BIKENZ CYCLO-CROSS RULES Adapted on the 22 th May 2012 Please note that these rules were adopted from the UCI rules, please refer to UCI for the latest rules 1
CONTENTS 1. Participation... 3 2. Course... 3 3. Pit Area... 5 4. Event Procedure... 6 5. Equipment... 8 6. Riders Clothing... 18 7 Sanctions... 20 Appendix... 21 2
Cyclo-cross is a race that usually lasts between 30-60 minutes that is a mixture of different surfaces (road, dirt, sand e.t.c) that includes man-made & natural obstacles around a short course where the competitors ride a number of laps. The objective of the race is to be first person to cross the finish line after they have completed all their laps. 1. PARTICIPATION 1.01 All riders competing in the National Championships must hold a minimum of a National Licence to be allowed to compete. The licence must be presented whenever requested by a duly authorised person. 1.02 The following age categories are applicable for Cyclo-cross in New Zealand: - Junior Under 19 - Under 23 (Men Only) - Elite (23-29) - Master (30+) note there can be sub categories under Master You may elect to enter in a higher grade for the year note you must stay in that higher grade until the new licence year. Under 23 Men may choose compete as Elite Men and it will not affect their licence. 1.03 Riders age category is determined by their age as at the 31st of December of the year of their licence. 1.04 Only riders with New Zealand as their nationality may compete in the National Championships. Riders who do not have New Zealand as their nationality on their licence and are not in the top 50 of the UCI ranking may participate with the national federation s approval. 2. COURSE 2.01 A cyclo-cross course shall include road, country, forest paths and grass fields alternating in such a way as to ensure changes in the pace of the race and allowing riders to recuperate after difficult sections. 2.02 The course shall be usable in all circumstances, whatever the weather conditions clay or easily flooded areas and agricultural land should be avoided. 2.03 The course must form a closed circuit of a minimum length of 2.5km and a maximum of 3.5km, of which at least 90% is rideable. 2.04 The course must be at least 3 metres wide throughout and clearly marked and taped on both sides. 2.05 The start section must be on firm ground, and preferably on surfaced road. It must have a length of at least 200 metres and a width of at least 6 metres. It must be as straight as possible and not include any descent. The first narrowing or obstacle after the start section may not be abrupt, it must be such as to allow all riders to pass easily. The angle of the first corner must be greater than 90 degrees. If there is a start banner it shall be erected at least 2.5m above the ground over the start line and shall cover the whole width of the start section. 3
2.06 An assembly area for starters (call-up zone) shall be provided and marked off with barriers behind the start line (see Appendix 1). Eight lanes with a width of 75cm and of a length of 10m shall be marked out on the ground at right angles to the start line in order to facilitate organising the riders into starting order (see Appendix 1). 2.07 The finish section must run straight for at least 100 metres. The width must be at least 4 metres. The section must be flat or uphill. If there is a finish banner it shall be erected at least 2.5m above the ground over the finish line and shall cover the whole width of the finish section. 2.08 The start and finish sections must be free of obstacles. 2.09 The course may include no more than six man made obstacles. Obstacles shall mean any part of the course where riders are likely (but not required) to dismount. 2.10 The length of an obstacle may not exceed 80 metres and the height may not exceed 40cm. The total length of obstacles may not exceed 10% of the course. 2.11 A single section of planks may be included in the course. This obstacle must consist of two planks placed a minimum of 4 metres apart and a maximum of 6 metres apart. The planks must be solid for the entire height, without sharp edges and not made of metal. They must have a maximum height of 40cm. They must extend the entire width of the course. In the event that the course is abnormally slippery, the plank section must be removed on the decision of the president of the commissaires panel, in consultation with the organizer. 2.12 Non-natural sand pits should be a minimum of 40 metres, and a maximum of 80 metres long with a minimum of 6 metres wide. The sand pit should be located on a straight section and requires a level entrance and exit. 2.13 Descents of flights of steps are not permitted. 2.14 The course may pass over bridges or footbridges as long as they are at least 3 metres wide and have protective barriers on both sides. Bridges or footbridges shall be covered with an anti-slip surface (matting, mesh or anti-slip paint). 2.15 A zone of at least 100 metres before and 50 metres after the finish line will be protected with barriers. It will be accessible only to organisational staff, the riders, paramedics, team managers and accredited press. The organiser must strictly control access to this zone. Adjacent parts of the course where riders pass in both directions must be separated by the safety net. The safety nets used must have no opening greater than 1cm x 1cm. 2.16 The judge s stand at the finish must be covered and preferably located on the left of the course. The organiser shall provide at least four radio sets to the commissaires panel. These radio sets must have one channel reserved for the sole use of the commissaires panel and another with which it is possible to contact the organiser. 2.17 The organiser must take steps to avoid damage to the course by spectators. Before the start of each race, the organiser must check the condition of the course and carry out any repairs required. 4
