QCF Night Criterium Race #1

Diverging from the limelight of triathlons and sportives, the Qatar Cycling Federation is reclaiming the night with the revival of the Night Criterium series, marking its return with the first night race on Monday, December 11. The action unfolds in the North-West corner outside Lusail Circuit Sports Club, promising a dynamic revival of speed, skill, and cycling enthusiasm.

ABOUT THE RACE

A criterium is a short and speedy road race, usually less than 35 km and lasting under an hour over a multi-lap course, often for a fixed time or laps rather than distance. The excitement never stops – as soon as one move is caught, another begins. If it works, the race is on, leading up to a sprint finish. It's intense, it's fast, and it's a lot of fun. These races offer a laid-back vibe, perfect for some quick training and gaining valuable race experience.

The race is on, and the Night Criterium is back to reclaim its place in the heart of Qatar's cycling scene!

START LIST

Know your race number by checking the START LIST
Collect your own race number and timing chip.
Have your QCF License or Qatar ID ready as a deposit for your timing chip.

View the START LIST

RESULT

The Result will be available immediately after the Race is Completed.

Click here after the race is finished

DATE: December 11, 2023

LOCATION: North-West Corner outside Lusai Circuit Sports Club <Click Here for Location>

PARKING: Please park on the OFF ROAD areas, not on the Asphalt.

HOW TO GET THERE:

EVENT TIMING

05:00 pm - Sign On Registration Opens

05:45 PM to 06:15 PM - Race 1 Start (Short Loop; 12 Laps Race): Cadets & Cubs

06:30 PM to 07:15 PM - Race 2 Start (Long Loop; 8 Laps Race): Men ELITE

07:30 PM to 08:15 PM - Race 3 Start (Long Loop; 7 Laps Race): All Other Categories (Men & Women)

08:30 PM - Medal Ceremony

** These timings and Race Assignments are subject to change depending on the number of participants in each category.

** Please avoid warming up on the race course when a race is in progress. Use the road (Street 1705) parallel to the Olympic Track for Warm Up purposes while a race is in progress on the race course.

RACES & GRADES

This season, QCF adapts the age group categoroes designed to provide a more inclusive and competitive experience to all participants, while retaining the ability-based grading approach for the Men Elite/Open category
Your age on December 31, 2023, will determine which Age Group you will belong.
MEN ELITE/OPEN CATEGORY GRADING GUIDE:
- Any national team riders and elite athletes from any visiting country, whether active or inactive, MUST ASSIGN THEMSELVES to the Men Elite category. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.
- Grade A riders (whether they won a podium or not) from the previous season should register themselves in the Elite/Open category.
- Grade B riders who had won any podium position from any of the previous races from the previous two seasons (2021/2022 & 2022/2023) should register themselves to the Elite/Open category.
- Don't be a sandbagger! Any rider who averaged 39kph or higher during the previous races should enter the Elite/Open Category.
- The organizer reserves the right to place any competitor in a deemed appropriate race grade based on all known results and other performance data.

RACE #1 (Short Loop 1.68 km, 12 Laps race) Start @ 05:30 PM

Single Start: Cadets U17 (15-16) + Cubs U15 (13-14)

RACE #2 (4.75km Loop, 8 Laps Race) Start @ 06:30 PM or earlier

Single Start: Men Open/Elite (Grade A Riders)

RACE #3 (4.75km Loop, 7 Laps race) Start @ 07:30 PM or earlier

First Start: Men Amateur U40 + Men Junior (17-18)

Second Start: Men Masters (40-49) + Men Veterans (50+)
Third Start: Women U40 (19-39) + Women 40+ (40 & Up)

** RACE ASSIGNMENT has been updated due to the actual number of participants registered in each category

QCTF SEASON 2023-2024 RACE LICENSE

Applications for QCTF Membership for season 2023-2024 are now open. Register as a member to get your QCTF Race License Number for this season. Although a Race License is not mandatory for this race, You don't need to pay the Race Day License fee on race day if you have one. Click the button below to apply for your QCTF Membership and Race License. For more information and follow-up for your membership application & race license number, WhatsApp OSMAN SALEH of QCTF

