The new revised 2009 summer series is now set to start with criteriums at Deakin University (Waurn Ponds).

Obviously this has taken a long time to organise and get off the ground and I would like to thank the Uni for helping out the Geelong Cycling Club.  This is a great opportunity for us to race on a closed circuit week in week out until our winter season commences. 

 

The dates for the series are as follows :

February

• Sunday 1st
• Sunday 8th  
• Saturday 14th
• Sunday 22nd

March

• Sunday 1st
• Sunday 8th
• Sunday 22nd
• Saturday 29th 

We will be racing over a very challenging 1.5km circuit which will guarantee hard racing.  The circuit is as follows :

Race entry will be $10.00.  No $100 and $50 dollars notes or silver coins will be accepted for entries (no exceptions).

 

Initially, fields will be limited to 30 each grade.  We are doing this to ensure safety on this circuit.  Given that we are doing this on a new circuit we want to ensure everything flows the way we have planned.  This limitation may be reviewed after the first few races.   

 

We only have the Uni for 3 hours which as a result will only allow us to run 3 grades of racing. 

 

• C Grade with start at 9:30 and run for 45 mins plus 2 laps
• B Grade will start at 10:30 and run for 50 mins plus 2 laps
• A Grade will start at 11:30 and run for 55 mins plus 2 laps

We will endeavour to make the racing as even as possible, if you are unsure of where you fit in, contact the club via the website and leave your contact details so we can call you back.   

 

There have been some rules set up to ensure we use the facility kindly donated to us properly.  I suggest everyone makes themselves familiar with these.  Failure to adhere to the rules will result in penalties.

The University is public land and also has specific parking requirements.  Failure to adhere to these parking requirements WILL result in parking infringement notices being handed out.  Cars will not be able to be parked on the immediate race circuit at any time. Car parks are located at various places around the Uni so we suggest you make yourselves familiar with these on your arrival if you are driving. 

We suggest you all make yourselves familiar with the following rules and regulations.  Failure to adhere to these may result in you not being able to race.

GCC Rules for Racing

Criterium Racing Rules

 

We aim for professionally run, fun and safe races, with a grading system that ensures riders compete at a level that is both challenging for their fitness and suitable for their level of experience.

Important information to all riders

Licenses

Every rider must have a current Cycling Australia or UCI competitive license, or purchase a day license or 3 race license. Riders will be expected to produce their license, club receipt or email confirmation of on-line renewals at the entry table each time they race.
$50 and $100 notes and silver coins can not be accepted at the entry table

Entry fees are used to pay prize money to the top finishers in each grade. We are not a bank, and providing change from large denomination notes (regardless of how many people you want to pay for) means we will not have enough smaller notes left to divide the entry pool into the prizes that are awarded at each race. We also do not have the time to discuss this policy on race day, so please come prepared - auto tellers do distribute $20 notes!
Handicapping Policy

On race day, no changes can be considered to a rider's allocated grade due to the number of riders we need to process in the short period of time before each race. Riders who believe they are no longer competitive in their current grade should write to or email the Chief Handicapper, James FitzGerald, outlining their case a couple of days ahead of time.

Safety Focus

The safety of riders, officials and members of the public is paramount at all times. On road circuits like Paraparap, traffic control measures are employed to minimize conflict with other road users, but all riders must be aware that these races are conducted on public roads and be prepared to yield to motorists or pedestrians at any time.All directions from course marshals and race officials must be immediately followed without question.

All participants are expected to be familiar with GCC's Rules for Racing and the Cycling Australia Code of Conduct. We expect all competitors to show respect and courtesy towards all other riders, officials and volunteers. Directions from marshals and commissaires must be immediately followed without question - failure to comply can result in the Chief Commissaire imposing monetary fines and suspensions in addition to disqualification from the race.

