Reglement: CRAFT BIKE TRANSALP powered by NISSAN 2010, PDF: 90 KB

1. Introduction

1.1 General info
The CBT is a race event specifically and only for ‘teams of two’ and open to mountain bikers of any category, expressly for a broad spectrum of riders ranging from professional racers to ambitious amateurs.

1.2 Prerequisites for participation
Participation in the CBT requires only the submission of your registration (ONLINE or by regular mail), which implies ensuing payment of all race fees and your acknowledgment and acceptance of the terms & conditions of participation and event regulations

Participants have to be at least 18 years of age by the starting day of the CBT. Only participants with a mountain bike can be accredited and join the race. It is not necessary to be a member of a cycling club

Each participant is responsible for ensuring adequate physical and mental aptitude for participation in the event, and if necessary seek medical consultation to ascertain adequate preparedness. Upon request by the race organizer, participants may need to produce a physician’s note certifying adequate fitness to participate in the event.

The race organizers reserve the right to reject the registration of a participant. Please refer to the “Terms & Conditions” regarding other provisions which govern withdrawal or cancellation by the participant or the race organizer.

1.3 Registration
Applicants to the CBT have to register either ONLINE (www.bike-transalp.de) or by mailing a completed and signed registration form to Plan B event company GmbH. The registration form is available as a downloadable PDF-file on the official race web site but can also be found in at least one issue of BIKE magazine.

2. Teams & Prize Money

2.1 General info
Any team can only consist of two participants. Individuals intending to race without a partner can not participate in the event.

2.2 Team categories
The CBT 2010 offers accrediation in the following team categories: Men, Women, Mixed and Masters and Grand Masters. Prerequisite for consideration in the Masters category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 80 and more years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race. Prerequisite for consideration in the Grand Masters category is a cumulative age of both team members that exceeds 100 and more years, whereas the age (in full years) is determined at the first day of the race.

There are no other categories apart from thode mentioned above and specifically no other age class categories.

For safety reasons, teams will only be considered for ranking if they are recorded jointly at the start, all check points along the trail and at the finish. This implies that both team members’ arrival at the check points must be recorded in close proximity from one another, where team members are not any more than two minutes apart from each other. Time records are taken jointly and at that moment in time when the trailing team member also arrives at the control point.
Following the first stage, the leading teams are awarded classification jerseys, which they are required to wear during the subsequent stage. This applies Analogously, this applies to each of the ensuing stages, whereby the jerseys may only be worn by the current leaders in their respective categories .

3. Race Procedures

3.1 General info
The CBT is a race, which follows a specific, predetermined course of action and procedures.
 
3.2 Briefings
Participant briefings will be held each evening (in the context of the pasta party) prior to and every morning immediately before the start of a stage. It is the objective of these briefings to call the participants’ attention to the characteristics and peculiarities of each upcoming stage, in particular danger areas and hazards. Briefings will be held by the race director and participation by all is strongly advised.

3.3 Time measurements
Time is recorded individually for each participant and relies on a personalized transponder system. A transponder is a microelectronic chip, which measures time of a particular participant electronically on every stage. The transponder has to be mounted and carried on the bike according to instruction and on all stages, and needs to be returned after the conclusion of the race at a designated race office. If, for whatever reason, a transponder were to go missing or become defective, the affected participant would receive a substitute but would also be expected to pay for the lost transponder.

3.4 Start procedures
Start positions will be assumed 45 minutes before the official starting time of each stage. On the first day of the race, titleholders, professional racers and VIP racers will be grouped in a starting block ahead of all other participants. Behind this block, the positions of all other racers will be determined by the teams’ starting numbers. On all subsequent stages, race organizers will determine the starting positions according to the teams’ respective overall standing (thus, in the order of their cumulative time).
    
Each start is marked by a single starting signal (i.e. starter gun) at which time-taking commences. In turn, all racers have the same starting time irrespective of their position in the starters’ field. The winner of a stage is the race team that crosses the finish line first, under the provision that no penalties were accrued during the stage. This process also applies in case of a neutralized start. During the neutralization period it is prohibited to pass other racers and, in particular, any pilot vehicles or motorcycles. From the moment of the official start, start logistics are maintained for a total of 10 minutes. Racers that set off late from the start location will commence the stage with an according time handicap. Participants that show up for the start after more than ten minutes will not be admitted to participate in the stage and accordingly would not be considered in that day’s placement.

