Dear Participants of the CRAFT BIKE TRANSALP 2010,

Start and start operations

• Time of start
  The start is usually scheduled for 09:00 am.
  
  
• Starting blocks
  
  Team positions within the different starting blocks will be determined by the starting number on the day of the first stage. As of the second stage, starting positions will be established by the teams’ respective rankings and according to the following key:
  
  

  Starting block A:

  Men Master Grand Master Mixed Women

  overall rank 1 - 75 overall rank 1 - 50 overall rank 1 - 25 overall rank 1 - 15 overall rank 1 - 10

  Starting block B:

  Men Master Grand Master Mixed Women

  overall rank 76 - 175 overall rank 51 - 100 overall rank 26 - 50 overall rank 16 - open overall rank 11 - open

  Starting Block C:

  Men Master Grand Master

  overall rank 176 - open overall rank 101 - open overall rank 51 - open

  
  
• Assuming the start positions
  
  Racers will usually assume their start positions in their respective starting blocks about 45 minutes before the official start signal (e.g. typically as of 08:15 am).
  
  
• Baggage drop-off for hotel patrons
  
  Every day your bag has to be ready for pick-up by the luggage truck by a specific, predetermined time. You can often make some arrangement with your hotel receptionist as to where you should leave your bag. In any case, you’re responsible for ensuring that your duffle bag is at the proper drop-off location on time.
  
  
• Baggage drop-off for camp patrons
  
  The same stipulations apply as to hotel patrons (see above paragraph) with the exception that the luggage trucks will already be parked at camp.

Stage Finish and remainder of the day

• Arrival at the finish area
  
  The leading teams can be expected to cross the finish line by 12:00 am. The finish area usually will close at 06:00 pm unless exceptional circumstances, such as poor weather conditions, compel the race directors to push back the normal time limit.
  
  
• Drinks and food at the finish
  
  Each community hosting a stage finish will cater a sumptuous variety of food and drinks to all race participants.
  
  
• Finish area / Expo Fair
  
  A fair with booths by all of the race sponsors and service partners offering technical support will be set up immediately adjacent to the finish area of each stage.
  
  
• Race results
  
  Stage results and overall rankings always will be posted at the race office in the finish area roughly 15 minutes after the arrival of the first team and will be updated subsequently in 30-minute intervals. Preliminary stage results will be announced in the context of the evening pasta party.
  
  
• Pasta party & awards ceremony
  
  Race participants can expect the pasta party (dinner) to be scheduled at 06:00 pm most nights. There will be a welcome presentation by representatives of the host community followed by the awards ceremony for the leading teams. The party will usually conclude with a slide show of photographic impressions and a short video of the days’ stage. We’ll call it a day some time around 09:00 pm.

We will provide you with information on a regular basis until the actual event, which should allow you the best possible preparation for this highlight of the race season.