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Know the Rules
It is important that every Absa Cape Epic rider fully understands the rules.
We encourage all riders to carefully read through these before starting their training, refer back to them during training and have a last read through before rolling up to the start line.
Ignorance of the rules will not be considered as a mitigating factor.
Top 10 Rules for Amateur Riders
1. You will need to present your ID or passport as well as your CSA (Cycling South Africa) or national federation license at registration. If you do not have one, a temporary license can be purchased at registration. The medical form refers to the online medical questionnaire you need to complete through your rider profile as part of your compulsory actions. (Rule 3.1.2)
2. Ensure you are registered in the correct category - you cannot change your category after race start. (Rule 3.3)
3. Riders must ride within 2 minutes of their team partner at all times. (Rule 8)
4. Each day has staggered start times and riders are seeded according to their overall position in the field. (Rule 11)
5. No rider may trespass on land that is not open to the public for mountain biking. (Rule 12.5)
6. Maximum stage times and cut-off points during the stage are strictly enforced. (Rule 15)
7. If you do not finish a stage, you may continue riding the next day, but will not be considered an official finisher. If you do not finish a second stage, you may not continue riding. (Rule 16)
8. If your partner did not finish a stage but you did, you still qualify as a finisher. (Rule 16)
9. Your supporters may not assist you out on the course. (Rule 23)
10. Notify the race office if you withdraw from the race. (Rules 24)
Zero Tolerance Policy
The Absa Cape Epic conforms to the World Anti-Doping Code as laid out by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and works with the UCI and the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) to ensure the Code is properly implemented at the race and amongst cyclists in South Africa. Stringent and comprehensive doping control is conducted at the race by the UCI and SAIDS.
Any person who is under provisional or final sanction by an Anti-Doping Organisation with jurisdiction under the WADA Code (a “person under sanction”) is prohibited from participating or being involved in the race, whether as a rider, team manager or official or in any other capacity whatsoever.
Where any such sanction has been made final for an offence committed after 31 December 2012, such prohibition shall apply for the life of the person under sanction (irrespective of the duration of the sanction imposed by the relevant Anti-Doping Organisation).
As is stipulated in the race rules, the organisers reserve the right to test all participants and therefore, per the WADA Code, the onus is on the athlete to check that any substances or methods used do not appear on WADA's current List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.
Important Information
Downloads:
For more information on doping control regulations please visit the following websites:
Rider Commitment
We believe that every rider should play a role in keeping other riders and event staff safe at the races. There are three pillars that should guide rider behaviour;
1. Be responsible
- Stay home if you are sick or have been in contact with someone that is sick.
- Be Alert! Read all event communication and signage, as it could contain important information on any new procedures and policies. Follow safety instructions of race announcers and race officials. All South African traffic regulations must be observed at all times during the race.
- Respect physical distancing and maintain a distance of >1.5 m from others wherever possible.
- Utilise proper health and hygiene methods for hand washing, hand sanitising, sneezing, and coughing.
- Wear a face cover when in close proximity to others.
- Show-up on time according to your assigned time for activities such as registration and start chute check-in.
- Download the Epic Series App.
2. Respect others
- Treat each other with respect. Help each other out when in need.
- Avoid spitting or expelling any other bodily fluids near other riders and event staff.
- Give yourself and others space! Keep a distance of >1.5 m from others.
- Let others know when passing. Verbalise your intention to pass if it is safe to do so. An overtaking manoeuvre should not be forced – please be polite and considerate.
- Let faster riders pass. Don’t hinder another from overtaking.
- Effectively utilise service stations. Touch only what you take. Minimise time spent standing at the nutrition table allowing safe access for others. Minimise touch-points and interactions with other riders and volunteers.
3. Observe Rider Etiquette
- Consider the safety of others. Adhere to best practices to protect others.
- Respect the host community. You are their guest during race week and please act like it.
- Thank the event volunteers. They are there to help you achieve your dreams.
- Pay attention to instructions from race officials.
- Celebrate with others in a no-touch manner. Practice virtual fist-bumps.
- No littering! Properly dispose all rubbish.
