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Tour Series regulations

The Tour Series will be held under the rules and regulations of British Cycling and those specific regulations of the Tour Series as detailed in full below.

The Tour Series will be held under the rules and regulations of British Cycling and those specific regulations of the Tour Series as detailed in full below.

Riders and teams must be familiar with and abide by these regulations. By having entered the Tour Series, all personnel (staff and riders) are considered to have accepted the regulations in full and to bear sole responsibility for any injury, accident or loss that may occur.

Article 1. The Tour Series

1.1 The Tour Series will be open, by invitation only, to elite category teams holding current British Cycling and/or UCI racing licences.

1.2 A team must comprise a minimum of five riders, who are:

[Men’s series] Elite, first and second category seniors, and junior male licence holders of first or second category. Foreign nationals holding a recognised UCI competition licences may also participate.

[Women’s series] Elite, first, second and third category senior, and junior female licence holders of the same category. Foreign nationals holding a recognised UCI competition licences may also participate.

1.3 The series will comprise seven rounds in 2022 and the emphasis will be based entirely on the team’s performance. Teams may change their riders for any one of the rounds, provided that they are registered and licensed members of that team at date of entry and registered for the Tour Series (see Article 2.5).

1.4 All riders will be assigned a ‘squad number’ and transponder by the race organisation that will also form their race number for all of the rounds. These numbers will be assigned by the series’ organisation prior to the first event on the calendar.

1.5 The Tour Series organisation reserves the right to invite guest riders and / or teams for individual rounds and / or the entire series.

1.6 Upon entry to qualify for the overall total prize fund each and every team must field five riders at each round throughout the series, unless receiving an exemption from the Tour Series organisation.

Article 2. Series Entry

2.1 Teams must pay an entry fee for the whole series. The entry fee will be set at £1,250 + VAT for the entire series.

2.2 Teams must agree to participate in every round of the Tour Series.

2.3 All entry fees are non-refundable and must be paid no later than the date indicated on the entry form. Teams who have not paid an entry fee will not be permitted to start round one. The date for payment is Friday 29 April 2022.

2.4 Upon registering for the Tour Series, teams will be required to nominate / register a minimum of five and a maximum of 10 riders who can be used during the Tour Series.

2.5 Only listed riders will be eligible to ride during the series. All riders registered must show the team as first claim on their physical or electronic licence at the time of round one.

2.6 There will be no alterations to the 10 riders nominated permitted once the deadline for entries has closed at 17:00 on Wednesday 27 April.

Article 3. Race Format

3.1 Based on circa 1 – 1.5km town and city centre circuits, each round of the Tour Series will comprise one men’s and one women’s race, each of approximately one hour of racing plus five laps.

3.2 A lapboard will be shown at/with five laps go at all rounds regardless of circuit length.

3.3 Should changes to the regulations be deemed necessary for specific rounds then these may be implemented by the organisation at any time. Any such changes will be notified to the invited teams at least 24 hours prior to the next round of the series.

3.4 The Tour Series is based on accumulated team points. Points will be awarded according to team finishing positions at every round.

3.5 All five riders will be awarded a finishing time for every round with a team counting their best three finishing times. The team with the lowest aggregate actual transponder time will be awarded the team victory, and so on.

3.6 Lapped riders (see Article 13) will be their race time plus their own average lap time for every lap lost, which will count towards their team total.

3.7 Non-finishers times will be calculated on the following basis. They will receive the race time of the final classified rider (including lapped riders) plus a time penalty of 10 seconds for every lap not completed.

3.8 The Tour Series organisation reserves the right to insert extra cash / prize primes at any of the rounds, in addition to the sprints competition (see Article 5). Any additional primes will be communicated to the riders and teams at the pre-event briefing (see Article 9).

3.9 The race will begin with a single sighting or neutral lap behind the TV motorbike to create a rolling start.

3.10 The Tour Series organisation reserves the right to neutralise the race at any time without recourse.

3.11 Following a neutralised period, the race will be restarted from the start / finish line, minus the number of laps or time completed prior to the neutralisation.

