1. General
(1) The TOUR Transalp (the "Event") is an event organized by Delius Klasing Verlags GmbH (the "Organizer"). The Event consists of 7 individual stages ("Stages").
(2) These regulations govern the terms of participation of every participant in the Event ("Participants") and are binding to them. A precondition to participate is full acceptance of these regulations.
(3) The Organizer has complete event authority and is entitled at any time to make decisions relating to the event, particularly to change the route, to extend or shorten to a reasonable extent the distance of the stage for objective reasons (e.g. damage to roads) - even shortly before the stage in question.
(4) Instructions from Event staff and uniformed forces (police, fire service, THW - technical assistance organization) must be complied completely and immediately. In the event of non-compliance, the Organizer is entitled to penalize the Participant in question (see point "Sanctions" of these regulations). "Event Staff" and those acting on behalf of the Organizer means all those persons identified as such (e.g. marshals).
2. Eligibility – health
(1) Recreational, amateur and professional athletes are eligible to participate.
(2) Men and women are eligible to participate.
(3) The minimum age of the participants at the start of the Event is 18 years.
(4) Only a person whose general health permits participation in the Event is eligible to participate. The Organizer strongly advises participants to undergo a medical examination by a qualified medical doctor immediately before participating in the Event. The Organizer is entitled at any time to have the health of participants assessed by a qualified medical doctor, and if he or she expresses justified concerns in respect of the physical condition of the Participant, to exclude the Participant in question from the stage or the entire Event (or the rest of it) without a legal claim by the Participant arising from it.
(5) A precondition, for every Participant to take part in the event, is the presence of the participation confirmation (see general terms and conditions of the Event) as well as a signed original declaration of liability (sent out by e-mail approximately 2 weeks before the Event).
(6) A Person banned by the BDR (German cycling association) or other national associations is ineligible to participate.
3. Equipment
(1) Only road bikes are permitted in the Event. Each Participant shall ensure that his or her bike is fully functional and free from defects at all times, in particular that the bike does not pose any risk for the Participant or third parties, this applies especially in respect of the brakes and other safety components. The Organizer strongly advises that the bike be examined for functionality/safety by a specialist immediately before participating in the Event.
(2) It is compulsory to wear a helmet with closed chinstrap at all times during the entire event, without exception. Each Participant shall ensure that his or her helmet is at all times free from defects, in particular that it has not been damaged and meets the recognized DIN standard 33954, the SNELL and/or ANSI standards and is adapted to fit the Participant's head. The Organizer strongly advises that the helmet be examined for damage/safety and proper fit by a specialist immediately before participating in the Event.
(3) The event is a road bike event held over several days. Participants should equip themselves accordingly. This includes all-weather clothing and first aid equipment. It is recommended to bring tools and spare material along.
(4) The Organizer reserves the right to forbid the use of certain items of equipment for objective reasons. Currently the material listed below is expressly forbidden:
- All devices attached to the bike or worn on the body like tubes, straps or grab handles which allow the team partner to hold on to, to drag or to shove
- Luggage rack bags, handlebar bags or bags mounted on the front wheel. Saddle-, seat post and frame bags over 2 litres volume
- Water bottles from non-malleable material such as glass, aluminium etc.
- E-bikes and all other types of engines on the bike
- Tandems
- Multi-track vehicles
- triathlon, horn or delta talents
- Handlebar attachments of all kinds
- Recumbent bicycles, unicycles and hand bikes of all kinds
- Bottle holder behind or under the saddle
- Disc wheels front and/or rear
(5) The Organizer is entitled to have bicycles/equipment examined by an expert at any time. If this expert identifies breaches of the requirements stated above under “Equipment” in these regulations, the Organizer is entitled to exclude the relevant Participant from the Event (or the rest of it) until the breach identified has been removed, without a legal claim by the Participant arising from it.
(6) The participants may support each other within the framework of the road traffic regulations. However, mechanical connections between bicycles / riders (towing lines or similar) and technical aids such as holding loops are not permitted.