For the national championships, a parallel course is required for sections of the course which deteriorate easily. 2.18 For National Championships and events where large crowds are expected, on technical parts of the course, a safety area must be provided between spectators and the course, as shown below: The Zone A sections must be minimum 75cm wide. The use of dangerous items along the course, such as fencing wire (barbed or otherwise) and metal stakes (including those used for advertising banners) is forbidden. The course must also be routed away from any item which presents danger to the riders. From 5 minutes before the start of the race, the course may not be ridden by anyone other than the riders in the race.. The race organiser must provide enough marshals to ensure the safety of the riders and spectators during competition and official training sessions. 2.19 At least one ambulance and one basic first aid post are required at all races. For each event, at least one (1) doctor and at least four (4) people qualified to perform first aid in New Zealand shall be present at the event. 2.20 The organiser must provide riders with a heated room, showers with hot and cold water and a water supply for cleaning of equipment. These installations must be no more than 2km for the finish line. 3. PIT AREA 3.01 A pit area is required as part of the race course and it is where riders can change wheels and bicycles. 3.02 The pit area must be straight and may not include any obstacle. They must be located on a part of the course where the speed is not high, excluding gravelled sections and descents. 3.03 For National Championships a double pit area (see Appendix 2) is compulsory. The double pit area must be set up where two sections of the course are close enough together and the distance along the course between the successive pits is more or less equal each way. If this is not possible the event may be organised with consent of the national federation to have two single pits (see Appendix 3). 5
3.04 For the whole length of the pits the racing lane and the pit lane must be separated, using barriers and marker tape. The pit area must be signalled and marked precisely with a yellow flag at the beginning and the end of the separation between the two lanes. 3.05 At the side of the pit lane a zone at least 2 metres deep shall be set aside for riders mechanics and their equipment. 3.06 In double pit areas provision must be made for a water supply for cleaning of equipment. For single pit areas the water supply must be in the immediate proximity such that mechanics do not have to cross the course to access it. 3.07 Along the pit lane provision must be made for at least 12 boxes marked off by barriers with a width of 4 metres (see Appendix 2) 3.08 Only two accredited assistants per rider shall be allowed in the box of each rider. 4. EVENT PROCEDURE 4.01 For National Championships the President of the Commissaire s Panel (PCP) will be appointed by the National Federation. Without prejudice to the responsibility of the organiser, the PCP shall supervise the preparation of the technical aspects of the event. 4.02 A race programme technical guide must be created and distributed to the competitors and officials prior to the event. It must include the following information: - the special regulations for the race; - schedule and times of race; - the prize list; - description and detailed map of the circuit, showing the circuit length and profile, the start and finish, the pit area and the obstacles; - the location of the registration, accreditation issue point, the press room, and antidoping control location (if necessary); - timing and where applicable photo-finish installations; - policing, security and emergency medical arrangements. 4.03 Accreditation must be provided at the national championships. This is to allow riders, event staff, officials and support staff access to restricted areas. The following must be accredited: 6
- Riders - Event Staff - Commissaires - Marshalls - Riders support staff - UCI staff (if required) - National Federation Staff (if required) The accreditation must be distributed outside the circuit, in a clearly indicated place. 4.04 Each rider may be accompanied by a medical assistant and two mechanics. Please note only two are allowed in the pit lane. 4.05 The riders shall assemble in the call-up zone defined in 2.06 at least 10 minutes before the start. Riders must wait for the start with at least one foot on the ground, or be penalised by being sent back to the last place in their start lane. 4.06 The start order of events is determined as follows: Men Elite, women, men under 23 and men juniors 1. As per the most recently published UCI cyclo-cross individual classification of the current season 2. As per the most recent published BikeNZ cyclo-cross individual classification of the current season 3. Unclassified riders; by drawing lots. 4.07 Riders who cause a false start shall be pulled out of the race. In case of a false start, a new call up procedure and gridding will be done. 4.08 The duration of the events must be as close as possible to: - 40 minutes for women s events - 40 minutes for juniors men s events - 50 minutes for under 23 men s events - 60 minutes for the elite men s events and for events in which elite and men under 23 ride together. 4.09 A rider may only take pit lane to change his bicycle or a wheel. In the event of warm weather conditions (above 20 C) the commissaires panel may decide to allow feeding in the pit lane. Under those conditions feeding is not allowed during the first 2 and last 2 laps. 4.10 Riders must behave in a way that is not detrimental to safety anyone at the event (including themselves) Commissaires may remove anyone from the racing if they feel that the rider is a hazard to themselves of anyone at the event. This rider will be recorded as a DQF and will not be eligible for points. The commissaires decision will be final and there will be no provision for appeal. 7