Apply for your 2023-2024 QCTF Membership and Race License

ROUTE

View the Route on Google Maps

SHORT LOOP (for Race #1)

Flat Route with Lap Distance: 1.68 KM

LONG LOOP (for RACE #2, 3 & 4)

Flat Route with Lap Distance is 4.75 km

RULES & ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBILITY

The races are open to anyone. It is not necessary to have a Qatar ID or be a resident of Qatar. However, Visiting Athletes from another country should notify us, provide proper identification, and subject themselves to screening.

EQUIPMENT

This race is for Road Bikes only. TT, triathlon bikes, hybrids, and MTBs are not allowed, and clip-on aero bars must be removed.
Clipless pedals and cycling shoes are mandatory for safety purposes.

IMPORTANT RULES

FOLLOW THE COURSE - Marshals and signs are there to help, but it's your responsibility to follow the course. Typically, races follow the road rules. That means staying in the right lane and taking roundabouts anti-clockwise unless indicated by signage or race briefing.
UNOFFICIAL VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO JOIN THE RACE - Only Authorized and official support vehicles are allowed to be on the race course and follow the race. Spectators and team support cars are not allowed on the course and must not follow the race.
YOUR BIKE MUST BE SAFE - You are not allowed to use a bike equipped with aero bars or that has unplugged bar ends. The official will also look at brakes, headset, and tire wear when there is a bike check.
RIDE SAFELY RESPECTING OTHERS - Riding in an aero position, Unnecessary braking, riding without care, or forceful physical contact is all dangerous. Riders deemed as the direct, indirect, or even just potential cause of an accident may be pulled from the race. You must practice before joining a race if you lack experience riding in a group.
WEAR A HELMET
DON'T JOIN ANOTHER RACE - In multi-lap races such as criteriums, you may not gain an advantage by joining riders who did not start at the same time as you started. In any race, if you are dropped, you may join riders from other grades but may not play an active part in their race, e.g., be the lead rider, close down breaks, etc.
DON'T GAIN ADVANTAGE FROM A VEHICLE - Drafting a passing truck, police, or support vehicle is cheating. Should you stop for a mechanical problem, stop on the right side of the road and wait for assistance from official support vehicles. You can get mechanical assistance from them. Still, they are not allowed to give draft assistance if you have been dropped, and you are not permitted draft, to ride in the vehicle or hold any part of the vehicle.
LITTERING - Can you get a DQ for throwing a gel wrapper? Yes. Police support and use of many venues depend on leaving the course clean. Littering is taken very seriously.
DON'T RIDE WITH HEADPHONES - You need your full attention on the race and awareness of what is happening around you. You must not use a phone, listen to music, use headphones, or be distracted by any other device while riding.
LISTEN TO THE RACE BRIEFING - Race briefings emphasize the essential safety points on the course. Nine times out of ten, they repeat stuff you already read in the race information, but sometimes there are last-minute changes that are vital to know about. If they are about safety or course changes, you could easily find yourself with a DQ. If English isn't your first language, study the race information, read the rule book, listen to the briefing extra carefully, and ask if you need help understanding. Not knowing is no excuse.

FINISHING THE RACE

The race finishes on completion of the lap required by the FASTEST COMPETITOR (race leader) in each race.
- For example, In Race #1 where 12 Laps are required, when the race leader has done the 10th lap, the riders are advised of two laps remaining. After completing one more lap, the last lap bell is rung and the winner is the first person to cross the line.
- When more than one start takes place on the circuit at the same time (for example, first-start: Cadets, second-start: Women), all races finish when the first rider (leader) completes the required Laps. In some circumstances, you may be passed (overlapped) by the race leader as they complete their final lap but before you have been 'given the bell'. In this case, your race ends when you cross the finish line.
- The Golden Rule is when the Race Leader finishes, everyone stops racing when they pass the finish line.