3.5 Check points along the route
There are up to three check points on each stage, the location of which remains unknown to racers beforehand, but where all teams need to report to jointly to have the bar codes on their numbered bibs scanned and times taken. If a member of a teams was to reach the check point with less than a 2-minute lead over the respective partner, his / her time and arrival will only be recorded once the other member has also reached the check point. A penalty of 60 minutes will be added to a team’s time at the stage finish, for each check points which the team or one member thereof did not report at.

3.6 Finish Procedures
Both members of a team should arrive together at the finish line. It is permissible that a team member has a maximum lead of 2 minutes ahead of his / her partner. However, time measurements will not be taken in this particular case until the arrival of the lagging team member at the finish liner. Analogous to the procedures at the check points, the bar codes on the numbered bibs will be scanned jointly and reported for the calculation of the stage rankings and overall placement.

4. Dropping out

If only one participant decides to withdraw, the race organizer will make an effort to integrate the remaining team member into another team. However, there is no entitlement on part of the participant to be incorporated into a newly formed team, in particular as such ‘amalgamated’ teams could not be considered in the official rankings any longer. The times of such ‘supplemented’ teams would be recorded outside of rankings though which would allow the remaining team member who decided to stay in the race could still become an official finisher of the CBT.

Participants who drop out from the race, are required to return their transponder(s) and the numbered bib(s) to the race director or the race office who will issue a receipt accordingly. The notice of withdrawal from the race and the return of gear can only be conveyed to the race director or directors of the race office in person.

4.2 Premature termination of a stage
There are numerous reasons for a team not to conclude a stage within the officially required maximum time limit: injury, mechanical problems, disorientation, exhaustion, etc. Teams that – for whatever reason – finish a stage only after the official closing of the finish area receive a 60-minute penalty on top of the maximum available race time but only as long as they finish on their MTB and under their own power. Teams that use alternative means of transportation other than their MTB (i.e. motorized behicles, etc), are penalized with an additional 120 minutes above the maximum available race time. In either case, the teams may join the start of the next and remain in the official ranking. .

4.3 No-shows
Disqualification from the official ranking will be the immediate and irrevocable result if a team or a member thereof was to decide not to show up for a stage. In cases of hardship, where participants or teams have an acceptable reason to show up for the start more than 10 minutes late, it is strictly at the discretion of the race director whether the team may still proceed with the start and remain in the official ranking. If only one team member was not in a position to participate, an effort would be made to integrate the other member into another team as previously mentioned (refer to 4.1).

4.4 Finisher
Only participants who have concluded each and every stage and according to all rules and regulations will be considered official ‘finishers’ of the CBT. Anyone or any team who – for whatever reason – is unable to conclude a stage, may remain in the official ranking but will not be deemed a ‘finisher’ of the CBT.

5. Equipment

5.1 Obligation to wear a helmet
Helmets need to be worn at all times during the race! Your helmet is required to meet the recognized safety standard DIN 33954, conform to SNEL and / or ANSI standards and be fitted adequately to your head.

5.2 Clothing and emergency gear
Every participant in the CBT is expected to be equipped in accordance with the requirements of an 8-day traverse of the Alps. Appropriate clothing and foot wear for any type of weather and a First-Aid-kit constitute an absolute minimum in this regard. It is strongly recommended to take along additional tools and spare parts.

5.3 Starting numbers / race bibs
Each participant receives one starting numbers which has to be mounted on the handlebar of his / her bike. The number issued are identical with the official starting number of the racer and have to be worn on each stage and be visible at any time during the race for the purpose of racer identification.

5.4 Race pass
Every participant in the CBT receives a race pass which features the name, the associated team and the starting number. This pass is to be carried at all times during the event as it is required for identification, access to restricted areas, the mess hall and select technical services. Any misuse of the race pass, for instance, to afford unauthorized third persons access to services that are specifically reserved for the participant, will result in the immediate disqualification of the participant.

6. Miscellaneous

6.1 Environmental protection / garbage disposal
The CBT leads through one of the most spectacular and ecologically significant areas of europe. Therefore, the rules for the protection of this unique environment are straightforward: Anyone who improperly disposes of garbage or any other article (incl. water bottles) outside of a check point or food stop will receive a time penalty of 60 minutes. The third penalty of this kind results in disqualification without recourse.  