4.11 Equipment changes must be carried out within the confines of the pit lane at their designated pit. A rider who has passed the end of the pit area must continue to the following pit area for any bicycle or wheel change. A rider who is still in the racing lane may enter the pit lane as long as he retraces his route in the racing lane and enters the other lane at its start without obstructing other competitors. 4.12 Changes of wheel or bicycle between riders are forbidden. 4.13 The last lap of the race shall be announced by the bell. 4.14 All riders who cross the finish line after the winner shall have finished the race and will be given a placing on the basis of their position. 4. 15 A rider who retires must leave the course immediately and does not have the right to cross the finish line. He needs to inform the commissaire panel immediately and shall be listed in the results as DNF and shall not be awarded any points for this event. 4.16 Lapped riders must complete the lap during which they were lapped and leave the event via an exit located before the finishing straight or in the 80% zone if that rule applies. They will be listed in the results in the order in which they are pulled out of the race plus number of laps which have not been completed. 4.17 The decision as to whether the 80% rule is to be applied will be made by the president of the commissaires panel after discussion with the organiser. Any rider whose time being 80% slower of that of the race leader s fist lap will be pulled out of the race. He shall leave the race at the end of his lap in the zone provided for the purpose of the rule except when the rider is on his final lap. 4.18 The official ceremony shall take place immediately after the last rider has finished and shall take no longer than 10 minutes. 4.19 Those involved in the official ceremony are permitted to wear additional clothing. 4.20 For National Championships the president of the commissaires panel must submit the results to the UCI immediately. The national federation must immediately notify the UCI of any fact or decision which would result in a change to the points awarded to a rider. 4.21 In the event of difficult weather conditions (i.e. strong winds, heavy snow fail, temperature below 15 C) the president of the commissaires panel after consulting the national federation (if needed) and the event organiser has the provision to modify the course or postpone the race. 4.22 The use of radio links or other remote means of communication with riders are forbidden. 5. EQUIPMENT 5.1 PRINCIPLES 8
5.1.01 Each licence holder shall ensure that his 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. Each licence holder shall ensure that the equipment he uses on the occasion of cyclo-cross events shall be approved by the UCI according to the specifications of the Approval Protocols in force and available on the UCI Website. 5.1.02 The UCI and National Federation shall not be liable for any consequences deriving from the choice of the equipment used by licence holders, nor for any defects it may have or its noncompliance. Equipment used must meet applicable official quality and safety standards. 5.1.03 A licence holder is not authorised to modify, in any way, the equipment given by the manufacturer used in competition. 5.1.04 No technical innovation regarding anything used, worn or carried by any rider or licence holder during a competition (bicycles, equipment mounted on them, accessories, helmets, clothing, means of communication, etc) may be used until approval by the UCI. Requests for approval shall be submitted to the UCI, accompanied by all necessary documentation. There is no technical innovation in the sense of the present article if the innovation entirely falls within the specifications foreseen in the regulations. 5.1.05 If at the start of a competition or stage the commissaires panel considers that a rider arrives with a technical innovation not yet accepted by the UCI, it shall refuse to permit the rider to start with such an innovation. In the event of use in competition, the rider shall automatically be expelled from the competition or disqualified. There shall be no right to appeal against the decision of the commissaire s panel. If this technical innovation is not noticed or sanctioned by the commissaires s panel, the UCI disciplinary commission shall order the disqualification. The UCI shall refer to the disciplinary commission, either automatically or at the request of all interested. The disciplinary commission will only apply sanctions after having received the opinion of the equipment commission. 5.1.06 Bicycles shall comply with the spirit and principle of cycling as a sport. The spirit presupposes that cyclists will compete in competitions on an equal footing. The principle asserts the primacy of man over machine. 5.1.07 The bicycle is a vehicle with two wheels of equal diameter. The front wheel shall be steerable; the rear wheel shall be driven through a system comprising pedals and a chain. 5.1.08 Bicycles and their accessories shall be of a type that is sold for use by anyone practising cycling as a sport. The use of equipment designed especially for the attainment of particular performance (record or other) shall not be authorised. 9
