Regulations

 

Epic Israel Technical Guide 2024 

A. PREAMBLE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE RULES 

1. Preamble

1.1. Epic Israel (“the race”) is a 2-person team mountain bike SHC stage race which has been accredited as a XCO event by the Union Cyclist International (“UCI”). Teams have to race together for the entire distance of the race, looking after each other and their equipment  

2. Structure and applicability of the Rules

2.1. The rules of the race (“the rules”) are divided into two categories, namely those which are applicable to all riders (set out in section B below), and additional rules which are applicable only to UCI elite category riders (set out in section C below).
2.2. A failure to comply with any of the rules will result in a penalty, which could include a rider’s disqualification in certain circumstances.
2.3. The interpretation of any rule by the President of the Commissaries' Panel (“the commissar”) and the race organizers (acting jointly) will be final and binding on all race participants.
2.4. Should there be any inconsistency between a general rule set out in section B and a rule applicable to UCI elite category riders set out in section C, the rule set out in section C will apply to UCI elite category riders to the exclusion of the rule in section B.
2.5. The rules may be updated and amended from time to time. The version of the rules which are in force on the start date of the race in any year shall remain applicable to that staging of the race.

3. Definitions  
For purposes of the rules, the following terms shall have the meanings set out below  

3.1. “blue board rider” – members of a team who have failed to complete any stage within the maximum stage time, but are allowed to continue the race in terms of rule 16.
3.2. “Commissar” means the official race commissar appointed by the UCI.
3.3. “Maximum stage time” – the maximum number of hours allowed to officially complete any stage as determined by the race organizers from time to time.
3.4. “Outcast rider” – a UCI elite category rider whose original team is no longer officially competing in the race, but who thereafter continues to participate in the race, as set out in rule29.8.
3.5. “podium contender” – a rider in a team which, at the beginning of any stage, is in the top 5 positions in the relevant category or whose total time is not more than one hour off the total time of the 3rd placed team in the relevant category at the beginning of such stage.  
3.6. “Rider separation” means the maximum allowable time separation between team members at any time during the race, namely 2 minutes.
3.7. “UCI elite category rider” means a rider who must be in possession of a valid and current international UCI elite or U23 racing license.

B. GENERAL RULES (APPLICABLE TO ALL RIDERS)   

4. Riders  

4.1.    The minimum age of participation is 18 years on the date which the race takes place (18/9/2024).
4.2.    There are 5 riding categories for teams namely: Men, Women, mixed, Men masters and Grand Masters and Women Masters ( The last ategory will open with minimum 7 teams)
4.3.    To start in (i) the Masters category, both riders must be 40 years or older and (ii) the Grand Masters category, both riders must be 50 years or older, respectively, on 31 December of the year in which the race takes place.

4.4      All riders must sign liability disclaimer in order to participate. 

4.5 Quartet relay - new amateur race:

A group of 4 riders is comprised of 2 teams (2 riders in each team).
During the event you can't switch between the teams/riders.

Every day, team 1 starts from the race village and rides half of the distance.  Team 2 waits at the changing area, and rides the second part of the stage to the race village.
The same rules that apply to the team in the full race, applies on the team in the quartet relay.
The time limit of the quartet in any given stage is the same as the time limit for the full .
If there is time limit during the stage (Feed zone 2) it applies to the 1st team.
The 2 riders of team 1 must ride over the checkpoint of the changing area before team 2 can start.
The team time is set by the 2nd rider in each team.
Any change between riders , whether in case of injury or a rider that needs to stop for any reason, must be in coordination with the commissaires and the production.
In a case of an injury or a rider that needs to stop the race, the rider taking his place will ride the full stage OR the riders that is left will finish individually.
It is team 2 responsibility to get to the changing area and be ready to relay once team 1 passes the checkpoint.
It is team1 responsibility to get back to the race village..
The production will not supply transportation.
Team 1 is not allowed to continue riding beyond the changing area after changing with team 2.

Categories of the quartet relay:

Men - all the riders of the group are men

Women - all the riders of the group are women

Mixed - a mixed group of men and women,

There will be no age categories.