4. Start
(1) The official start time of each stage is determined by the Organizer.
(2) Formation of each start grid begins 60 minutes before the official start time of the stage. The daily briefing for all Participants by the race management begins 15 minutes before the official start.
(3) Each day, the start is possible until 15 minutes after the official start time. Participants who start up to 15 minutes after the official start will be timed from the official start time. For Participants who set off more than 15 minutes after the official start time, the following applies:
- Should the Participant ride the stage anyway, he does so outside the event and at his own risk.
- The Participant is automatically entered in the ranking with the penalty time (see section “ranking”).
- The stage is deemed as “not finished”, the Participant will not be listed in the overall ranking.
(4) On the first stage the start grid is arranged according to starting numbers, which are assigned by the Organizer. From the second stage onwards, the participants will be positioned in the starting area according to their place in the overall ranking. Teams start together, i.e. both participants have the same starting position. The start from the assigned starting block is mandatory.
(5) On the first stage all Participants have the same starting time. To all following stages applies the following: the start time in the first starting block is the same for everyone (block start time). The Participants in the remaining starting blocks have a net start time, which starts with crossing the start line.
(6) The Organizer reserves the right to implement a so-called "neutralized Start" on individual stages. A neutralized Start will be announced by the race director in advance at a briefing and signaled with a red light or a red flag on the roof of the race control vehicle. The following regulations apply:
1. After the starting signal, the starting blocks start in short intervals and queue behind the car of the race director (regular case). For traffic or track reasons the starting blocks may be released time delayed. In this case, the car of the race director takes control over the lead of the first starting block. The following blocks are guided by an additional vehicle, or a marshal, over the starting line onto the racetrack.
2. The car of the race director decides when the stage may be opened. Clearance is given by placing a green light or a green flag on the roof of the race director’s car. In exceptional cases, the start can also be cleared by motorcycle marshals in front. In this case, the clearance is also given by a previously defined sign (e.g. hand signal) communicated to the participants.
3. The car of the race director will attempt to stay in front of the lead riders even after clearance has been given. If this is not possible due to the traffic situation, the participants may overtake the car of the race director as long as there is a green light/green flag on the roof. They will then be accompanied by a leading motorcycle.
5. Important rules of conduct during the Event
The Event is taking place on public streets that are not specially closed for the event, so that the following basic rules must be adhered to in particular when participating:
(1) General rules of conduct for participants
a. The Participants must at all times obey the rules of the road of the respective country.
b. Participation requires constant vigilance and mutual consideration. Care must be taken on parts of the course with blind turns. When travelling downhill Participants must always be ready to brake and oncoming traffic should be expected.
c. Participants must behave in such a way that no one else is harmed or endangered. Obstructing other participants will only be tolerated if the race situation makes it unavoidable. A fair cooperation e.g. in case of bottlenecks is always required.
d. All Participants must travel on the right-hand side of the road (as far right as possible) throughout the entire event. Cutting corners is not permitted. Traffic overtaking from behind should be expected.
e. Helmets are compulsory at all times without exception for the entire duration of the event (see also the provisions on material in section “equipment”).
f. Under no circumstances may items be thrown away or permitted to fall, particularly not food packaging, bottles or drinking cups.
g. Slower Participants must immediately make way for those overtaking.
h. At closed railway crossings, once the red light is lit no crossing is permitted. No time will be credited to Participants held up at closed railway crossings.
i. Participants must repair defects alongside the route, without obstructing other Participants.
j. During the sprint to the finish, changing lane is not permitted.
(2) Mutual support/external assistance by third parties
a. Pushing (without mechanical aids) is explicitly only allowed between team partners. Pushing, pulling or offering slipstream by non-participating external third parties (team coaches, friends) is not allowed.
b. It is not permitted to ride along (direct race accompaniment) for the purpose of catering or quick technical assistance by external third parties by car, motorcycle, e-bike or bicycle. Race accompaniment on the track by external third parties, e.g. for photo/film shots, may be permitted in exceptional cases, but must be coordinated with the race management beforehand.
c. It is not permitted to hand over food from a moving vehicle, motorbike or moving e-bike/bike.