3.12 In the event of a neutralisation culminating in the cancellation of the round, the organisers reserve the right not to award points or prize money for that round of the Tour Series.

Article 4. Overall Classification

4.1 The team that accumulates the most points overall across all rounds will win the overall Tour Series.

4.2 Points will be awarded to teams on the following basis per round: 1st 10pts 2nd 9pts 3rd 8pts 4th 7pts  5th 6pts 6th 5pts 7th 4pts 8th 3pts 9th 2pts 10th 1pt

4.3 In the event of two or more teams being level on points in the overall standings, in all rounds other than the final round, it will be the team with the highest team finishing position at the most recent round completed who take precedent on the leader board.

4.4 The team leading the Tour Series will be presented with the Freewheel.co.uk leaders’ jerseys for all five riders to wear in the subsequent round.

4.5 At the end of the final round in the Tour Series, in the event of two or more teams being tied on points, the organisation (in conjunction with the commissaires panel) will use the following criteria to establish an overall classification:

– Number of team 1st places in the Tour Series
– Number of team 2nd places in the Tour Series
– Number of team 3rd places in the Tour Series and so on down to last place

4.6 In the event of there still being a tie, teams will be placed according to their team finishing position in the final round of the Tour Series.

4.7 Teams not fielding a minimum of four riders in any round will only be eligible for a maximum one point in that round unless dispensation has been agreed in advance of that round with series organisers.

Article 5. Sprints Competition

5.1 There will be a sprints competition at each event for individual riders, comprising three intermediate sprints, held approximately every 15 minutes, plus the finish.

5.2 One lap to go for the sprint will be indicated by a klaxon, PA announcements and flashing gantry lighting.

5.3 The first five riders across the line at each sprint and finish will receive points on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis.

5.4 The rider with the most points at each round will be the winner of those evenings’ sprints competition. In the event of two or more riders being level on points, the Tour Series organisation (in conjunction with the commissaires panel) will use the following criteria to establish a result:

– Number of 1st places in that race’s sprints
– Number of 2nd places in that race’s sprints and on down to 5th places
– If riders are still equal on points the ranking will be made on the higher position in the final sprint. If this still ranks equal the 3rd sprint will be considered, then 2nd then 1st..

5.5 The rider that accumulates the most points overall across all of the rounds will win the sprints competition. In the event of two or more riders being level on points, the Tour Series organisation (in conjunction with the commissaires panel) will use the following criteria to establish a result:

– Number of round wins in the sprints competition
– Number of 1st Places in sprints across the entire Tour Series
– Number of 2nd Places in sprints across the entire Tour Series and so on down to 5th Places

5.6 Riders lapped at the sound of the klaxon may not participate in the sprint.

5.7 The leading rider in the sprints classification shall wear the Freewheel. co.uk sprints jersey at the following round.

Article 6. Fastest Lap Competition

6.1 There will be a fastest lap competition at each round of the series.

6.2 This will be awarded to the rider recording the fastest individual lap of that round – including the final lap.

6.3 To be eligible for the Fastest Lap riders must complete the race within one-lap of the race winner (ie Recorded in the results at up to and including + 1 Lap)

6.4 Organisers reserve the right to annul a rider’s fastest lap should they and/or commissaires feel a lack of sportsmanship has taken place with no appeal.

Article 7. Race Numbers, Photo Finish and Transponders

7.1 The Tour Series will provide body numbers and transponders by the organisation.

7.2 All riders must wear body numbers (two, to be fixed left and right on the lower back). Failure to adhere to this regulation may result in non-placing of a rider.

7.3 Race numbers must not be defaced/folded in any way shape or form. Failure to adhere to this regulation may result in non placing of a rider.

7.4 Team managers will need to produce racing licenses (for those not seen at registration) to sign on their riders and collect their transponders (two per rider) from the results unit adjacent to the start / finish line between 2pm & 4.30pm and return the transponders there immediately after the finish of each round including round one. Prize money will be deducted for the non-return or loss of transponders.

