4. Bicycles and Equipment

4.1. General

1. Only human-powered, two-wheeled bikes with a freewheel assembly and at least 2 brakes that function independently are allowed (that means no electro-bikes, no motor bikes).
2. Every participant is responsible for the safety of his/her own bicycle. Particular attention must be paid to functioning brakes and other safety-related components.
3. Participants who after the start of the race are found to use bikes that are not in compliance with the rules will be expelled from the race and disqualified.
4. Bottle holders may only be attached to the down and seat tube of the frame.

4.2. Racing Bikes

The use of a racing bike is no requirement but desired. There are no regulations as regards frame geometry as long as it does not significantly limit the general riding safety.

4.3. Mountain Bikes, Trekking and City Bikes

Such types of bike may be used. Please take note of the minimum speed limit when choosing a bike.

4.4. Special Regulations

The material and types of bicycles listed below shall be expressly excluded from use for the race:

• Triathlon, horn-type and delta handlebars resp.
• Handlebar attachments of any kind
• Single speeds of any kind,
• Hand bikes of any kind
• Panniers and other loads
• Any kind of audio device or ear covers that may impair hearing, and consequently the ability to react in road traffic or in a competition (i.e. no MP3 players, no earphones, no earplugs)

5. Helmet, Race Number

5.1. Helmet

Wearing a helmet is compulsory at all times. All helmets must meet the current DIN 33954, SNEL and/or ANSI safety standards.

5.2. Race Number

The race number serves for identification of a participant. It must be affixed clearly visible, securely and in full size on the rider's back near the jersey pockets and loins respectively.

6. Conditions of Participation

1. Veloturk Gran Fondo is open to all amateur and leisure cyclist. Cyclists who have UCI licence in the current calendar year and in a professional team, are expressly not allowed to race.
2. Every participant shall make sure that his/her health is in a condition that allows him/her to take part in the event and should consult a doctor if deemed necessary, of which proof should be furnished upon request.
3. Applicants who have been involved in doping offences within the last 5 years, whether as active sportsmen/women or in some other capacity, are barred from taking part.

7. Special Features of the Veloturk Gran Fondo

7.1. Motorcycle Escort

1. The open race will be accompanied by a neutral motorcycle escort.
2. The motorcycle escort carries out the following functions:
   • Escort of the race and supervision to establish that the race is conducted in accordance with the rules, including recording of individual infringements of the rules
   • Removal of non-participants from the course
   • Provision of first aid materials in the event of a downfall
   • Provision of service kits in the event that repairs are needed

8. Rankings

8.1. Overall Individual Ranking

The overall individual ranking splits into male and female participants and the race course distance. Based on this, there will be an "Overall Individual Ranking Men" and an "Overall Individual Ranking Women".

8.2. Ranking by Age Categories

The ranking by age categories splits into rankings by male and female competitors, the race course distance and the age category.

9. Timing

1. Timing will be recorded individually and electronically.
2. The timing transponder issued upon accreditation has to be attached at the bike as instructed unless another timing system is used.

10. Food During the Race

1. At least one food point will be set up her distance at the Veloturk Gran Fondo. This will always be located one the right side of the road.
2. Such catering points will be announced on both sides of the road by signs put up at distances 1,000m and 500m before their location.
3. The rider must indicate his/her intention to take up food by giving clear hand signals, keeping to the right, veering from the course cautiously and considerately, and coming to a halt.
4. Taking food from escorting vehicles is not permitted. Any deviation from this rule shall be allowed under certain weather conditions only and will be announced before the race by the race committee on a case-to-case basis.
5. Riders must not accept food or drink from bystanders along the course or from their own support party.

11. Drop Out or Interruption of Race

1. If a rider is forced to interrupt or finish the race due to a mechanical breakdown, defect, health problems etc. he/she has to indicate this immediately to the other riders by raising his/her right arm and then stopping at the nearest side of the road. The rider can cross to the right side of the road at the next safest opportunity, should he/she not be on that side yet. There, he/she has to wait for the escort vehicle and indicate, by raising his/her right arm again, that assistance will be needed.
2. Leaving the race course results in disqualification, even if the participant returns to the race course. Official food points are part of the race course.

12. Own Escort Vehicles and Help by Third Parties

1. It is strictly prohibited for personal or team escort vehicles to drive inside the cordoned off race course.
2. It is also not allowed to accept technical assistance or food from press vehicles or other authorized vehicles that do not belong to the direct race organization.
3. In case of health problems or crashes it shall be expressly allowed to accept external assistance.