(3) Fair cooperation between teams of two and individual starters
a. Riding together in mixed groups of individual riders and teams of two is permitted in a sporting and fair cooperation.
b. The participation as a single starter solely for the purpose of supporting one or more two-man teams (e.g. as a pacemaker or permanent slipstream) is grossly unfair from a sporting point of view and will be punished by exclusion of the Participant and the supported teams. This also applies to Individual Finishers who continue alone after the team partner has left the team.
6. Individual catering and technical service on the track
a. The handing over of food, drinks, clothing or spare parts by escorts standing at the side of the track is allowed, as long as the course is not hindered.
b. The exchange of complete bikes during a stage (e.g. in case of a broken frame) is not allowed.
c. The race management reserves the right to designate assistance and catering zones. Technical assistance or catering outside these zones is then not allowed and will be subject to a time penalty for all accompanied participants.
d. If no assistance and catering zones have been designated, coaches may line up at any point along the route, given that they can reach it on foot or by bicycle, that they do not obstruct the course and that they do not directly accompany the participants they wish to assist.
e. Entering roads and paths closed to public traffic by car or motorcycle for the purpose of assistance and catering is expressly prohibited and will be subject to a time penalty for all accompanied participants. The permission to use these roads and paths applies exclusively to participants and accompanying vehicles of the organizer.
f. The riders field is divided into a "race field" and a "chase field". The beginning of the race field is marked by the leading vehicle with the writing "Inizio Gara". The end of the race field is marked by the final vehicle with the writing "Fine Gara". After this final vehicle the "chasing field" begins, which ends with the Sweep Car. Support vehicles in the race field are strictly prohibited. Supporting vehicles which are in public traffic in the area of the chasing field may not obstruct the participants.
7. Food and drink
(1) Every Participant is responsible for their own food and drink during the stages.
(2) The Organizer will provide appropriate food at the food stations, while supplies last. However, the Organizer does not guarantee the availability of food and drink.
(3) These food zones will be signposted in advance advising of the distance. To receive food, each Participant must give a clear hand signal, move to the right and then carefully enter the food zone before finally coming to a stop.
8. Start numbers, leader's jersey and Participant ID
(1) Every Participant is obliged to have their start number (both Participants of a Team have the same start number) clearly visible on both their bike (handlebars) and body (on their back) throughout the entire Event. The advertising on the start numbers may not be covered or otherwise rendered unrecognizable.
(2) After each stage the leaders of each category will receive their leader jerseys from the organizer. These must be worn the following day during the entire stage.
(3) Every Participant must carry their Participant ID throughout the entire Event.
9. Transponder
(1) Every Participant receives a transponder during the accreditation at the start location.
(2) The transponder serves to record the individual time.
(3) The Participant is responsible for ensuring that he carries this transponder with him throughout the entire event, correctly mounted on the bicycle. Otherwise the time registration and consequently the evaluation cannot take place and the following applies:
The Participant concerned will automatically be included in the ranking with the penalty time (see point "ranking").
The stage is considered “not finished” by the Participant.
(4) The Transponder must be returned by every Participant to the appropriately signposted point in the finishing area of the final stage.
10. Checkpoints and minimum speeds
(1) The Organizer reserves the right to deploy checkpoints for each stage and determine minimum passing times. The minimum passing times dependent among other things on the length of the race and the topography of the particular stage.
(2) For Participants who do not pass the checkpoints and/or do not attain the minimum passing times at the measurement points, the following applies:
The Participant is automatically entered in the ranking with the penalty time (see point “ranking”). The stage is considered “not finished” by the Participant.
If the Participant does continue the Stage, it is done outside of the Event and at the Participant's own risk.
11. Sweep car
(1) Behind the last Participant there will be a so-called sweep car. The sweep car takes in Participants who are unable to continue due to exhaustion or breakdown and transports them to the finish line.
(2) If the sweep car is full, the race management will try to organize alternative transport.