 

5. UCI Points Ranking

5.1. The men and ladies' categories are UCI licensed races. Teams in the men or ladies' category that wish to compete for prize money and that would like their race results to contribute to their riders’ accumulated UCI point ranking must register as UCI elite category riders during online registration, at which time they must provide their UCI international racing license numbers.
5.2. Teams in the men or ladies' category which register as UCI elite category riders will be subject to the additional rules set out in section C.
5.3. Teams in the men or ladies' category which do not register as UCI elite category riders will not qualify for prize money and their race results will not accumulate UCI points. 

6. Medical  

6.1. Riders will only have their entries confirmed after the race organizers of "Epic Israel" receive a valid Exercise test signed by a sport medicine doctor verifying the rider’s health status to compete in an endurance race of this nature.
6.2. Riders must ensure that they are in good health and well trained.  
6.3. The race organizers reserve the right to prevent a rider from continuing the race on receipt of medical advice from an official race medic or any other medical doctor recognized by the race organizers - the decision of the race organizers in this regard shall be final.  

7. Bicycles

7.1. Only mountain bikes in good working order and race ready at the start of each stage will be allowed to start that stage.
7.2. For purposes of rule 7.1, “race ready” means the following:
        7.2.1. The front number board is securely fitted and visible from the front.
        7.2.2. The frame marking is displayed as per instructions received at registration and the transponder is attached properly.
        7.2.3. The bike is in safe working order, as determined at the discretion of the commissar.
        7.2.4. Handlebar ends and handlebar extensions shall be plugged and must not have sharp or jagged edges. The use of tri- bars and bladed wheels is not allowed.
        7.2.5. Bicycles may be propelled only, through a chain set, by the rider’s leg action without any form of assistance (electrical or otherwise)
7.3. Tandem bikes complying with the requirements set out in rules 7.1 and 7.2 above are allowed.
7.4. Each rider is responsible for the maintenance of his/her own bike for the duration of the race.
7.5. In all cases of maintenance and repair, riders are required to complete the full distance of the stage and must complete the stage within the maximum stage time. Time spent on maintenance and repair will thus not entitle a rider to any extension of the maximum stage time.

8. Helmets and Clothing

8.1. Each rider must wear a helmet at all times while riding during the race.
8.2. All helmets must comply with international ‘ANSI’ standards.
8.3. Appropriate riding attire, including a shirt, must be worn at all times.
8.4. Both team members must ride in identical cycling jerseys at all times.
8.5. No rider may wear any original or replica version of a leader jersey contemplated in rule 10.6 and/or any outcast jersey contemplated in rule 29.8, including any such jersey from a previous staging of the race.
8.6. No rider may display or reproduce the official event logo or any derivative thereof on any riding attire and/or team clothing without the written approval of the race organizers, which should be obtained prior to any such riding attire or team clothing being manufactured.

9. Team Riding

9.1. Riders must ride with their team partner at all times, and must remain within the maximum allowable separation time, namely 2 minutes.
9.2. Rider separation may be measured at the start and finish of each stage and at various designated check points during the stage, but can also be enforced at any point during the race.
9.3. Rider separation may be measured more than once during any stage, and penalties (as set out in section D below) may be applied to each occurrence of rider separation outside the allowable limit during a stage.
9.4. Any rider may receive physical assistance from his/her team partner or from a fellow competitor. For purposes hereof, “physical assistance” shall mean the sharing of water and nutrition, sharing of bike parts and accessories (including the swopping of bike frames), assistance with maintenance and repair, and pushing/towing by physical contact only.
9.5. Podium contenders may not accept physical assistance from an outcast rider.
9.6. No towing between riders by means of any mechanical or physical devices is allowed.
9.7. A rider is allowed to “double back” on the route at any time in order to rejoin his/her team mate or in order to reach the nearest tech support zone (if applicable), provided that he/she shall not endanger any other rider in doing so.
9.8 Rider who fail to maintain 2 minutes gap:
9.8.1 A gap between 2-10 minutes, At the first time - the riders will get the time of the last riders in their category at the stage. The second time - the riders will be disqualified, they will get a blue number and will be allowd to continue riding but won't become finishers of Epic Israel.
9.8.2 A gap above 10 minutes will force an immediate disqualification, they will get a blue number and will be allowd to continue riding but won't become finishers of Epic Israel

 

