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.