(3) The broom wagon remains behind the last competitor until the finish line who is still within the minimum transit times at the measuring points.
12. Marshals and track commissaires
(1) Compliance with these regulations will be monitored during all stages by appropriately identified marshals and so-called commissaires on motorbikes.
(2) The marshals and commissaires are authorized to immediately impose and implement sanctions for breaches of the rules. The sanctions include warnings as well as (for serious breaches) immediate expulsion from the Event (see point “sanctions”). The choice of the sanction is made by the marshals and commissaires at their dutiful discretion or by the race management after the stage.
(3) The instructions of the marshals and commissaires must in all circumstances be followed immediately, and if necessary, the stage must be immediately interrupted. An objection to a sanction imposed by the marshals may only be raised after the end of the stage (see point “Jury and Protest”).
(4) In addition, every breach (regardless of whether it receives a sanction or not) will be notified by the marshals and commissaires who will submit the breach to the jury for consideration.
13. Finish line and time keeping
(1) At the finish line for each stage the Participants must ride over the contact strips in the ground.
(2) The Participants of a team do not have to cross the finish line at the same time. However, only the time of the slower Participant of the Team will be taken into account for the ranking.
(3) Time is only measured up to the official finish time. The official finish time is determined by the Organizer. The Organizer reserves the right to postpone the finish time particularly on objective grounds such as weather conditions or for similar reasons.
(4) The following applies for Participants who do not ride over the contact strips in the ground or arrive after the official finish time:
The Participant is automatically entered in the ranking with the penalty time (see point “ranking”). The stage is considered “not finished” by the Participant.
If the Participant does continue the Stage, it is done outside of the Event and at the Participant's own risk.
14. Ranking
(1) In the two-person team classification, a distinction is made between the following categories ("categories"):
Men
Women
Mixed (Teams consisting of one male and one female participant)
Masters (Men; the sum total of the ages of both participants must be 80 years and over)
Grand Masters (Men; the sum total of the ages of both participants must be 100 years and over)
The deadline for determining the age group is the day of the first Stage. Only the full years (on the day of the first stage) will be added, therefore it makes no difference if a Participant is exactly 40 years old on the day or 40 years, 11 months and 29 days. In both cases 40 years will be added to the sum total.
(2) Single starters are divided into the following categories ("categories").
Men
Men Masters from 40 years on
Men Grand Masters 50 years on
Men Senior Grand Masters 60 years and older
Women
(3) U-23 ranking
The U23 classification includes all riders born in 2001 and younger. This is an individual classification, not a team classification. All participants of the respective age groups will be ranked, no matter if they are part of a team of two, single starters or after the team partner "Individual Finisher" has dropped out.
(4) Daily score
The stage victory in each category goes to the two-man team with the fastest team time or the individual starter with the fastest time of the day.
(5) Overall classification
The team times and times of the individual stages will be added up, resulting in the total time ("total time"). This results in the overall ranking. The team of two or the individual starter with the lowest total time in a category leads the overall classification in the corresponding category.
(6) As far as a participant is classified with the "Penalty Time" according to the present regulations, this means the maximum riding time (starting shot until the official finish line) plus a time penalty of 60 minutes.
(7) Loss of a team partner ("Individual Finisher")
In the event of the loss of a team partner, the remaining starter will not be included in the individual classification but will be listed as "Individual Finisher". In this special category outside the official overall classification, his or her times of the individual stages will continue to be added to an individual overall time.
15. Award ceremony
(1) Overall classification: At the daily awards ceremony, first, second and third place winners of the respective daily classification in all categories will be honored. After that, the leader jerseys are handed over to the leaders in the overall classification in each category and to the leader of the U-23 classification. At the final award ceremony, on the last day of the race, the second and third place finishers in the overall ranking will also be honored. Participation in the award ceremonies is obligatory. In case of non-appearance, a time penalty of 5 minutes will be imposed (cancellation is possible in the Race Office if there are good reasons; decision by race management).
(2) Special classifications: If provided for, special classifications will also be honored during the daily award ceremony.