During racing, in addition to the normal technical regulations that cover racing, the following rules apply, and breaches of these rules will attract penalties from the Chief Commissaire:

1. Riders are to maintain a straight course where possible and keep to the left side of the circuit unless overtaking.
2. Riders may not deviate from their line unless their back wheel is well clear of the front wheel of riders following behind or to either side - i.e. you must not cut another rider off when overtaking or attacking.
3. Riders should not attempt to improve their position in corners, in particular by diving up the inside of the bunch. Riders are expected to follow the line set by the bunch through corners whenever it is safe to do so.
4. Riders must not strike the road surface with their pedals while cornering.
5. Riders who leave the racing circuit proper, may not improve their position within the bunch.
6. Both hands are to be kept on the handlebars, unless a rider is taking a drink. Unfortunately, this also means that victory salutes are banned.
7. Any rider involved in a fall must report to the Chief Commissaire or entry table officals to have the details of their accident recorded, regardless of whether they require first aid treatment.
8. Riders must not gain assistance from riders from any other grade on the circuit at the same time.
9. Lapped riders must withdraw from the circuit at ‘2 to go' or when directed by officials.
10. Helmets must be worn at all times you are riding your bike - this includes warming up and cooling down on either roads, carparks and footpaths.

Where do I belong?

A Grade - average speeds generally above 40kmh .Suits - strong and very experienced riders. Excellent cornering and bunch riding skills are required
B Grade - average speeds are generally around 40kmh. Suits - strong and experienced riders. B Grade riders have generally accumulated a number of top four places in C grade competition and should have very good bunch riding skills and understanding of race tactics and etiquette.
C Grade - average speed 37 - 38kmh Suits - riders with some bunch riding experience. C Grade fields often comprise a mix of experienced racers, newer riders from a triathlon or MTB background, and riders who have moved up from D Grade after achieving a number of places over a season, as well as riders who have too much strength for the D Grade race to provide them with meaningful competition. Strong riders will often move very quickly into B Grade.
D Grade - average speed 34 - 36kmh Suits - experienced riders who do not have the strength or fitness to compete in a higher grade, and new or younger competitors aiming to build experience and strength.
Novice Racing Clinic (also known as E Grade) - average speed 22 - 30kmhSuits - new senior riders with no bunch riding experience, and junior riders without the strength or fitness to race at a higher level. At least half of each session is run at a moderate speed that allows  a mentor to teach the basics of crit racing: bunch riding, cornering and working turns. In the closing stages of each session, the mentor will increase the speed to allow the more confident riders to tackle attacking and sprinting. Senior riders will generally not be allowed to sprint against juniors, and once senior riders have shown they have gained the necessary skills and confidence the will be invited to join the D Grade bunch.

Note :

Due to the time allocation we have at Deakin we can only run 3 grades of racing being A, B and C Grades at this point in time. 
 
Deakin Uni Racing Rules

By entering the Deakin University complex, all riders and spectators agree to comply with the following rules, which are in addition to GCC’s Rules for Racing and the Cycling Australia Code of Conduct:

1. Other than the access road, car park, toilet block, registration area, and the grassed around the direct circuit, all other areas are off limits to both riders and spectators.
2. Only riders who have registered and paid to race, and are displaying their race number, are allowed on the racing circuit once it has been declared open by GCC officials. No spectators are permitted on the racing circuit proper.
3. Toilet facilities are provided at the KD Stewart Centre. Failure to use the proper facilities will incur a $100 fine and 6 month suspension from all forms of racing.
4. Any instruction from a GCC or Deakin University official must be immediately followed.
5. No dogs are permitted within the complex, for safety reasons.
6. Riders must present a current Cycling Australia license or receipt in order to register. Day licenses and 3 Ride licenses will be available.
7. $50 and $100 notes WILL NOT be accepted at the entry table.
8. Silver coins WILL NOT be accepted at the entry table.
9. Riders will be registered only in the grade determined by the Handicapper. Applications to change grade WILL NOT be considered on race day. All requests to change grade must be made at least 24 hours prior to a race, in writing or by email.

Note: this information is by no means exhaustive, and may be amended from time to time. If you any questions regarding the conduct of GCC races, racing rules or etiquette, please do not hesitate speak with any of our marshals or race officials.