Full details will be in the race manual issued to all competitors.
Essential Rider Summary – All Participants
- HQ opens at 4:30pm for sign on.
- Sign on closes 30 minutes prior to each race start time.
- Attach the transponder to the bottom of the front fork tightly with the zip tie.
- Attach both race numbers clearly visible, unfolded, LOW on the back, with the right number to the side.
- Please return your transponder, they are not easily replaceable. Non-returned transponders incur a £100 charge and BC fine.
- Bad language and bad behaviour will not be tolerated, we want to present our sport well.
- The course is ONE-WAY only, do not ride the opposite direction
- Roads around Colne are congested, especially so for the Grand Prix evening. Please allow plenty of time to arrive and park.
Event Location and Competitor Parking
For individual competitors, there are car parks close to the town centre:
- Nelson Street car park, opposite Colne Town Hall
- Behind Colne Library, accessed via Dockray Street
Access to the circuit is restricted by road closure between 15:00 and 23:00
Team Parking – green line on the map
Official National Series Race team vehicles, fully marked up with team graphics may park within the circuit at the bottom half of the Parliament Street car park, and must be in place before the 16:30pm cut off time. Access for team vehicles is through the barriers at the Skipton Road / Keighley Road end of the circuit, driving down Craddock road to the pit area entrance.
Space is required for the pit area and entry / exit of motorbikes during the event. There will be market stalls on the upper part of the car park area, limiting space. Please park responsibly, you may be asked to reduce the amount of space you use.
There will be no access to these areas for any unauthorised vehicles during the road closure period.
The Circuit
An 830metre closed road circuit within the town centre of Colne, with riders travelling clockwise. It is almost flat, very fast, with an Elite race lap time of around 1 minute.
Crowd barriers line both sides of the course, except at the pit area at the bus station on Craddock Road. The start and finish area is in Market Street, opposite Dockray Street.
Every effort has been made to ensure the road surface is as smooth as possible, uneven surfaces and ironwork remain on the race line. Please take care especially off the racing line.
Under no circumstances should you do a U-turn after your race – other riders will still be completing the course! Continue to the pit area to exit the course.
Sign On
Sign opens at the HQ at 4:30pm and closes 30 minutes prior to each race start time, after which reserves will be allocated a place
Riders must present a valid BC race licence. Race licences will be retained at HQ for the duration of the race and returned on receipt of the issued transponder.
Gear Checks
Youth A and B riders must present for a gear check outside race HQ before sign-on.
Gear restrictions are to BC technical regulations. Gear checks may be carried out following each race at the finish for selected riders.
Clothing
Registered team / club clothing must be worn by adult riders during the race and on the podium as specified in the BC regulations. Plain clothing is not a substitute for registered clothing.
Youth riders are requested to wear registered club / team clothing during the race and on the podium.
Electronic Timing
Riders will be issued with an electronic timing transponder.
- The transponder must be zip-tied tightly LOW DOWN on the front fork of the bike.
- Riders failing to attach the transponder may not be placed in the result.
The transponder chip MUST be returned to the HQ immediately after the race please.
A charge will be applied for each transponder not returned.
Race Numbers
Disposable race numbers will be issued.
- Two numbers MUST be worn on the OUTSIDE of clothing on the back.
- Do not fold, cut or deface either number in any way.
- Race numbers must be clearly visible at all times during the race.
- For the National series races, riders will be issued with a bike frame number.
If we cannot read your race numbers you may not be placed in the result.
Rider Briefing and Gridding
Riders will be briefed by the Commissaire team in Market Street. Please listen carefully. All competitors are expected to be familiar with British Cycling RaceSmart. After the rider briefing, gridded riders will be called to the start line, then all other riders will follow.
For the two National series races, gridding is as defined in the series regulations.
For the youth and support races, there is no gridding.
Pits
The Pit Area will be situated on Craddock Road in the Bus Station:
- TWO helpers per team entry are permitted into the pit area
- ONE helper per individual rider entry is permitted into the pit area
Mechanical Issues and Retiring – All Races
Riders retiring from the race, riders pulled out of the race, and riders needing mechanical assistance must continue on the circuit in the race direction and leave the circuit via the pits on Craddock Road on that lap.
Motorbikes – Camera and Moto Commissaire
A Camera motorbike will be in front of the National Series race, and may film the support race.
A moto commissaire may be used at the front of each race to assist with lapped riders and identify the leading riders.
Motorbikes will enter and exit the course in the pit area. It is essential that the pit area is kept clear. There is a also motorbike pull in point, set back just after the finish line.
Lapped Riders – National Series Regulations
In the event of rider(s) being lapped by the leading group, these lapped rider(s) will continue until three laps to go, sprint for a finish position, then withdrawn and placed in the result.
A rider will be considered lapped when the leading rider(s) make the junction with the rear of the group that they are within.
All riders when retiring from the race, whether individually or as a part of a group, must retire via the Pit Area and in no circumstances cross the finish line again, riders who insist on doing this will be penalised (unless instructed differently).
Lapped riders must not impede the progress of the lapping riders, nor must they manipulate the outcome of the race. Riders found to be deliberately flouting this regulation will be penalised. Lapped riders who fail to follow instructions from the Chief Commissaire or Commissaire Panel to withdraw will be disqualified.
The official’s decision is final.
Blue Flag
In the final three laps of the race, if a rider/group of riders are likely to be caught by the race leader(s) they will be shown a blue flag by a race official to indicate that they are about to be lapped. If shown the blue flag, riders must keep tight to the left hand side of the circuit to allow the safe and clear passage of the leading riders. For clarity, those riders must then continue until the final lap of the race to contest their finish.
The moto commissaire may assist with this blue flag process and barrage lapped riders to the LEFT of the circuit to allow safe passage of lapping groups. Riders MUST follow moto-commissaire instructions.
Lapped Riders – Support and Youth Races
Lapped riders will remain in the race.
Lapped riders MUST keep to the LEFT side of the road, out of the way of lapping riders, and allow lapping riders to pass safely. Lapped riders must NOT join, lead, pace, follow or interfere with the lapping riders.
The moto commissaire may barrage lapped riders to allow safe passage of lapping groups.
Incidents
The race may be stopped (Black flag) or neutralised (red cheque flag) in the event of an incident which presents a risk to participants or general public, or where the course becomes obstructed and/or rendered unsafe.
A moto-commissaire will assist and control any situation. Riders must follow instructions of the Commissaires.
The safety of competitors, public and officials is taken seriously, please adhere to instructions.
A stopped race will only be restarted by the Chief Commissaire when the circuit is authorised as clear by the Chief Safety officer. Gaps between main rider groups may be re-instated using timing system data where practical by the commissaire panel.
Red flags waved by marshals will indicate caution required.
Press
Interviews with selected riders may take place after each race with press and local radio.
First Aid
First aid will be located:
- Primary unit near the officials and VIP area just past the finish line.
- A number of supporting units around the circuit.
Anti-Doping
Riders in all races can be subject to anti-doping control. Facilities at race HQ (Colne Town Hall) will be available if required.
Prize Presentation and Prize List
The top THREE riders must be present at the podium after each race in Full Team Clothing.
For the youth race, the first 3 in each category – U14 Girls, U14 Boys, U16 Girls, U16 Boys must be present at the podium.