2011 Tour of Anchorage Rules

 

Stage Race Format - The Tour of Anchorage is held in stage race format. Riders who have registered for the entire series must complete each stage in order to advance to the next stage. A rider who is not able to complete a stage due to mechanical or similar mishap will be given a prorated time for that stage, and allowed to advance to the next stage. A rider who choses not to continue and simply "drops out" of a stage may be allowed to start the next stage, but will no longer be counted in the General Classification.

 

Pack Riding - As with all ABC races, riders can draft with anyone in the "group" that they start with, even if they are in different "categories."  If ceratin categories are small, we may combine categories to make for a practical and fun race. Several categories may be combined into one larger group at the start of a race.  Even though you will be scored separately within your category, you can still draft off anyone in the group you start with.  You cannot draft off another group that you did not start with. For the TOA, most categories will start separately.  If this is the case, you can ONLY draft with the category you start with.

 

Support Vehicles – No support vehicles on the courses at any time.  This means no cars following racers supporting them with wheels, splits, food items etc.  We've had some dangerous situations in the past when well-intentioned supporters inadvertently get in the way of racers and other motorists. Riders should be prepared to deal with mechanical mishaps on their own.

 

Aero Bars – Aero bars are NOT allowed in any races, except for the Time Trial stages.

 

Helmets – Helmets must be worn in all events, including warm-up and cool-down (except when riding on a stationary trainer). Failure to wear a helmet will be grounds for immediate disqualification.

 

Timing – Please assist the race directors by calling out your bib number when crossing the finish line.  In the road race and circuit race, please try and pay attention to who is immediately around you, and stick around afterwards to assist the race directors with details of your finish.

 

MANDATORY Racers' Meetings – Mandatory racers' meetings will take place approximately 10-15 minutes prior to each race start, located close to the registration area.  Please be prompt so all races may start on time.  Rules will be discussed in detail regarding the specific event.  It is your responsibility to know and understand all race rules.

 

Results – Results will be posted as soon as possible after the conclusion of each event and posted near the registration area.  Results will also be posted at the next day’s event for the prior day’s race. Protests must be made prior to the start of the next stage.

 

Volunteers – It takes a lot of good volunteers (including the ABC Board of Directors) to make these events a success.  Please take time to thank them and share with them any suggestions or ideas you may have to make these events more successful.

 

Race Divisions – The men's and women's divisions will consist of Expert, Master (40+), Master (55+), Sport, Beginner, and Junior categories.  Some categories may race together, but will be scored separately.

 

Free Lap Rule – Riders shall normally cover the entire distance of a race, regardless of mishaps, and must
make up any distance lost on their own ability, unless a free lap is granted for mishaps according to the following provisions:
1. Free laps shall be granted only in the Stage 5 Martin Luther King Blvd Circuit Race.
2. One free lap may be granted for each given mishap. Consecutive free laps shall not be permitted.
3. Free laps shall not be permitted within the last 3 laps of a race.
4. In order to be granted a free lap, a rider must report to a designated pit area, which will be identified prior to the race. To access the pit area, a rider may continue riding forward on the course, cut the course, and/or dismount and proceed on foot backward on the course. At no time shall a rider ride backward on the course.
5. There shall be a race official stationed in the pit area to determine if a rider’s mishap is legitimate, and if the rider is entitled to a free lap. If it is determined that the rider is not eligible for a free lap, the rider must make up any distance lost. The pit official shall keep a written record, when practical, of each rider who
attempts to take a free lap, including the rider’s name, race number, description of the mishap, and other relevant information. Failure to record this information shall not prevent the race director from taking action against the rider as circumstances permit.
6. As an alternative to the preceding provision, the race director may elect not to place an official in the pit area, and instead may require riders to observe the honor system. If no official is present in the pit area to determine the legitimacy of a mishap, a rider who continues in the race after a free lap may be subject to a time penalty, relegation, or disqualification if subsequent information is verified that establishes that the mishap was not legitimate, or that the rider violated any other provision of this rule.
7. A rider who is granted a free lap shall return to the race in the position held at the time of the mishap. A rider who was in a group shall return to the rear of the same group. Rolling starts shall not be permitted.
8. If a rider is not able to rejoin the race within one lap, the rider may rejoin the race with any group after the free lap, except that the rider is not permitted to rejoin and assist with a breakaway group. The rider shall finish on the same lap as the other riders, and shall be given the time of the last finisher plus 30 seconds.