10. Rider Identification

10.1. Both riders in a team must display their race numbers at all times.
10.2. Bike numbers must remain firmly fixed on the front of the bike, and may not be obscured by cables or any other item.
10.3. Back numbers must be attached to the rider at all times in a visible position either on the rider’s jersey or on the back of his/her hydration pack. A Rider will not be penalized if his/her number is obscured while wearing a rain jacket.
10.4. Race numbers may not be modified or mutilated in any way, including cutting, adding stickers, removing existing stickers or trimming.
10.5. No official Epic Israel sponsor logos may be removed from race numbers and/or be obscured in any way.
10.6. Race and category leaders are obliged to wear the leader jerseys supplied by the race organizers.
10.7. Podium finishers and overall category leaders must be present at the finish line awards ceremony (if applicable) and the daily awards ceremony at the rider dining marquee, including the final ceremony.

11. Stage Starts

11.1. The start chute opens 45 minutes before the start of each stage, unless communicated otherwise.
11.2. Differential start zones will be allocated according to overall ranking in the race, and the organizers may allocate different (i.e. “staggered”) start times for each starting zone. Should staggered start times be allocated, any reference to start times in these rules will be to the start time applicable to the particular rider’s start zone.
11.3. The leading 10 teams in the men category GC as well as the overall leaders in each of the other categories (category leader jerseys) will be called up. Teams are obliged to assemble in the start paddock immediately next to the start line no later than 10 minutes before the start.
11.4. The seeded starting zones will close strictly 10 minutes before their start time. Teams arriving late must start at the back of the field.
11.5. Riders must enter the start zone as a team with their bikes, and once entered must remain in the start zone with their bikes.

12. Route and Stages

12.1. Riders must complete the full designated route and distance of all stages, including the time trial and/or prologue.
12.2. Only riders who complete each of the stages within the maximum stage time will qualify as official race finishers.
12.3. The actual race distance or route may vary from the published or briefed distance.
12.4. A rider must at all times follow the official route, obey the directions of the course marshals, and may not take any shortcuts or take other advantage of a similar nature against competitors. The responsibility for following the official route lies with each rider.
12.5. Riders who exit the route for any reason must return to the course at the same point from which they exited.
12.6. Any walking, running or riding by a rider, which is carried out without the intention of directly re-joining the route, or any other activity in breach of the rules, which takes place outside of the marked course area, is not permitted.
12.7. No rider shall trespass at any time of the year on land which is not open to the public for mountain biking and which forms part of the race route of any edition of the race.

13. Prologue
 

13.1 The Race features a prologue. 

Unless otherwise set out in the Rules, each Rule that applies to any

“stage” of the Race will apply equally to the prologue.

13.2 Participation in the prologue is compulsory for all teams.

13.3 Results Count. A team’s time in the prologue counts towards the team’s overall time and overall ranking.

13.4 Start Times.

13.5 Each team will receive a pre-allocated start time for the prologue. It is each rider’s

responsibility to know his/her start time. The start times will be advertised via

the Race website.

13.6 Riders must report at the entrance to the start queue at least 15 minutes before the allocated start time for the prologue.

13.7 If a team misses its prologue start time, it will be allowed to start at the discretion of the Race Jury but the team’s time for the time trial/prologue will be measured from the team’s originally allocated start time.

13.8  Maximum Time. The Maximum Stage Time for the prologue will be measured individually for each team, commencing at the team’s actual start time

14. Prohibited Equipment

14.1. The race organizers may at any time prohibit items of equipment (other than essential cycling equipment) in their discretion and riders shall at all times comply with any such prohibition.

15. Race Timing 

15.1. Only team times will be advertised, but individual rider times will be recorded for purposes of measuring rider separation.
15.2. The team time is determined as the time at which the second team member passes the stage finish line.
15.3. No rider may carry more than 1 transponder at any time, and no rider may pass his/her transponder on to anyone else at any time.
15.4. Timing will start with the start time each morning (see rule 11.2).
15.5. The start line will remain open for 15 minutes after the start time.
15.6. Any rider who cannot make his/her start time must report to the commissaire within 15 minutes of the start time to request approval for a late start.
15.7. No rider is allowed to start late without approval. If no approval for a late start has been given, the rider will be considered a DNS (did not start), hence receive no stage result and will automatically be classified as a blue board rider.
15.8. Any rider who does not start a stage at all will automatically be qualified as a blue board rider.
15.9. The maximum stage time will not be adjusted for any rider who is permitted a late start and/or who started in a start zone with a later start time than his / her own.