5.1.08 The rider shall normally assume a sitting position on the bicycle. The position requires that the only points of support are the following: the feet on the pedals, the hands on the handlebars and the seat on the saddle. 5.1.09 The bicycle shall be propelled solely, through a chainset, by the legs (inferior muscular chain) moving in a circular movement, without electric or other assistance. 5.2 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 5.2.01 Except where stated to the contrary, the following technical specifications shall apply to bicycles used in cyclo-cross racing. 10
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5.2.02 A bicycle shall not measure more than 185 cm in length and 50 cm in width overall. 5.2.03 The peak of the saddle shall be a minimum of 5 cm to the rear of a vertical plan passing though the bottom bracket spindle. Any rider who, for these reasons, considers that he needs to use a bicycle of lesser dimensions than those given shall inform the commissaires panel to that effect when presenting his licence. In that case, the panel may conduct the following test. Use a plumline they shall check to see whether, when pedalling, the point of the rider s knee when at its foremost position passes beyond a vertical line passing though the pedal spindle (see diagram «Measurements (2)»). 5.2.04 The saddle support shall be horizontal. The length of saddle shall be 24cm minimum and 30cm maximum. 5.2.05 The distance between the bottom bracket spindle and the ground shall be between 24cm minimum and maximum 30cm. 12
5.2.06 The distance between the vertical passing through the bottom bracket spindle and the front wheel spindle shall be between 54cm minimum and 65cm maximum. The distance between the vertical passing through the bottom bracket spindle and the rear wheel spindle shall be between 35cm minimum and maximum 50cm. 5.2.07 The distance between the internal extremities of the front forks shall not exceed 10.5cm; the distance between the internal extremities of the rear triangle shall not exceed 13.5cm. 5.2.08 Wheels of the bicycle may vary in diameter between 70cm maximum and 55cm minimum including the tyre. The width of the tyre (measured between the widest parts) shall not exceed 33mm and it may not incorporate any form of spike or stud. For massed start competition in cyclo-cross, only wheel designs granted prior approval from the UCI may be used. Wheels shall have at least 12 spokes; spokes can be round, flattened or oval, as far as no dimension of their sections exceed 10mm. 5.2.09 The weight of the bicycle cannot be less than 6.8 kilograms. 5.2.10 The frame of the bicycle shall be of a traditional pattern, i.e. built around a main triangle. It shall be constructed of straight or tapered tubular elements (which may be round, oval, flattened, teardrop shaped or otherwise in cross-section) such that the form of each element encloses a straight line. The elements of the frame shall be laid out such that the joining points shall follow the following pattern: the top tube (1) connects the top of the head tube (2) to the top of the sear tube (4); the seat tube (from which the seat post shall extend) shall connect to the bottom bracket shell; the down tube (3) shall connect the bottom bracket shell to the bottom of the head tube. The rear triangles shall be formed by the chain stays (6), the seat stays (5) and the seat tube (4) with the seat stays anchored to the sear tube at points falling within the limits laid down for the slope of the top tube. The maximum height of the elements shall be 8cm and the minimum thickness 2.5cm. The minimum thickness shall be reduced to 1cm for the chain stays (6) and the seat stays (5). The minimum thickness of the elements of the front fork shall be 1cm; these maybe straight or curved (7). (See diagram «Shape (1)»). The top tube may slope provided that this element fits within a horizontal template defined by a maximum height of 16cm and a minimum thickness of 2.5cm. 13
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5.2.11 In competitions only the traditional type of handlebars (see diagram «structure 1») may be used. The handlebars must be positioned in an area defined as follows: above, by the horizontal plane of the point of support of the saddle (B); below, by the horizontal line passing through the highest point of the two wheels (these being of equal diameter) (C); at the rear by the axis of the steerer tube (D) and at the front by a vertical line passing through the front wheel spindle with a 5cm tolerance (see diagram «Structure (1A)»). The brake controls attached to the handlebars shall consist of two supports with levers. It must be possible to operate the brakes by pulling on the levers with the hands on the lever supports. Any extension to or reconfiguration of the supports to enable an alternative use is prohibited. A combined system of brake and gear controls is authorised. 5.2.13 Any device, added or blended into the structure, that is destined to decrease, or which has the effect of decreasing, resistance to air penetration or artificially to accelerate propulsion, such as a protective screen, fuselage form fairing or the like, shall be prohibited. 15