6.2 Assistance by others
The CBT is a team competition for teams of two participants each. Therefore, you’re prohibited from accepting any help or assistance by third persons – the exception being crashes, injuries or other types of emergencies. Food, drinks, clothing or spare parts may also be accepted during a race stage. It is strictly prohibited though to be pushed or pulled by third persons. Likewise, it is prohibited to be assisted by non-official support vehicles (i.e. team vans) at any time during the race.

6.3 Doping
The race organizers of the CBT distance themselves from anyone who - with the intention of procuring any kind of performance advantage – ingests or otherwise uses in whatever way unlawful substances or stimulants. A reasonably justified suspicion suffices for an immediate disqualification from the CBT in this context. The race organizers expressly reserves the right to perform unexpected and unannounced doping tests.

6.4 Technical service
Partners of the CBT offer technical services and assistance to race participants at both the start and finish areas. Tune-ups, repairs and maintenance jobs are generally free of charge but cleaning is not part of the complimentary services. Any spare parts that are required for repairs will be offered by CBT service partners at regular retail prices.

6.5  Pulling / pushing
While it is allowed for team members to support each other by pushing or pulling manually, it is prohibited -for saftey reasons- to use any kind of device or mechanical aide to do so. There will be repated checks at the start and along each daily stage to ensure your compliance with this regulation.

7. Transalp rules

7.1
The CBT takes place on public roads and trails that are NOT closed off to use by others.  In turn, all riders have to adhere strictly to the applicable rules of the road (traffic rules) of the particular host country – even if they are operating in a race situation.

7.2
The precept of keeping to the right side of the road or trail applies in each of the four countries that the CBT passes through, and whenever in doubt. Under no circumstances should corners ever be cut.

7.3
Slower teams or members thereof have to make way for faster riders, who clearly hold the intention of passing them, especially on steep sections where some may already push their bikes.

7.4
The precept of considerateness, sportsmanship and fairness applies to each and every participant.

7.5
Riders have to operate their bikes within their means and capabilities. All trail and road sections, particularly those with blind corners, have to be ridden with utmost care and prudence. Participants should be prepared for sudden brake maneuvers at any time but especially on downhill sections. Attention: the roads are public and will NOT be closed off specifically for the CBT. Oncoming traffic is not just a possibility but highly probably. Other participants are always to be advised of road and trail hazards.

7.6
In case of injuries or mechanical problems, it is imperative – if at all possible - to get off the trail / road right away and initiate first response or repairs away from (race) traffic.

7.7
In case of a sprint among teams in the finish area, it is prohibited to change lanes.

7.8
Under no circumstances is it allowed to traverse closed rail crossings. 

8. Race directors, jury, protest, penalties und other sanctions

8.1 Race directors
As a matter of principle, it is the responsibility of only the race director(s) and the race commissioners to pass decisions on the race event and any associated course of action.

8.2 Protest
There is a possibility that deliberate or inadvertent violations of rules may be committed by participants but possibly also the organization team during the JBT. If race directors and commissioners can not resolve such issues to the satisfaction of all involved, a protest may be filed by any participant but only on the day on which the breach of rules occurred. In case a protest is filed, bond money in the amount of € 50,00 would have to be deposited with the race organizers and would not be reimbursed if the protest claim was lost.

8.3 Jury
The race organizers will compile a jury to judge over any protest that has been filed. Race participants acknowledge that they accept and comply with any decision reached by the jury and relinquish any assertion to dispute possible claims or entitlements any further.    

8.4 Penalties and other sanctions
It would be impossible and not in anyone’s interest to catalog all conceivable breaches of race rules. Therefore, only a few are listed with the expressed annotation that the race director(s) in consultation with the race organizers may impose penalties for actions and infringements that are not listed specifically in the following.

A penalty in this context will always be a time penalty in the first instance, unless the seriousness of the violation calls for an outright disqualification / exclusion as the only appropriate measure.

The following breaches of regulations will be reprimanded at least with a time penalty: 

• wrongfully assuming a starting position in a privileged starting block
• inconsiderate riding / unfair behavior or actions
• improper disposal of garbage
• taking off a helmet during race activities
• tampering with starting numbers or mounting them in violation of race rules
• being pushed or pulled by others than the team partner
• willfully taking shortcuts

• Deliberately dangerous riding maneuvers especially when they jeopardize others.

Subject to changes and errata.