İnfo Point - Veloturk Gran Fondo Çeşme

PARTICIPATION TERMS AND RULES

General Provisions
1. The rules will be valid during the races and events of the Cappadocia Bike Festival.
2. The rules for the Cappadocia Bike Festival Sportive, Gravel and E-Gravel, MTB, and E-MTB races are as follows.
3. All athletes who register for the Cappadocia Bike Festival races and events are deemed to have accepted all the rules in advance.
Participants
1. Male and female participants who meet at least one of the following conditions have the right to register for the competition.
  1. Possessing an individual or club athlete license issued by the Turkish Cycling, Athletics, Triathlon, Mountaineering, or Orienteering Federations, valid for the relevant year.
  2. Submitting a health report issued within one year before the event date, indicating that they are physically fit to participate in sports and competitions.
  3. Signing the participant declaration and waiver during kit distribution.
2. Athletes must also meet the following criteria to participate in the competition.
  1. Not having received a ban from competitions or a disqualification penalty of at least six months and a total of one year within the last three years from a sports federation disciplinary board or provincial penal board.
  2. Signing a waiver confirming acceptance of the participation conditions determined by the organization and assuming full responsibility for any potential health issues and personal belongings.
Participation Age:
1. Sportive Event - Participants who are 18 years or older can join voluntarily. Participants aged 16-17 may participate only with a parental waiver and if accompanied by a parent during the ride.
2. Gravel & E-Gravel Course - Athletes aged 16-17 may participate in the races with a Parental/Guardian Consent Form. Participants must have turned 16 by the race day.
3. MTB and E-MTB Course - The age groups specified in the race rules may participate in this course.
4. The calendar year is taken as the basis for determining an athlete's age, without considering the month and day. The age category is determined based on the difference between the year of the event and the participant’s birth year.
Race Categories
1. No ranking or classification will be made in the Sportive Event.
2. The age category distribution for Gravel and E-Gravel is as follows.

MEN

Young Men (16-17)
Elite Men (18-34)
Master Men (35-99)

WOMEN

Young Women (16-17)
Elite Women (18-34)
Master Women (35-99)
The age category distribution for MTB XCO and E-MTB XCO is as follows.
1. MEN
  - Young Men (16-17)
  - Elite Men (18-34)
  - Master Men (35-39)
  - Master Men (40-44)
  - Master Men (45-49)
  - Master Men (50-54)
  - Master Men (55-59)
  - Master Men (60-64)
  - Master Men (65+)
  - General Classification
  - PRO Category (General Classification)
2. WOMEN
  - Young Women (16-17)
  - Elite Women (18-34)
  - Master Women (35-39)
  - Master Women (40-44)
  - Master Women (45-49)
  - Master Women (50-54)
  - Master Women (55-59)
  - Master Women (60-64)
  - Master Women (65+)
  - General Classification
  - PRO Category (General Classification)
3. PRO CATEGORY ***Participants who meet the above conditions must notify info@cappadociabikefestival.com via email before the race. If participants are identified by the Organization during the race without prior notification, they will be disqualified.

1. Athletes who have earned UCI points within the last two years (regardless of cycling discipline).

2. Athletes who are part of a national cycling or triathlon team or a UCI-registered cycling team in the event year (regardless of cycling discipline).

PARALYMPIC CATEGORIES

*** To register in the Paralympic category, an email must be sent to info@cappadociabikefestival.com, including the participant's full name and a medical report detailing the disability. The document will be reviewed by the organization’s medical team, and registration will be completed free of charge in the relevant category.

*Athletes with disabilities beyond the Paralympic C category conditions must follow the same registration procedure. After the race doctor’s evaluation, they will be exempt from the registration fee but will be classified under the general classification.

1. Paralympic C - General Classification This category includes athletes who have amputations, limb shortening, functional limb impairments, mild cerebral palsy, or similar conditions but can ride a standard bicycle.