16. Prematurely ending a Stage or the entire Event
(1) Teams or individual Participants who end a stage prematurely must sign out immediately with the Organizer on site (race office or checkpoint) or using the emergency phone number printed on their Participant ID. For Teams or Participants who do not sign out at the race office or check points or use the telephone number provided, the Organizer will launch a search mission at the expense of the Participant.
(2) Participants who let themselves be picked up by the Sweep Car are automatically deregistered by the event personnel. The same applies to participants who cannot finish the stage after medical treatment. Anyone who fails to complete the minimum passage times and falls behind the Sweep Car or the final marshals, must deregister at the race office or the event personnel on the route. The continuation of the stage is then at the participants own risk.
(3) Anyone who wishes to end the whole Event prematurely must also sign out in the race office, hand back the transponder and when necessary cancel the booked rooms. Each person is responsible for his or her own return journey.
17. Finishers
Every finisher receives a so-called finisher's jersey and a finisher’s medal. A "Finisher" is anyone who completes all seven (7) Stages in accordance with the rules. The size given during registration for the finisher's jersey is binding.
18. Doping
(1) Any form of doping is strictly forbidden. Doping is anything which is deemed doping under the WADA code ( www.wada-ama.org) at the start of the event.
(2) The Organizer is entitled to carry out doping tests before the event (as part of accreditation) as well as during and after the event. This also includes blood samples, provided they are taken by a licensed physician. The tests will be carried out by an appropriately qualified laboratory.
(3) Every doping breach will lead without exception to the immediate expulsion of the Participant, without a legal claim arising from it. A doping breach means a positive finding of doping by the testing laboratory; no so-called B sample is required.
(4) Participants who refuse doping tests by the Organizer will be expelled from the Event, without a legal claim by the Participant arising from it.
(5) Additional rights of the Organizer in respect of doping breaches by Participants are reserved.
(6) Participants with a current doping ban as well as participants who are in a pending doping procedure are not eligible to compete.
19. Jury and protest
(1) The Organizer shall create a jury ("Jury") for every Event. The Jury consists of three (3) members chosen at the Organizer's discretion (generally race director, head of the organizing committee, head of timekeeping).
(2) The Jury decides on breaches of rules and protests notified to it (e.g. by marshals or commissaires). "Protests" are breaches of the rules notified by Participants from other Teams or complaints by Participants against the actions (e.g. sanctions) of Event staff. Protests must be submitted no later than one (1) our after the finish time in the race office and set out in writing, if necessary with reference to documentary evidence (e.g. witnesses) The fee for lodging a Protest is 50€ and must be paid with the submission of the Protest. The Protest fee remains with the Organizer if the Protest is rejected, otherwise it is returned immediately.
(3) The Jury deliberates and decides on breaches of rules and Protests taking into consideration all the relevant circumstances. The decision, particularly to impose sanctions, is made at the discretion of the Jury. The Jury is entitled to increase already imposed sanctions or to set them aside or to supplement them with additional ones.
(4) The Jury deliberates in private in the absence of the Participant involved. The decisions of the Jury are binding, there is no legal remedy against a decision of the Jury.
(5) The Participant will be notified no later than the start of the next stage and/or at the end of the Event before the announcement of the ranking.
20. Sanctions
(1) The Jury is entitled to impose penalties for breaches of these rules.
(2) Participants who have already been sanctioned, ride for the rest of the Event (i.e. the current and all subsequent stages) on " probation". Sanctioned Participants who receive another penalty may be expelled immediately from the Event.
(3) The following list of penalties is not exhaustive. The Jury is entitled to impose penalties and/or sanctions for breaches of the rules other than the following penalties/sanctions. The decision of the Jury whether to impose a penalty, and if so at what level (e.g. length of the time penalty), is made at the Jury's sole discretion.