16. Maximum Stage Times

16.1. The Maximum stage times are determined according to the length of each stage and the terrain to be covered. Maximum stage times will be announced and posted at the start of the event, but may be varied by the race organizers at their discretion, subject to Rule 16.2. Any variations will be communicated to riders at the stage briefing on the night before the relevant stage.
16.2. The maximum stage time allowed for each stage of the race will be the greater of the maximum stage time advertised and 2x the winning time (i.e. if the winning time is more than half of the maximum stage time communicated at the race briefing, the maximum stage time allowed will automatically be adjusted to 2x the winning time). If applicable, the adjusted maximum stage time will be signposted at the final water point on the stage once the winners have crossed the finish line.
16.3. Riders may cross the finish line on foot provided that they have their bikes with them.
16.4. The race organizers may designate intermediate cut-off points which must be reached within specific times on each stage. Any teams which fail, or will in the sole opinion of the race organizers and commissaries be unable, to reach intermediate cut-off points will be prevented from continuing to ride, be swept from the course and classified as DNF (did not finish) for that stage.
16.5. The race organizers may at any time impose additional cut-off points due to safety reasons. The provisions of rule 15.4 will apply to riders who have not yet reached the designated cut-off point within the allocated time or, in the sole opinion of the race organizers and commissaries, will not reasonably be able to do so. Any rider not able to complete a stage will be transported to the stage finish.
16.6. If a rider cannot continue the race for whatever reason, all effort will be made to transport such riders and their bikes to the race finish at their own cost.

17. Blue Board Rider

17.1. Any rider who does not complete a stage within the maximum stage time for the first time will be classified as a blue board rider.
17.2. Blue board riders will be entitled to continue the race (i.e. they may start the following stage), but will not be classified as official race finishers.
17.3. Should any blue board rider again fail to finish a stage within the maximum stage time or fail to start a stage in compliance with rule 14, he or she will not be allowed to continue the race (i.e. he/she will not be allowed to start the next stage).

18. Abandoning of a Stage

18.1. The race organizers may abandon any stage at any time in their discretion due to safety concerns or any other reason which they consider appropriate. Should any stage be abandoned, the remaining provisions of this rule 17 shall apply.
18.2. Should the first 3 teams in each category have completed the stage prior to the time at which it is abandoned, the stage will be classified as an official stage of the race and count towards the overall results.  Should less than 3 teams have finished in any category at the time of abandonment, the stage will not constitute an official stage and will be disregarded for purposes of the overall results.
18.3. Where an abandoned stage will count towards the overall results, riders who are on the course at the time of abandoning the stage will be allocated a stage time based on a percentage of the category winner’s time.  
18.4. Any rider who withdraws from a stage before it is officially abandoned or who does not reach the designated cut-off point for abandoning the stage will be classified as a DNF in accordance with rule 15.3.

19. Traffic Regulations

19.1. The race does not always have exclusive use of any public or private roads during the race.
19.2. All regular traffic regulations must be observed at all times during the race.
19.3. Instructions of marshals must be strictly adhered to.

20. Checkpoints

20.1. There will be checkpoints on each stage, during which rider separation rules will be enforced.
20.2. Teams that are not detected when passing the checkpoints may be disqualified.
20.3. The location of the checkpoints will not be published, and hidden checkpoints are not excluded.

21. Registration and Briefing

21.1. Race registration takes place at the venue and at the time and place indicated on the race website.
21.2. Riders must report to registration as a team and bring any form of ID with a photograph on it and their valid license from their national federation
21.3. All riders must have registered by the cut-off time indicated on the race website on the day preceding the first stage of the race (or prologue, if applicable). No category changes will be permitted after race registration closes.
21.4. A pre-race briefing will take place at the time and place indicated on the race website.

22. Nutrition and Hydration

22.1. The Epic Israel passes through very dry and very areas. Riders retain the ultimate responsibility to carry enough water and nutrition with them.
22.2. The Epic Israel race organizers will provide water at official water points on the route, which is intended for drinking purposes only. No excessive use of water for any other purpose will be permitted at official water points.