TEAM There is no team ranking.
Race Regulations
1. Bicycles
  1. Participants may join the event with any type of human-powered bicycle such as mountain bikes, city bikes, or cyclocross bikes, as long as they have two wheels of the same diameter and a functional gear and braking system. The organizer and race officials have the authority to prohibit bicycles that pose a safety risk.
  2. Each participant is responsible for the safety of their own bicycle. They must ensure that the brakes and other components are in proper working order.
  3. Athletes found racing with non-compliant bicycles will be disqualified.
  4. Water bottle cages may only be used within the frame geometry.
  5. The use of electric bicycles is only permitted on E-Bike courses.
  6. The following components and equipment are prohibited in the race.

1. Triathlon handlebars and aero bars

2. Single-speed and fixie bikes

3. Hand bikes

4. Any bicycle with a carrier

5. The use of headphones, MP3 players, or similar devices is prohibited.

Jerseys
1. Participants are free to wear any cycling jersey or bib shorts, except in cases where the organization requires a specific uniform.
2. Participants cannot wear jerseys, bicycles, helmets, or shoes (or any variations of these designs) that belong to a World Champion, Continental Champion, or any national team.
3. Clothing and equipment with political, religious, discriminatory symbols, slogans, or designs are not allowed.
Equipment
1. Helmet All participants must wear a helmet that meets DIN 33954, SNEL, and/or ANSI safety standards. Athletes must wear their helmets not only during the race but at all times while riding their bicycles during the event.
2. Back Number The back number must be worn on the lower back of the cycling jersey and must be visible on both sides.
3. Bicycle Number Plate The bicycle number plate must be attached to the seat post under the saddle.
Nutrition During the Race
1. There will be a minimum number of feeding zones on the courses as specified in the Cycling Federation regulations. A sign indicating the presence of a feeding zone will be placed 1 km before it.
2. Athletes can use the feeding stations by stopping to receive service.
3. Receiving food or beverages from support vehicles is prohibited. This rule can only be changed by the Race Committee due to weather conditions and will be announced during the technical meeting the day before the race.
4. Riders cannot receive food or beverages from spectators or their own support teams along the course.
Facilities
1. There will be separate changing cabins for men and women in the start and finish areas.
2. There will be a designated area at the start/finish zone where participants can drop off and retrieve their personal belongings (Dropbag service).
Course Safety and First Aid Measures
1. During the race, there will be at least one ambulance at the finish area and a minimum number of ambulances as specified by the Cycling Federation regulations.
2. A motorized security team will ensure road safety, traffic control, and athlete protection during the Sportive Event.
3. On the road cycling course, there will be at least one lead vehicle moving ahead of the race and a sweep vehicle following the last participant.
4. Paramedic health personnel will be stationed at the feeding zones.
Mechanical Issues
1. The Organization will not provide mechanical support during the race. Athletes are expected to resolve their technical problems on their own.
2. Participants are allowed to exchange tools, equipment, and spare parts among themselves. However, wheel and bicycle exchanges are strictly prohibited.
3. All repair operations must be carried out on the right side of the road without endangering other racers. If there is a sidewalk on the right side, it may also be used.
4. Participants who cannot continue due to irreparable mechanical issues must wait safely on the side of the road for the sweep vehicle, which will transport them to the finish area.
Timing Chip
1. The finishing time of each individual participant will be measured electronically using a chip.
2. Athletes must properly attach the electronic chip provided with their race number plate to their bicycle, following the usage instructions.
3. The race start time for each participant will be the official start time of the event.
Personal Support Vehicles and Assistance from Third Parties
1. Personal or team support vehicles are not allowed on the race course.
2. Technical assistance or food supply from media vehicles or non-official event vehicles is prohibited.
3. External assistance is only permitted in case of health issues or accidents.
Checkpoint Cut-Off Times and Sweep Vehicle
1. Checkpoint cut-off times will be monitored by the Race Committee. Due to traffic control and safety measures, the committee has the right to remove participants who fall significantly behind or fail to reach the next checkpoint within the pre-determined cut-off time.
2. If an athlete fails to meet the cut-off time due to mechanical, health, or other reasons, they must leave the race and board the "athlete collection vehicle" upon the race organization’s request.
3. Participants must comply with the instructions of the referees and sweep vehicle officials.