13. Average Speed and Sag Wagon

1. For the Veloturk Gran Fondo minimum average speeds are declared and must be observed. Such speed will depend on the length and the topography of the race and be published in the conditions and rules of participation as well as in the race information. They constitute an integral part of these rules.
2. Monitoring of the minimum average speed will be administered by the race committee. If required by the state of traffic, the committee may, in coordination with the escorting police, withdraw far-trailing participants from the race, despite them complying with the time limit.
3. If a rider is due to defect, health problems or otherwise unable to reach or maintain the required minimum average speed, he/she has to withdraw from the race and get into the sag wagon upon request by the race organizers.
4. The instructions given by officials and the sag wagon staff shall be strictly followed.
5. Riders who reach the finish behind the sag wagon will be disqualified and appear on the ranking list with the available transponder data, but will not be ranked.
6. Riders who reach the finish before the sag wagon but did not meet the required minimum average speed will also be disqualified and appear on the ranking list with the available transponder data, but will not be ranked.

14. General Riding Regulations

1. Participants are not allowed to hinder other riders from passing, or cut riders off/force riders off the road. Contact with other riders is to be avoided whenever possible. Any forcing aside, pulling, pushing etc. for the purpose of personal or mutual benefit or other hindrances, such as sudden leaving of the lane or stopping during or in the run-out of the race without compelling reasons shall be penalized according to the list of penalties
2. Slip-streaming behind or holding onto motor vehicles is prohibited. This shall also apply to crashes or defects.
3. The passing of food or refreshments among participants shall be allowed.
4. Any discarding of objects of any sort, including waste or empty bottles shall be prohibited and will be punished according to the list of penalties (see section 18). Every participant has to make sure that his waste and empty drinking bottles are disposed of in no other places than the food points along the race course or at the finish.

15. Material Exchange and Defect Repair

1. The exchange of tools and spare parts shall be permitted among the participants, whereas the exchange of wheels and racing bikes is strictly forbidden.
2. Bicycle repairs must be made while standing and behind the group on the right side of the road in front of the service car, if present. The pavement on the right-hand side of the road, if there is one, should be used for carrying out repairs.
3. To repair a bicycle at a service point the rider must first by give a clear hand signal, keep to the right, veer from the course cautiously and considerately, and come to a halt. The material depots will always be on the right side of the road and are either combined with food points or marked with signs.

16.Sanctions in Case of Infringements of the Rules

16.1. General

1. Penalties for offences may only be imposed by the race committee.
2. The degree of punishment is based on the list in section 16.2. and shall be applied with no exception.
3. The race committee shall be entitled to impose sanctions also for offences not given in the list below. The degree of punishment shall be determined by the race committee.

16.2.List of Penalties

Due to organizational reasons and for the safety of the participants, the following penalty index shall apply:

1. Defrauding the organizer by participating under a false name: Banned to race for 5 years or lifetime ban and a fine of 500 euros paid to the organizer. The fine will be donated for charitable purposes.
2. Defrauding the organizer by wrongfully participating as an A or B license: Disqualification, removal from the rider results list and ban to race for 5 subsequent years
3. Transfer of own race documents to another person to participate with, without ensuring that said documents: Banned to race for at least 3 subsequent years, lifetime ban if act was deliberate were rightfully transferred onto his/her own name
4. Defrauding the organizer by using another rider's transponder: Banned to race for 3 years
5. Defrauding the organizer by using old or false race number: Banned to race for 3 years
6. Violence between participants or against other persons: Disqualification and suspension for the 3 following years
7. Intentional dangerous riding: Disqualification and suspension for the following year
8. Short cutting or any other deviation from the race course: Disqualification and suspension for the following year
9. Crossing of closed gates at level crossings: Disqualification and suspension for the following year
10. Use of bike contrary to the race rules in the race: Disqualification and suspension for the following year
11. Racing without helmet or taking off helmet during race: Disqualification and suspension for the following year
12. Race number on back and transponder missing: Disqualification and suspension for the following year

17. Recording of Infringements of the Rules

1. Each year the organizer and the race committee record infringements of the rules at the start, during the race and in the finish area.
2. The infringements recorded are saved in the form of a list of infringements.
3. Riders who are recorded on the list as having committed an infringement that did not lead directly to disqualification will at accreditation in the following year receive a precautionary memorandum from the race committee advising them to take particular care to observe the rules, since repeated infringements may, depending on the severity of the offence, lead to disqualification and to a ban on entry.
4. Riders who commit no further infringements in three consecutive years will have their name removed from the list of infringements.