23. Seconding and Outside Support

23.1. No seconding or outside assistance is permitted under any circumstances. For purposes hereof, “outside assistance” includes physical assistance (as defined in rule 9.4) by any person other than a fellow competitor or accredited water point staff at official water points on the route.
23.2. Drafting is allowed between riders, their team partners and fellow competitors, but no rider may draft behind an outcast rider or any person who is not a participant in the race.
23.3. No other form of drafting is permitted whatsoever, including but not limited to drafting behind private vehicles, motor cycles, trucks and official race vehicles.
23.4. Specific escort or seconding vehicles not provided by the race organizers are not permitted to follow the race route. However, supporters may drive their own vehicles along public roads to reach vantage points to vocally support riders. Some sections of the course will be closed to all non-event traffic – including some public roads. Their closure must be respected by all.
23.5. No rider and/or team supporter may access any restricted and/or prohibited area in the race village.

24. Medical and Technical Assistance

24.1. Medical assistance will be supplied by the race organizers at all official water points.
24.2. Technical assistance may be provided for riders at neutral tech support zones along the route, and riders will be informed on the race website should this be available during any edition of the race. Riders will be required to carry credit cards with them in order to pay for any spare parts received.

25. Withdrawals

25.1. Teams or riders that cannot continue the race for whatever reason must immediately inform the race office. This can be done at the race start, the finish, or water points or by calling the Epic Israel emergency hotline.  The phone number will be on the participant number plate.
25.2. Should any rider or team fail to inform the race office of his/her/its withdrawal, and should a search and rescue operation be initiated for such rider or team, the cost of the search and rescue will be for the account of that rider or team.
25.3. Should any member of a team be incapable of finishing the race, his or her team partner will be entitled to continue riding in the race and may qualify as a finisher, but will not qualify for any rankings. Individual riders will be seeded according to their overall race time, but the highest obtainable seeding is start zone C.

26. Environmental and Ethical
Riders must respect the environment at all times, and no littering or damage to the environment will be tolerated. In particular, but without limiting the generality of this rule, the following actions are specifically prohibited.

26.1. Throwing away of water bottles, packaging or bike spares.
26.2. Deviating from the route.
26.3. Smoking at any point on the route is not permitted.

27. Protests

27.1. Any protests must be submitted to the commissar after the rider has crossed the finish line, within the allocated time period set out below.
27.2. A deposit of 500ns must accompany any protest, before the protest will be considered.
27.3. If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If the protest is not upheld, the deposit will be forfeited and donated.
27.4. Race protests must be submitted within 2 hours of the rider crossing the finish line.
27.5. Result protests must be submitted within 2 hours of posting of preliminary results for the relevant stage.

28. Doping

28.1. The race organizers reserve the right to test all riders for doping and/or the use of any illegal substances.
28.2. All test results will be forwarded to national cycling federations, and positive results will lead to penalties.
28.3. Any person who is under provisional or final sanction by an Anti-Doping Organization with jurisdiction under the WADA Code (a “person under sanction”) is prohibited from participating or being involved in the race, whether as a rider, team manager or official or in any other capacity whatsoever. Where any such sanction has been made final for an offence committed after 31 December 2012, such prohibition shall apply for the life of the person.
28.4. Should the race organizers only become aware that any rider, team manager or official is a person under sanction after having accepted such rider’s entry and/or team manager or official’s participation in the race, such entry or right of participation shall immediately be cancelled.

29. Code of Conduct

All riders are expected to display good sportsmanship at all times, and must not use offensive or abusive language during the race, act in an unsporting manner, be disrespectful to the officials, or ignore the race regulations.   

