INTRODUCTION

1.1. These rules shall apply to the L'etap Türkiye 2024.
1.2. By registration and participation in the L'etap Türkiye every participant accepts these rules.
1.3. Each rider should check the content of the race pack given at the registration desk.
1.4. Each rider should check his/her personal information during registration and report any mistake before the start.

Long Course
- Elite Men/Women (18-34)
- Master Men/Women (35-39)
- Master Men/Women (40-44)
- Master Men/Women (45-49)
- Master Men/Women (50-54)
- Master Men/Women (55-59)
- Master Men/Women (60-64)
- Master Men/Women (65+)
- General Classification – Men/Women
Note: Any age group that is less than 7 participants will be united with the lower/upper age group.

TEAMS

There is no team rank.

BICYCLES AND EQUIPMENT

4.1. General

4.1.1. Only human-powered, two-wheeled bikes with a freewheel assembly and at least 2 brakes that function independently are allowed. (no electro-bikes, no motor bikes)
4.1.2. Every participant is responsible for the safety of his/her own bicycle. Particular attention must be paid to the brakes and other safety-related components.
4.1.3. If the use of bikes that are not compliance with the regulations are discovered, the participant will be eliminated from the race and disqualified.
4.1.4. Bottle holders may only be attached within the framing geometry of the bike.

4.2. Racing Bikes
The use of a road/racing bike is not mandatory, but is recommended due to the speed and conditions of the race.

4.3. Mountain Bikes, Trekking and City Bikes
Mountain bikes, trekking and city bikes may be used. If you prefer to use these types of bikes you should consider your safety, average speed and time limits.

4.4. Special Regulations

The bikes and components listed below are prohibited in the race:
- Triathlon, horn-type, aero bars and delta handlebars resp.
- Handlebar attachments of any kind
- Single speeds of any kind
- Fixie bikes of any kind
- Hand bikes of any kind
- Panniers and other loads
- Any kind of audio device or headphone that may reduce hearing ability, and consequently reduce the ability to respond. (i.e. no MP3 players, no earphones, no earplugs).

HELMET, RACE NUMBER

5.1. Helmet

Wearing a helmet is mandatory.

5.2. Race Number

The race number is used for identification of a participant. It must be affixed securely and it must be clearly visible. It must be in full size, on both sides of the rider's back near the jersey pockets and under the saddle.

CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION

6.1 L'etap Türkiye are open to all amateur cyclists.
6.2. Applicants who have been involved in doping offences within the last 5 years, whether as active sportsmen/women or in some other capacity, are banned from taking part.
6.3. According to the regulations of the federation, in all bicycle disciplines
- Cyclists who scored UCI points in the past two years
- Cyclists who are members of the national bicycle/triathlon team
- Cyclists who are members of the bicycle team registered to UCI,
are not allowed to attend the race.

START REGULATIONS:

- The cyclists take positions according to the age categories at the start. The cyclists who violate this rule will be disqualified from the race. The positions are classified as follows:

1^st Group: Elite (18-34), Master (35-39), Master (40-44)

2^nd Group: Master (45-49), Master (50-54), Master (55-59). Master (60-64), Master (65+)

- According to the regulations of the federation, cyclists who are younger than 18 years old are not allowed to race in the general classification and they are not allowed to take position in the general start. Therefore, they assemble and line in an independent start.

- According to the regulations of the federation, cyclists who are registered to national long course(see section 6.3), line in an independent start.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE L'ETAP TÜRKIYE

7.1. Motorcycle Escort

7.1.1. The participants will be accompanied by a neutral motorcycle escort during the race in order to provide safety.
7.1.2. The motorcycle escort guarantees that regulations are followed and fulfils the following tasks:
- 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 an accident.
- Give a lead to the leader peloton.

RANKINGS

8.1. Overall Individual Ranking

The overall individual ranking divides into two: male and female. Based on this, there will be an "Overall Individual Ranking Men" and an "Overall Individual Ranking Women".

8.2. Ranking by Race Categories

The ranking by race categories divides into two: short and long courses. These rankings will be classified according to male and female, and age groups.