COMPLAINTS & PROTESTS

Complaints should be submitted within 15 minutes of the end of the race to the race jury using a form that will be available at the finish line.
It will assist with your complaints if:
- You can provide solid evidence.
- You can identify the rider BY NUMBER.
- You can be as precise as possible about the details.
- You have your complaint corroborated by a witness.

Where possible, complaints will be assessed by a UCI-qualified official and one other race official. Team Managers may also be involved if deemed appropriate.

APPEALS

Protested riders or officials have the right to appeal any complaint made against you before a final decision is made.
The Jury's decision is final, and you should respect their decision.

AWARDS

Medals for podium winners in each category.
Gift Packs courtesy of Al Ghariya Cycling.

EMERGENCY

EMERGENCY CONTACT

QCF Nurse Elena (3151 1881). Save and Call this number to arrange for medical assistance.

ABANDONING THE RACE

Please ensure that you inform a race official if abandoning the race. Doing so means no time is wasted looking for you, and we know everyone is safe. Remember to return your timing chip and race number.

RACE DAY SIGN-ON

At the sign-on desk, you sign your name to confirm your attendance, pay any outstanding fees if necessary and collect your timing chip and race number. PLEASE RETURN BOTH (Timing Chip & Race Number) AT THE END OF YOUR RACE.
It is mandatory that all participants provide their ID (QID or Passport) in order to claim the race kit. NO EXEMPTION.

TO MAKE EVERYTHING WORK SMOOTHLY

Know your race number by checking the START LIST (will be available by February 16)
Collect your own race number and timing chip.
Have your Qatar ID ready as a deposit for your timing chip.

ATTACHING THE TIMING CHIP

We use chip timing to produce results. Your chip must be attached correctly to guarantee that you will receive lap & finish time and rank.

Use cable ties to securely fasten the timing chip at the bottom of either fork.
Be careful not to wrap cable ties through the spokes.
You may not get a reading if the timing transponder is placed higher on the fork, in your pocket, or on the handlebar.
Cut off excess cable ties for neatness and to prevent interference with spokes.

NUMBER PLACEMENT

You MUST wear a number, which must not be cut or folded.
Backup timing relies on being able to read your number.
Pin your number where it can be seen. Pin your number at the bottom of your shirt over the center or Right Pocket so it can be read from behind.

ENTRY FEES

FOR QCTF MEMBERS & LICENSE HOLDERS

70 QAR - Race Entry Fee will be charged upon registering online.

FOR NON-QCTF MEMBERS & NON-LICENSE HOLDERS

70 QAR - Race Entry Fee will be charged upon registering online.
30 QAR - Day License Fee - Pay on Race Day by Card Payment.

FOR CADETS & CUBS NON-NATIONAL TEAM

50 QAR - Flat Rate

NOTE:

In case you need to pay for a DAY License, Please bring your Debit or Credit Card as we will only accept CARD PAYMENT.

Free Entry for Current and Former National Team Riders. (Please WhatsApp JOHN BONALOS for more details.)
Entries are accepted through Online Registration only.

ONLINE REGISTRATION

CAUTION: This is a "BUNCH" race, not a group ride, and you should have confidence riding in a group before taking part in this race.
To enter this race, you must register online by clicking the button below. There is no entry accepted on race day, and you cannot use another rider's entry.
Online Registration closes at 08:00 PM on December 10 (SUNDAY NIGHT). This is to provide the Official Start List on time. Beyond this time, a late entry fee (+50 QAR) will be charged for those who would like to pre-register after the deadline.

START LIST

Know your race number by checking the START LIST
Collect your own race number and timing chip.
Have your QCF License or Qatar ID ready as a deposit for your timing chip.

View the START LIST

RESULT

The Result will be available immediately after the Race is Completed.

Updated Result will be available after race finished

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