7.5 Team managers are requested to submit their chosen team by 16:00 on the day prior to the round to both the chief judge Carole Leigh and PR Director Peter Hodges.

Article 8. Accreditation

8.1 All teams entered will receive one vehicular accreditation pass to allow a team car into the pit area.

8.2 Teams will receive a maximum of three accreditations, which must be supported with a current British Cycling or UCI licence, to allow support personnel to access the pit area, which must be displayed at all times.

Article 9. Compulsory Team Manager Briefing

9.1 A team manager briefing will be held by the Tour Series organisation prior to round one in Guisborough. The time of this briefing will be notified in the event manual and sent to all team managers. This briefing will be compulsory and has to be attended by all team managers.

9.2 Race numbers and transponders (two per rider) will be collected from the results unit adjacent to the start / finish line at round one, these must be collected prior to the start of the Team Managers briefing. These must be collected between 14:00 and 15:00 at round one in Guisborough.

9.3 Further team managers’ briefings may be called at the discretion of the race organisers and will be communicated at least 24 hours in advance to teams.

Article 10. Pre-race Warm-up

10.1 Teams will be allowed access to the race circuit for warming up approximately 30 minutes prior to the race start. The times for the warm-up shall be indicated in the event schedule for each round.

10.2 Only those riders entered for that evening’s round will be allowed on the circuit during the warm-up. The warm-up is solely for riders and team staff should not be on the circuit.

10.3 Appropriate team clothing plus helmets must be worn at all times.

Article 11. Signing On

11.1 A ceremonial signing on will take place at the podium adjacent to the start / finish line. This will close 15 minutes before race start.

11.2 Teams will be required to nominate one rider to attend the presentation on behalf of their team. This rider should be nominated when submitting the line-up the night before the round. Any team/rider failing to present themselves at signing on will be subject to penalties.

11.3 Teams may nominate a different rider to represent them at each round of the series.

11.4 Riders will be required to present themselves at the podium 30 minutes prior to the race start.

11.5 Riders will be called onto the podium in one or two groups (depending on number of teams and size of podium) and presented to the crowd.

Article 12. Starting Grid

12.1 The grid formation will be laid out with two banks of seven rows of riders with one rider from each team represented.

12.2 The grid order at each round will be decided based on the overall standings, with the leading team taking position one, and so on down to the last ranked team. In the event of two or more teams being level on points in the overall standings, it will be the team with the highest team finishing position at the previous round who take precedent.

12.3 For the opening criterium round of the Tour Series, the grid positions will be drawn at the team managers’ meeting.

12.4 After warming up prior to the start, riders will return to the pit area before being directed to proceed to the start / finish straight, where they should line up at the ‘50m to go’ board. A rider from each team will then be called forward to the start line and introduced to the crowd via the PA.

12.5 Once the two rows of riders have been gridded the remaining riders will be called forward to complete the grid.

12.6 Any individual guest riders will be positioned on the grid at the discretion of the organisers.

Article 13. Lapped Riders

13.1 In the event of rider(s) being lapped by the leading group, these lapped rider(s) will continue until three laps to go, where they will be withdrawn and placed, after sprinting for position on the line. They will be given their actual race time plus their own average lap time for every lap lost.

13.2 All riders when retiring from the race, whether individually or as a part of a group, must retire via the pit area (unless instructed differently).

13.3 Lapped riders must not impede the progress of the lapping riders, nor must they manipulate the outcome of the race. Teams found to be deliberately flouting this regulation will be deducted points from their overall team competition score. Riders that are lapped and do not heed to instructions via the public address system, officials and / or organisers to withdraw will be disqualified from the round.

13.4 A rider(s) will be considered lapped when the leading rider(s) make the junction with the rear of the group that they are within. The judges’ decision is final.

13.5 When caught by a rider or group of riders, lapped riders should allow the group to pass and not join in with the rider(s).