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5.2.14 Disc brakes are allowed in cyclo-cross training and competition. For racing the use of a fixed sprocket is forbidden: a braking system that acts on both wheels is required. 17
6. RIDERS CLOTHING 6.1 When competing, all riders shall wear a jersey with sleeves and a pair of shorts, possibly in the form of a one-piece skinsuit. By shorts it is understood that these are shorts that come above the knee. Sleeveless jerseys shall be forbidden. 6.2 Jerseys shall be sufficiently distinct from world champions, UCI cup, classification leaders and national jerseys to avoid confusion. 6.3 No item of clothing may hide the lettering on the jersey or the rider s identification number, particularly in competition and at official ceremonies. 6.4 Rain capes must be transparent or made to look like the jersey. 6.5 Wearing a rigid safety helmet shall be mandatory during competitions and training sessions for cyclo-cross. Each rider shall be responsible for: - ensuring that the helmet is approved in compliance with an official security standard and that the helmet can be identified as approved; - Wearing the helmet in accordance with the security regulations in order to ensure full protection, including but not limited to a correct adjustment on the head as well as a correct adjustment of the chin strap; - avoiding any manipulation which could compromise the protective characteristics of the helmet and not wearing a helmet which has undergone manipulation or an incident which might have compromised its protective characteristics; - using only an approved helmet that has not suffered any accident or shock; - using only a helmet that has not been altered or had any element added or removed in terms of design or form. 6.6 It is forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing or items designed to influence the performances of a rider such as reducing air resistance or modifying the body of the rider (compression, stretching, support). Items of clothing or equipment may be considered essential where weather conditions make them appropriate for the safety or the health of the rider. In this case, the nature and texture of clothing or equipment must be clearly and solely justified by the need to protect the rider from bad weather conditions. Discretion in the respect is left to the race commissaires. Equipment (helmets, shoes, jerseys, shorts, etc.) worn by the rider may not be adapted to serve any other purpose apart from that of clothing or safety by the addition or incorporation of mechanical or electronic systems which are not approved as technical innovations by the UCI. 6.7 Riders must not wear any advertising on their clothing other than the following instances: - If they belong to a UCI Registered Trade Team they may wear Trade Team sponsors - If they belong to a Domestic Trade Team or Club they may wear trade team/club sponsors - If they have sponsors on their licence they may wear the sponsor on their shorts 18
National Champion s Jersey 6.8 National Champions in the categories as stated in 1.2 must wear a National Champions Jersey in all events in the discipline, speciality and category in which they won the title and no other event. When he no longer holds the title of national champion the rider must wear piping in national colours on the collar and cuffs of his jersey as per the technical specifications determined by the national federation. However, he must wear such a jersey only in events of the discipline, speciality and category in which he won the title and in no other event. Wearing the national champion s jersey or piping in national colours is prohibited as soon as the anti-doping commission, after the review described in article 204 of the anti-doping rules, asserts that the rider committed an anti-doping violation and until his definitive acquittal. The national champion jersey, must be worn whenever a rider is engaged in activities on the track, awards ceremonies, press conferences, television interviews, autograph sessions and other occasions which require a good presentation. 6.9 Without prejudice to relevant provisions, should they require the wearing of different jerseys by to the same rider, the order of priority shall be as follows: 1. The leader s jersey of the cup, series or UCI classification 2. The world champion s jersey 3. The continental champion s jersey 4. The national champion s jersey 5. The national jersey 19
7.0 SANCTIONS 7.1 The following infringements shall be penalised as indicated below: (the sums are the fine in Swiss Francs) 1. Non-regulation clothing (colour and layout) - rider: 50 to 200 and start not permitted - team: 250 to 500 per rider 2. Non-regulation advertising 2.1 Team, per rider bearing non-regulation advertising: - jersey: 500 to 2,100 and start of the rider concerned not permitted - shorts: 300 to 1,050 and start of the rider concerned not permitted - skinsuit: 700 to 3,000 and start of the rider concerned not permitted 3. Leader s jersey 3.1 Unavailability of jerseys or skinsuits as required by the race regulations - organiser: 1,000 to 2,100 per rider concerned 3.2 Leader s jersey or skinsuit not fit to wear - organiser: 1,000 to 2,100 per rider concerned 3.3 Allocation of unauthorised jerseys - organiser: 1,000 to 2,100 per jersey concerned 4. National champion s jersey: - in breach of article 6.8: rider 200 to 10,000. 20
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