Misdemeanor: Penalty
Starting grid with an illegal bicycle, technical defects in equipment: no starting until remedied
Back and handlebar numbers not visibly attached: Warning
Incorrect starting block formation: warning and time penalty
Dangerous / aggressive riding: Warning and time penalty or exclusion from the event
Failure to wear or remove the helmet on the course: exclusion from the event
Deliberate obstruction of a participant, gross unsportsmanlike conduct: Warning and time penalty
Illegal behavior, insult, threat, incorrect behavior: exclusion from the event
Attempt to be classified without having completed the entire course: exclusion from the event
Detaining on a vehicle: warning and time penalty
Non-compliant mechanical assistance: warning and time penalty
Doping: exclusion from the event
Non-compliance with the StVO: Warning and time penalty or exclusion from the event
Non-observance of the instructions of the race management, marshals, commissaries etc: exclusion from the event
Environmental pollution, throwing away waste, drinking bottles etc. (outside the marked areas at the refreshment posts): Warning and time penalty (in case of recurrence exclusion from the event)
Not wearing the leader's jersey: warning and time penalty
Non-appearance of the leaders at the award ceremony: time penalty
Participants accompanying vehicles that obstruct the event: Warning and time penalty
21. Image rights
(1) The Organizer is entitled to take photographs and videos of the Participants or have them taken as part of the Event and to use, and especially to publish and/or edit these - subject to subsection (2) - without limitation as to time, location or content on TV, the internet, in printed materials, on any known or future medium, including for advertising purposes, without any time limits and free of charge, i.e. no payment or damages is required to be paid in respect of same. This includes in particular the right to grant third parties (e.g. sponsors of the Event) the right of use.
(2) Expressly not included is the use of individual Participants (or a group) in such a way that the focus is on the Participant(s) in question rather than the Event or participation in the Event. Such use requires prior approval by the Participants in question.
(3) The Participant agrees that the personal data obtained may be passed on to third parties for the purposes of timekeeping, drawing up the lists of results and putting these lists on the internet.
(4) The Participant agrees to the publication of his or her surname, forename, year of birth, residence, Team name, start number and result (placing and times) in all media relevant to the Event (list of Participants, list of results etc.).
(5) The Participant may object to the disclosure and publication of his or her personal details by contacting the Organizer in writing, by phone or e-mail.
22. Liability of the Organizer
(1) The liability of the organizer is limited as follows: The liability of the Organizer for damages resulting from injury to life, body or health, which is based on a negligent or intentional breach of duty by the Organizer or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the Organizer, is unlimited in reason and amount. For other damages, which are based on an intentional or grossly negligent breach of duty by the organizer or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the organizer, the organizer is also liable without limitation in reason and amount. The organizer is not liable for damages based on a negligent breach of duty by the organizer or a legal representative or vicarious agent, unless it is a matter of damages resulting from the breach of cardinal obligations. The liability for damages resulting from the violation of cardinal obligations is, however, limited in terms of amount to compensation for damages foreseeable at the time of conclusion of the contract and typical for this type of contract. "Cardinal obligations" are those whose fulfilment is essential for the proper execution of the contract and on whose observance the participant may regularly rely.
(2) The participant is hereby once again expressly informed that the organizer and/or his legal representatives or vicarious agents are not liable for damages for which they are not responsible. This applies, for example, to damages caused by misconduct/riding errors of other riders or the fact that participants are prevented from participating in whole or in part due to legal regulations and/or official orders.
(3) The present limitation of liability also expressly applies to lost valuables, items of clothing and equipment and damage to the bicycles caused during transport.
23. Liability of the Participant and indemnity
(1) The Participant is once more expressly reminded that he or she is liable for damage to the Organizer or third parties (e.g. other riders) to an unlimited extent if the Participant is responsible for same, e.g. the Participant is charged with acting deliberately or negligently. The Organizer recommends that Participants obtain a policy of public liability insurance for events such as these.
(2) The Participant hereby undertakes to indemnify the Organizer and/or third parties engaged by the Organizer ("Indemnified Parties") in full in respect of all third party claims as soon as so requested and to pay the costs claimed as against the Indemnified Parties in respect of the loss or damage caused by the Participant and all costs incurred in this regard (including legal defense).
Status: June 2020