Article 14. Laps Out

14.1 There will be no laps out permitted during the race for mechanical difficulties, punctures, accident or personal injury.

14.2 In the event of a major incident (crash) and / or threat to life, the race will be neutralised, and pit access permitted with no penalty during the neutralised period.

Article 15. Podium Protocol / Awards Ceremony

15.1 The post-race podium ceremony will take place immediately after the finish of the race at the podium, located adjacent to the start /finish line.

15.2 The following persons will be required at the podium ceremony:

– The individual winner of the round
– All five riders from the winning team of the round
– All five riders from the team leading the overall team classification following the round
– The winning rider in the round’s sprints competition
– The leader of the sprints competition
– The winner of the fastest lap competition

Article 16. Leader’s Jerseys

16.1 All members of the team leading the overall classification shall wear the leaders’ jerseys provided by the series organisation at the subsequent round. Failure to do so will result in the removal of the riders and / or team from the event.

16.2 All five members of the leading team in the overall team’s classification will be presented with a jersey during the post-race podium ceremony.

16.3 The leading rider of the sprints competition shall wear the Freewheel.co.uk sprints leader’s jersey provided by the series organisation at the subsequent round. Failure to do so will result in the removal of the riders from the event.

16.4 Teams must supply their own registered logos and/or branding for the front of the leader’s jersey to the Tour Series organisation by Monday 25 April.

Article 17. Prize Fund

17.1 The total prize fund for The Tour Series 2022 will be £27,000. This will be split 50/50 between the men’s and women’s competitions.

17.2 All prizes will be paid within 30 days following the final event in the Tour Series.

Article 18. Team Parking

18.1 Parking for teams will be provided by the event organisation in the vicinity of the circuit and notified in the event manual. There will be parking for one car per team in the pit area as per 19.2. All other team vehicles must remain at the parking provided or other notified location.

Article 19. Pit Area

19.1 Each team will be responsible for their own servicing in the pit area. There will be sufficient area for one car per team at each round.

19.2 Teams will be invited to place one, suitably equipped and branded, team car in the pit location, together with a maximum of three British Cycling licenced, accredited team personnel only.

19.3 Team cars will be required to take their relevant place approximately one hour before start of the round. Failure to do so will result in the team car not being allowed entry to the pits.

19.4 Teams abusing either the maximum number and/or accredited personnel within the pit area will be penalised at the discretion of the race organisation, with the scale of penalty increasing for repeat offences (e.g. 1pt for first offence and so on).

19.5 There will be no feeding or handing up of bottles from the pit area or any other part of the circuit during the race.

Article 20. Changing Facilities

20.1 Changing facilities are not guaranteed at every round. Details of any changing facilities available will be included within the event manual.

Article 21. Discipline

21.1 Depending on the nature of the offence, the Tour Series organisers and/or commissaires may at their discretion impose a range of penalties upon riders, managers, helpers or officials. Offences include, but are not limited to, violence, improper behaviour, indecent behaviour and/or breaches of regulations.

21.2 Such penalties may range from a reprimand/warning, relegation, points penalty, disqualification or a fine.

21.3 Riders infringing the regulations will jeopardise the further participation of their team for the remainder of the series.

21.4 Riders and teams are to demonstrate safe and clean racing at all times.

Article 22. Anti-Doping Control

22.1 British Cycling anti-doping regulations are applicable at every event in the Tour Series.

22.2 The Tour Series reserves the right at any point in the series to refuse entry to riders and / or teams that are either currently under, or pending, suspension under British Cycling and / or UCI rules, and whose participation may be detrimental to the image and reputation of the Tour Series.

Article 23. Appeals

23.1 Following the production of the results there will be no appeals allowed after the organisation and/or commissaries have made their decisions.

Article 24. Guest Teams

24.1 There will be no guest teams competition in the 2022 Tour Series.

Article 25. Start Lists and Results

26.1 Final start lists for each round and the results will be available on the official series website.

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