Race Rules

The rules are here to keep everyone safe and ensure good sportsmanship. Whether you’re an Elite racer or a weekend warrior, the same rules apply. Not respecting the rules will result in a time penalty, disqualification or potential ban from racing.

Code of Conduct

  • Be courteous

  • Anti-competitive and intimidating behaviour will not be tolerated

  • Remember, this is not the EDR

  • The officials are only human

  • The volunteers have been here for hours setting up so you can race

  • Respect the trails. Do not cut corners or create new lines.

  • Before you complain, have you volunteered?

Rider Responsibilities​

  • Read the rules

  • Ride within your limits

  • Ensure your bike is in good working order before the race

  • Eyes up! Read the trail.

  • Help injured riders. If you are first on the scene of an accident, make sure everyone involved is OK, if there is an injury, stay with them and organise the next rider past to go for help. DO NOT leave a seriously injured rider by themselves. 

Racing

  • The entire course must be completed under the rider’s own power. No assistance is permitted on race or liaison stages.

  • Only one attempt per time stage is permitted, unless specifically directed by the race organiser.

  • Catching riders on course is part of racing. If a rider behind you has given ample time and they catch you on the stage, you must move aside.

    • If you want to overtake a rider, clearly and politely let the rider in front know – ‘rider when ready’ is a good approach

    • If you are being overtaken, move over as soon as it is safe to do so

    • Please and Thank you go a long way

  • The only instance where a re-run of a stage is permitted is if you stop to help an injured rider. You must pass the finish beacon first, notify the marshal and proceed to the start of the stage following the liaison route.

  • If you cause another rider to crash due to an unsafe pass you will be disqualified.

  • Riders who wish to not complete the course must proceed to the registration tent and follow instructions.

  • Once you finish the course, return to the registration tent where your times will be uploaded from your timing chip. 

 The Course

We try to run an inclusive race series allowing differently skilled riders to compete on the same course. The course will consist of:

  • Descents on technical trails with options of ‘A’ lines and ‘B’ lines if appropriate

    • ‘A’ line is usually the more difficult but the quickest path

    • ‘B’ line may direct a rider around a technical trail feature and is usually the slower, although easier path.

  • Short flat or climbing sections may be included in timed stages in accordance with AusCycling guidelines

  • Riders check in and out of special stages by passing the start and finish beacons

  • Timed stages are linked together by generally un-timed climbs or liaisons, however there is an overall time cap in which the course must be completed. Dawdling, stopping for food or visiting your car is no excuse for a slow course completion time. If you run into any problems, notify a marshal immediately.

  • Proceed with caution if you are unsure of the course.

  • Course details will be made public on the Friday prior to race day

  • Stages are designed to suit a mid-travel bike but can be completed on any bike with varying degrees of difficulty

  • The course is usually made up of 4 to 7 stages and depending on the event, can range from 10-25mins of race time and/or 15-25kms

  • You may need to pass through a mid course checkin, please check the course map for each race

Course Markings

  • The course will be marked out with a mixture of red and white barrier tape, arrows, sign posts and items from the natural environment (e.g. branches, logs) to indicate the direction of travel.

  • To reduce our environmental impact and keep race costs (and entry fees) low, stages will not be double taped in their entirety, riders are expected to remain on the established trail and not create their own lines or shortcuts.

  • It is the rider’s responsibility to read the trail markings & maps. Don’t assume a stage will be marked in a particular way.

  • Where two pieces of course tape, on opposite sides of the course, are installed, riders must pass between them. In these areas, missing, crossing or passing the course tape on the wrong side will be deemed as course cutting.

  • A short cut is any line that deviates from the established trail in order to gain a time advantage whether or not there is course tape in place. The course markings are there to indicate that you are heading in the right direction not to define the track limits.

  • Taking short cuts, or course cutting, is not in the spirit of competition, may cause damage to the surrounding environment and may result in a disqualification and potential ban from all future events.

  • If you leave the course on a race stage you must re-enter the track in the same place

  • If a rider is caught short cutting or unfairly gaining an advantage by a marshal or via video/photo proof, a time penalty may be applied.

​Timing

  • Riders will receive a timing chip at registration to be worn on your right wrist using the wrist strap provided. Do not mount it on your handle bars.

  • Riders must activate their chip upon registration. If you don't activate it, it won't work, and you won't get any results.

  • The chip is the rider’s responsibility to keep safe for the duration of the race. If lost or broken, the rider will be charged for the replacement (approximately A$150) 

  • Upon completing the course riders must go straight to the timing tent to download their times and return their timing chip within the specified time limit for the event.

 Bike

  • You may only use one bike during the event. Wheel rims, bike frame and fork cannot be changed. The race director has the discretion to prohibit unsafe or unsuitable bikes.

  • All bikes must be in perfect working order

  • Bikes can be repaired during the event, but no extra time is granted

  • Competitors are not to modify race plates

​E-Bikes

  • E-Bikes may only be used for competition in the e-bike category

  • E-Bike riders may not tow other riders on liaison stages

  • All ebikes must comply with Australian Standards and not be modified or”chipped” to exceed the legal speed limit for ebikes

Personal equipment - all ages

  • Full face helmets that meet Australian Standards AS2063 are compulsory on timed stages for all riders

  • Knees must be covered

  • Helmets with a detachable chin piece are acceptable

  • Riders must wear a helmet whenever they are riding their bike

  • Riders must carry enough food and water to get around the course

In addition to the above, Under 17 riders and below must wear the following at all times

  • Gloves

  • Long sleeve jersey

  • Knee pads

  • Elbow pads

​Penalties

  • Rolling start - 30sec

  • Cutting track (1st offence) - 30sec

  • Cutting track (2nd offence) - DSQ

  • Missed check-in mid race (If applicable, check track map) - DSQ

  • Late checkin (Between 3 & 3:30pm) - 30sec

  • Modifying track or bunting (Including practice days pre-event) - DSQ

*Although every effort will be made to contact all competitors, GESA reserves the right to make changes to the rules at any given time without notice. Rider briefing can over rule or modify these rules on race day.