C. ADDITIONAL RULES APPLICABLE TO UCI ELITE CATEGORY RIDERS

30. General Rules which do not apply to UCI elite Category Riders

30.1. The following rules set out in Part B do not apply to UCI elite category riders: 3.1 (blue board riders); 6.1 (medical certificate); 7.4 (tandem bikes) 8.4 (identical clothing – this exclusion is limited to a rider contemplated in rule 30.3 below);16 (blue board riders);

31. Rider and Team Requirements

31.1. All UCI elite category riders must produce a current and valid international UCI elite license at race registration. National licenses or any other license issued by any federation is not acceptable to compete in this category.
31.2. All UCI elite category riders must wear identical kit (jerseys and shorts) during each day of the race (i.e. different colors and logos may not be worn on different days). No sleeveless jerseys are permitted. Teams may consist of riders who are not members of the same UCI-registered team, but riders in the men category must (subject to rule 31.3 below) wear identical kit at all times.
31.3. Any UCI elite category rider who is a current world or national or continental champion in the UCI XCO elite category will be required to wear his world or national champion jersey at all times, unless required to wear a category leader’s jersey.
31.4. Any UCI elite category rider who does not complete a stage within the maximum stage time will not be allowed to continue the race (i.e. he will not be allowed to start the next stage). Blue number boards (as defined under 17) do not apply.
31.5. Any UCI elite category rider whose partner is no longer participating in the race for any reason shall be allowed to continue as an outcast rider.
31.6. All outcast riders shall be entitled to start each stage with the other UCI elite category riders, but may not take an active part in the race and/or provide physical assistance (as defined under 9.4) to any other UCI elite rider or podium contender.
31.7. UCI elite category riders may not receive physical assistance from an outcast rider.
31.8. Time bonuses may be awarded on selected stages, and will be applied to overall results.

32. Bicycles and Technical Support

32.1. The race organizers will provide designated tech support zones for the exclusive use of UCI pro-elite category riders on each stage. The number and location of these designated zones will be published.
32.2. Each team will be allowed to check in 1 wheel set (in a bag to be provided by the team itself) and 1 equipment box (to be supplied by the race organizers) per tech support zone, each of which must be clearly labelled as directed by the race organizers. Riders will be entitled to place any item of their choice in the equipment box.
32.3. The tech support zone will be a self-service station, and UCI elite category riders will not be allowed to accept any assistance from outside parties (including their support crew) in the zone. UCI elite category riders are allowed to make use of the neutral tech support zones as set out in rule 23.2.
32.4. Equipment checked in for a specific tech support zone will be transported to that tech zone only and cannot be moved to any other tech support zone during the stage.
32.5. No rider may use the equipment of any other team deposited at a tech support zone without the consent of that other team given at the tech zone at the time.
32.6. Teams wishing to share their equipment deposited at the tech support zones with any other team must declare this in writing to the race organizer before the start of the race. The agreement must be reciprocal.
32.7. Each tech support zone will remain open until the first 50 teams on overall GC which have deposited equipment at a specific tech support zone have passed through that zone. The zone will also remain open for the first 5 ladies teams and all other UCI elite ladies teams within one hour behind the 5th ladies team on overall GC who have deposited equipment at the relevant zone (should these teams not be within the first 50 teams on overall GC). UCI elite category riders are entitled to utilize the neutral support zone (if any) provided to non-UCI riders.
32.8. The race organizers will communicate the check-in time for wheel sets and equipment boxes to UCI elite category riders in the UCI rider booklet. Check-in of these items will not be allowed outside the advertised hours.
32.9. UCI elite category riders are entitled to accept physical and technical assistance (including replacement bike parts/frame) from other riders, including non-UCI pro-elite category riders but excluding outcast riders.  

      

Cancelation and changing policy

      • If a confirmed team entry wishes to cancel their registration for whatever reason before 30/5/2024 (a month prior to the date of closing of registration) 90% of registration fee will be refunded*. (If the team can be replaced).
Between a month prior to the date of closing of registration (1/5/2024) and 14/7/2024 50% of registration fee will be refunded*
Between 15/7/2024 -15/8/2024  90% of registration fee will be refunded.*
No refund will be given after the 15/8/2024*
* Cancellations and refunds are only accepted if the organizers can fill the spot with a team off the waiting list regardless of the date.     
• To avoid the cancellation penalties, a team should arrange for a new team to take their entry, and only pay the rider change fee (see below).
• We are not obliged to refund optional extras, and we will only refund them when a team withdraws and we are able to sell the optional extra to another team. A 15% cancellation fee is applied to all optional extra refunds.
• The riders within a team can be changed after registration.
One rider changing fee: 100 NIS. 
Team changing fee (2 riders): 200 NIS.

No changes in riders/ details/ categories will be done after the 8/9/2024

Any change in registration will have a fee of 25NIS

Good luck to all!!