TIMING

9.1. Each participant's finishing time will be recorded individually and electronically.
9.2. The timing transponder issued upon accreditation has to be attached to the bike as instructed.
9.3. The start time for all participants is the time when the relevant start is given.
9.4. It is mandatory to return the electronic chip to the staff.

FEEDING DURING THE RACE

10.1. At least one feed zone will be set up in the short course at the Turkcell Gran Fondo Series. At least two feed zones will be set up in the long course at the Turkcell Gran Fondo Series. The feed zones will always be located on the right side of the road. The participants can benefit from the services provided at the feed zones only by stopping.
10.2. The feed zones will be marked on the right side of the road by sign posts at 5 km, 1 km, 500 m before the feed zones.
10.3. 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.
10.4. Taking food from escorting vehicles is not permitted. Any deviation from this rule shall be changed under certain weather conditions only and will be announced at the technical meeting 1 day before the race.
10.5. Riders must not accept food or drink from bystanders along the course or from their own support party.

DROPPING OUT OF THE RACE OR INTERRUPTION

11.1. If a rider has to drop out of 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, if he/she is not be on the right side. He/she has to wait for the escort vehicle and indicate, by raising his/her right arm indicating that assistance is needed.
11.2. Leaving the race course results in disqualification, even if the participant returns to the race course. Official feed zones are part of the race course.

OWN ESCORT VEHICLES AND HELP BY THIRD PARTIES

12.1. It is strictly prohibited that personal or team escort vehicles to drive inside the cordoned off race course.
12.2. 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.
12.3. External assistance is only allowed if there is a health problem or severe accident.

AVERAGE SPEED AND SAG WAGON

13.1. Feed zone transit times will be inspected by the race committee. Monitoring the state of traffic, the race committee, in coordination with the escorting police, may withdraw far-trailing participants from the race, who are riding below the specified average speed limit and that are unlikely to reach the feed zone at the specified time limit.
13.2. If a rider is (due to mechanical and health problems) unable to reach feed zone at the specified time limit, he/she has to withdraw from the race and get into the sag wagon upon request by the race organizers.
13.3. The instructions given by officials and the sag wagon staff should be strictly followed.
13.4. Riders who can’t reach the finish within the specified time limit will be disqualified and appear on the ranking list with the finishing time, but will not be ranked.

GENERAL RIDING REGULATIONS

14.1. 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 (see section 16).
14.2. Slip-streaming behind or holding onto motor vehicles is prohibited. This shall also apply while reinvolving in the race after crashes or defects.
14.3. The passing of food or refreshments among participants shall be allowed.
14.4. Any disposal 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 16). Every participant has to make sure that his waste and empty drinking bottles are disposed of in no other places than the feed zones along the race course or at the finish.

MATERIAL EXCHANGE AND DEFECT REPAIR

15.1. The exchange of tools and spare parts shall be permitted among the participants, whereas the exchange of wheels and racing bikes is strictly forbidden.
15.2. Bicycle repairs must be performed behind the group, on the right side of the road, in front of the service car, if available. The pavement on the right-hand side of the road (if available) should be used for carrying out repairs.

SANCTIONS IN CASE OF INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES

16.1. General
16.1.1. Penalties for offences may only be imposed by the race committee.
16.1.2. The penalties are based on the list in section 16.2. and shall be applied with no exceptions.
16.1.3. The race committee shall be entitled to impose sanctions also for offences not given in the list below. The penalty 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 list 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.
2- Defrauding the organizer by participating as an A or B license (see 6.3): Disqualification, removal from the rank and ban to race for 5 years.
3- Transfer of own race documents to another person to participate with: Banned to race for at least 3 years, lifetime ban if act was deliberate.
4- Defrauding the organizer by using another rider's timing chip: 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 staff: Disqualification and suspension for the 3 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.

RECORDING OF INFRINGEMENTS OF THE RULES

1- The organizer and the race committee record infringements of the rules at the start, during the race and in the finishing area.
2- The infringements recorded are saved in the form of a list of infringements.
3- Participants will apply to the organization committee by filling in the "objection form" found in the race office and adding possible evidence to the race committee for any violations of the rules they have witnessed or for any personal race results that they think is not correct. At the end of the race, objections will be examined by the organizing committee and the decision will be reported.

Rules and Regulations