RACE INFORMATION

DATE

• November 1, 2024 (Friday)

  • Sign on Registration Starts at 05:45 AM

  • First Start at 06:30 AM

LOCATION

• Al Thakira Youth Center >> Click Here for Location<<

  • Al Thalira is located just north of Al Khor, around 45 to 60-minute drive from Doha.

  • The Youth Center is found just before entering the town, after the Woqod and Al Meera Supermarket.

PARKING

• There is parking inside and outside of the Al Thakira Youth Center.

FACILITIES

• There are changing facilities and toilets at the start, but NO toilets at the finish. After the race, everyone should head back to the start area.

EVENT TIMING

05:45 AM - Signon Registration Opens.

06:30 AM - (Group A) Elite Race Start

06:35 AM - (Group B) Amateur Race Start (Juniors, Seniors, Masters, Veterans) 

06:38 AM - (Group C) All Women + Cadet Start

09:30 AM - Estimated time for Medal Ceremony

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 y/o and above riders may race in either Elite/Open or on their Age Group category. 

MEN ELITE/OPEN CATEGORY GRADING GUIDE:

The following riders MUST enter the Elite category:

• Qatar National Team riders and elite athletes from any visiting country, whether active or inactive (Disqualification for infringement.)

• Grade A riders from the previous season, whether they won a podium or not.

• Grade B or Amateur riders who had won any podium position in any of the races from the previous seasons (2023/2024).

The following  riders SHOULD enter the Elite category:

• Any rider who averaged 39kph or higher during the previous races should enter the Elite/Open Category. Don't be a sandbagger! 

The organizer reserves the right to place any competitor in a deemed appropriate race grade based on all known results and other performance data.

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. 

TEAM COMPOSITION GUIDELINES

• Only QCTF-registered teams are allowed to enter the race with Team Classification ranking eligibility.

• Each team must have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 8 riders per race group.

• Every team member must hold a valid QCTF Race License for their individual points to be incuded in the Team Classification. Riders without a license can still participate, but their points will not count toward the team's total.

• Riders who register with an unregistered team will be listed individually without a team affiliation in the results.

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

1. 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.

2.  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.

3.  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.

4. 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.

5. WEAR A HELMET

6. 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.

7. DON'T GAIN ADVANTAGE FROM A VEHICLE (DSQ) - 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

(OTL) 'Out of Time Limit' Rule (For Elite Category)

For those who will compete in 'Group A', we would like to draw your attention to an important rule regarding the 'Out of Time Limit' policy for the Elite Category. This rule is following UCI regulations, specifically article 2.3.039.

Rule Overview:

Any rider in the Elite Category who finishes with a time exceeding 108% of the winner's time will not be eligible for placement. Under standard circumstances, the time limit is set at 108%, ensuring a competitive environment for all participants. However, it's important to note that the time limit may be subject to adjustment in exceptional circumstances. The commissaries panel will make such adjustments.

Computation Example:

Let's illustrate this rule with a hypothetical scenario:

• For example, the winner of the Elite Category completes the race in 2 hours (120 minutes).

• To calculate the time limit for the 'Out of Time Limit' rule, we use the formula: Winning Time x 108%.

  • Winning Time x 1.08 = Time Limit

  • 120 minutes x 1.08 = 129.6 minutes

• Any Elite rider finishing the race beyond 129.6 minutes (2 hours and 9.6 minutes) will be considered 'Out of Time Limit' and will not be placed. 

• OTL Riders will NOT earn points (Zero Points) for this stage.

Adjustments in Exceptional Circumstances:

In certain situations, the commissaires panel, in consultation with the organizers, may decide to adjust the time limit due to unforeseen factors such as challenging weather conditions or other exceptional circumstances. Any such adjustments will be communicated to the participants before the race or in a timely manner during the event.

SUPPORT VEHICLE

• Each group is accompanied by an 'OFFICIAL' support car which can provide water and assistance to reach the finish in case a rider is unable to continue.

• Official Support cars will stay with the main bunch, so if you are dropped, you can get help from the car in the group behind or the "Broom Wagon" at the back of the field. 

• In case of a mechanical problem, stop on the right side of the road and wait for assistance. Once fixed, you can continue your race, but you are not allowed to receive assistance from any moving vehicle (draft behind or hold any part of the vehicle.)

• You cannot take assistance from any moving vehicle. Ask the driver to stop if necessary. An "Official" support car in the race is required to assist any rider.   

• Only an "OFFICIAL" support vehicle will be allowed to follow the race. Spectators' vehicles and team support cars must NOT follow the race for safety purposes.

• Team Managers can leave any spare wheels OR ride in the "OFFICIAL" support cars (i.e., Mechanic Support & Broom Wagon).

ELIGIBILITY FOR POINTS

• Points will only be awarded to riders who hold a valid 2024/2025 Season QCTF Race License.

• Riders must Finish the race (Completed the Laps Required) to earn Points.

LEAGUE INDIVIDUAL 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.

TEAM CLASSIFICATION POINTS (Elite Men & Amateur Men Only)

• Only QCTF-Registered teams meeting the participation requirements are eligible to score in the series rankings.

• Points earned by team members contribute to the Team Classification in each race. 

• Points for each stage are calculated using the Top 3 Individual Results from the team. Teams must have at least three riders finish in the race to be eligible for team points.

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.

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.

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 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 08:00 PM on October 30 (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 ALREADY CLOSED

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A NICE RACE EVERYONE