Losail Sports Complex Crit. 2024

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 format of this race is Fixed Laps. When the race leader crosses the finish line, everyone else is placed on the finish order and how many laps they have completed.

This is a "Bunch" race, not a group ride, and you should have confidence riding in a group before taking part in this race.

NOTE: Race Points earned from this event will count towards the Night Criterium Series League Points and Ranking.

RESULT

Congratulations to all the podium finishers.

Click here to view the Result

DATE: October 25, 2024 (Friday)

LOCATION: The road in between Lusail Multipurpose Hall and Lusail Shooting Club <Click Here for Location>

PARKING & TOILETS: Lusail Multipurpose Hall - Gate no. 8 Parking

HOW TO GET THERE:

EVENT TIMING

05:30 AM - Sign On Registration Opens

06:30 AM to 10:00 AM - ROAD CLOSED (Race Route) FOR CAR TRAFFIC

06:30 AM - Race 1 Start - Wave Released @ 2 minutes Interval

Race 1-A (7 Laps): Men Masters + Men Veterans
Race 1-B (7 Laps): All Women
Race 1-C (5 Laps): Cadets + Cubs

08:00 AM (or Earlier) - Race 2 Start (Long loop) - Wave Released @ 4 minutes Interval

Race 2-A (9 Laps): Men Elite
Race 2-B (9 Laps): Men Under 40 + Men Juniors

9:30 AM - Est. 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. Do Not Pass the Timing Loop if you are not part of the ongoing race.

ROUTE

View the Route on Google Maps

LONG LOOP (for All Races)

A flat Route with a Lap Distance of 6.33 km

RACES & GRADES

QCF continues to adapt the age group categories 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 JUNE 30, 2025, will determine which Age Group you will belong to (2024/2025 Season Age).
As part of their development, National Team Cadets and Junior Riders can join a higher age group.
40 years old and above riders may race in either Elite/Open or on their Age Group category.

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 from the previous season (whether they won a podium or not) should register in the Elite/Open category.
- Grade B or Amateur riders who had won any podium position from any of the races from the previous seasons (2023/2024) 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.

NOTE: LAP DISTANCE = 6.33 km

RACE NO. 1 -A: 7 Laps (44.3 km) - START @ 06:30 AM

Men Masters (40-49) + Men Veterans (50+)

RACE NO. 1 -B: 7 Laps (44.3 km) - START @ 06:32 AM

All Women

RACE NO. 1-C: 5 Laps (31.6 km) - START @ 06:34 AM

Cadets & Cubs

RACE NO. 2 -A: 9 Laps (56.9 km) - START @ 08:00 AM

ELITE/OPEN

RACE NO. 1 -B: 9 Laps (56.9 km) - START @ 08:04 AM

Men Under 40 + Men Juniors

** RACE ASSIGNMENT and START TIMES are subject to change depending on the number of participants in each category.

QCTF SEASON 2024-2025 RACE LICENSE

While having a race license is not mandatory for this event, holders of a valid QCTF Race License will enjoy the benefits of the following:

Waiving of the Day License Fee: Non-QCTF race license holder will be charged with the Day License Fee upon registration online OR on the race day (pay by card.)
Eligibility for Series Points: Only QCTF Race License holders are eligible to earn points toward the Criterium League Rankings for this season.

If you wish to obtain a QCTF Race License, please apply before registering for this race.

How to Apply: Click [HERE] to apply for your QCTF Race License.
Need Assitance?: For further information or to follow up on your application and race license number, please contact John via WhatsApp or get in touch with QCTF directly.

Apply for your 2024-2025 QCTF Membership and Race License

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 apply for a QCTF Race License (or pay the Day License) and 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.
Your Bikes should be race-ready. Take note that the Bike Mechanic will only be available in the Start/Finish Area and will not follow the race.

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 is illegal and will result in DSQ. Unnecessary braking, riding without care, or forceful physical contact are 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 DSQ 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-A where 7 Laps are required, when the race leader has done the 5th 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 category in a single start takes place on the circuit at the same time (for example, Race 1-A Start has Men Masters + Men Veterans), all races finish when the first rider (leader - regardless of category) 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.

BRAKE HOOD INCLINATION RULE (based on the updated UCI Regulations)

To maintain safety and proper functionality, the alignment of the Brake Hood Body is crucial.
The center place of the Brake Hood Body must align with the center plane of the Traditional Handlebars (Drop Area).
The maximum allowable inclination between the two planes is 10 degrees.
Read the UCI Rules HERE

AWARDS & CRITERIUM LEAGUE POINTS AND RANKING

EACH RACE PODIUM AWARDS

Podium Medals: for podium winners in each category

CRITERIUM LEAGUE POINTS SYSTEM

To determine the overall League Standings, riders will earn points based on their finishing position in each race of the series. Points will be awarded as follows:

ELIGIBILITY FOR POINTS

Points will only be awarded to riders who hold a valid QCTF Race License.
Riders must Finish the race to earn Points.

LEAGUE STANDINGS CALCULATION

Points earned in each race will be cumulative throughout the series.
Rider's total points will be used to determine the overall League Ranking.

END OF SERIES AWARDS

League Winners: At the end of the series, the rider with the most points in each category will be crowned as the League Champion.
Cash Prizes and Trophies: League Champions will receive cash prizes and trophies.

TEAM CLASSIFICATION

Note: Individual Ranking Only, Team Classification is NOT APPLICABLE for the Criterium League.

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.

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

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

FOR NON-QCTF MEMBERS & NON-LICENSE HOLDERS

50 QAR - Race Entry Fee will be charged upon registering online
30 QAR - Day License Fee will be charged as well (can be paid on-site 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.

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.

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 06:00 PM on October 23 (WEDNESDAY EVENING). 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.
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

START LIST

Check the Start List and memorize your Bib Number for an easy race kit collection on race day.

Click here to view the Start List

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