4. Athletes who finish beyond the time limit will be disqualified. Their times will be recorded, but they will not be ranked.
Withdrawal or Pausing the Race
1. If a participant needs to withdraw due to mechanical issues, health conditions, etc., they must raise their right arm to signal other competitors and pull over safely. They should then wait on the right side of the road and indicate their need for assistance by raising their right arm.
2. Leaving the racecourse is grounds for disqualification, even if the athlete later returns to the course. Official feeding stations are considered part of the course.
General Riding Rules
1. Participants must not obstruct, block, or force other competitors off the road. Physical contact should be avoided as much as possible. Any intentional pulling or pushing of another athlete for individual or mutual advantage will result in penalties. Similarly, sudden stopping, lane changes, or unnecessary stopping at the start will also be penalized.
2. Holding onto or drafting behind motor vehicles is prohibited, even when rejoining the race after a crash or mechanical stop.
3. Exchanging food and drinks among competitors is allowed.
4. Discarding trash, empty bottles, or any waste on the course is prohibited. Violators will be penalized. All waste must be disposed of in designated bins at feeding zones or the finish line.
Results and Awards
1. Overall individual results are divided into "Women" and "Men". Two separate rankings – "Overall Women's Ranking" and "Overall Men's Ranking" – will be published.
2. Athletes who place in the overall classification cannot also be awarded on the podium in their respective age group rankings.
3. Participants who finish the race within the specified time limit (cut-off) will receive a finishing medal.
4. At the awards ceremony, medals will be awarded to the top three athletes in each race category.
5. At the awards ceremony, female and male athletes who place in the same age category will take the podium together.
Penalties for Rule Violations
1. General
  1. Penalties for violations are imposed solely by the race committee.
  2. Penalties are specified in Section 7.2 and will be applied without exception.
  3. The race committee is also authorized to impose penalties for violations not listed below. Appropriate penalties will be determined by the committee.
2. Penalty List For the safety of the organization and the participants, the following penalty measures will be applied, and participants will be disqualified if the respective violations are detected during the race:
  1. Entering under a false name to deceive the organizer: Disqualification from races for 3 years.
  2. Transferring race documents to another person: Disqualification from races for 3 years.
  3. Participating in the race using someone else's race chip: Disqualification from races for 3 years.
  4. Using an old or incorrect race number: Disqualification from races for 3 years.
  5. Engaging in fights or using profanity with other participants or individuals: Disqualification from races for 1 to 3 years.
  6. Deliberately dangerous riding: Disqualification from races for 1 year.
  7. Taking shortcuts or deviating from the race course: Disqualification from races for 1 year.
  8. Racing with a bicycle that does not comply with the rules: Disqualification from races for 1 year.
  9. Racing without a helmet or removing your helmet during the race: Disqualification from races for 1 year.
  10. Not having the race number and timing chip: Disqualification from races for 1 year.
  11. Deliberately providing false age information: Disqualification from races for 1 year. (If registration fees have been paid with a false declaration, no refund will be given.)
  12. Participants who are included in the race without having gone through the organization's control and without signing the Waiver, and who may jeopardize the health of the athletes participating in the event, will be reported to security forces and a formal complaint will be filed against them upon detection.
3. Recording of Rule Violations and Appeals
  1. The race committee will record rule violations during the race.
  2. Violations will be recorded and stored using the "Violation List" form.
  3. Participants will report any rule violations they witness and any appeals regarding their own race times by completing the "Appeal Form" available at the race office and attaching any relevant evidence. At the end of the race, the organization committee will review the appeals and notify the concerned parties of the decision.
Use of Visual Material Registered participants are deemed to have given permission for the photographs and videos taken during the event to be used by the organization for promotional purposes and to be shared with sponsors and the press.
Waiver Participants who have voluntarily registered for the Cappadocia Bike Festival are deemed to have accepted the race rules and any changes that may be made to these rules. The organization shall not be held responsible for any material or moral damages or injuries incurred by the participants.

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