting behind private vehicles, motorbikes, trucks and official race vehicles. People accompanying participants during the race may cheer on riders along the route, but may under no circumstances pass on materials, clothing or provisions. Assistance is only permitted in the case of injury and in medical emergencies. People accompanying participants during the race must not impede riders (or vehicles) in any way. Riders may not be accompanied on the course by pacesetters, accompanying persons or bystanders (e.g. in cars, on motorbikes, bicycles, on foot or travelling by any other means). Provisions, drinks, clothes or replacement parts may only be received in officially marked zones from official Snow Bike Festival personal. Riders may accept assistance from other competitors throughout the race. Traffic regulations & Code of Conduct The race takes place on public and freely accessible routes. Vehicles, people and animals not associated with the race may be present on the course at any given time. All regular traffic regulations must be strictly observed at all times. In Switzerland, drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road. Instructions from race marshals and uniformed public safety officials (police officers, fire-fighters, paramedics, traffic assistants, etc.) must be strictly obeyed at all times. 18
Riders must always ride on the right-hand side of the road and never, under any circumstances, cut corners; they must always assume there may be oncoming traffic. Riders must never cross closed or blinking railway crossings. Slower riders must give way to faster riders who are attempting to overtake them. On sections where it is compulsory to push the bike, riders may not overtake. Each rider must travel at speeds that are within his/her ability and act responsibly. All race sections, especially descents, must be navigated with the utmost care. Riders must be prepared to brake at all times, especially during descents. Riders are obliged to notify other participants of dangers. Riders must be mindful of hikers and walkers and, when in doubt, grant them the right of way. Riders who crash or whose bikes have mechanical defects must vacate the course immediately; any first aid measures or repairs are to be performed at the side of the course. Riders are not allowed to change lanes during final sprints. Riders must strictly obey the riding bans on those sections of the course where the race organizer has instituted no-riding zones. This also applies to UCI-licensed athletes. Compliance will be monitored. Anyone disregarding riding bans will be immediately disqualified. Offences and Penalties The race jury may penalize riders who fail to obey the generally accepted rules of sportsmanship. Penalties can include: Warning Time penalties Declassification Disqualification Anyone observing a rider violating the rules must inform the race jury about the offence. The race jury decides if a penalty applies or not. Disqualification Disqualification means that a rider is pulled out of the race and is denied permission to compete in any further stages of the race. Abandoning the race The race organizer may suspend, change or abandon any stage of the race at its discretion whenever it deems this necessary out of safety concerns or for any other pertinent reason. The race organizer shall decide whether the stage will be included in the overall ranking or disregarded. Withdrawal from the race Riders who, for whatever reason, do not wish to, or are unable to, continue the race are obliged to officially notify an official at the race office or to call the race hotline (number to be 19
announced), and to personally withdraw from the race and return the transponder in case they do not start for the next stage. Should a rider fail to properly inform race officials of his or her withdrawal and should this result in a search-and-rescue operation, the rider shall bear the cost of said operation. If a rider fails to reach a cut-off point within the time allowed, can only finish with external assistance (e.g. bus, train, motor vehicle), or is unable to finish at all, that rider will be excluded from the overall ranking and deemed out of competition. However, the rider will still be allowed to start on the following days. Environment & Littering Discarding any items (rubbish, gel tubes, drinking bottles, bicycle inner tubes, etc.) in areas outside the designated zones is prohibited and will be punished with a time penalty or disqualification. Summary Remember to have fun at all times, as this is an experience of a lifetime! 20