RULES MEDITERRANEAN EPIC 2024

Introduction

The MEDITERRANEAN EPIC is an UCI Hors Catégorie (SHC) mountainbike stage race, composed of 4 stages marathon (XCM). It is an individual competition, although it includes a specific category to be able to participate also in pairs. Elite UCI riders may only participate individually.

The competition will be held on 8-9-10-11th of February 2024 in Oropesa del Mar and Castellón de la Plana.

The competition follows the technical and sporting norms of the UCI (International Cycling Union) mainly in the elite male and female UCI categories.

Weekend registration. As an option for those who can not compete all 4 days, there is the possibility of registering only in the last 2 stages on February 10th and 11th. This modality is out of UCI points and prizes.

1. Registration

You can check all the registration fees and details at the REGISTRATIONS page of this website.

  2.- Cancellation Insurance

There are 2 options to contract the Cancellation Insurance

Premium Insurance: While the registration process is open you can cancel at any time without giving any explanation or justification and 100% of the amount paid for the registration + contracted services will be refunded. If you cancel after the registration closes, the amount will not be refunded but the registration will be postponed to the following year’s edition.

Premium Insurance Price: 4 Stages 25€ ; Weekend 15€.

Basic Insurance: While the registration process is open you can cancel at any time by presenting a medical certificate that clearly indicates that you are unable to participate in the competition due to injury or illness. In this case 100% of the paid registration fee + contracted services will be refunded. If you cancel after the closing of registrations, no refund will be made nor will the registration be postponed to the following year’s edition.

Basic Insurance Price: 4 Stages 18€ ; Weekend 10€

It is essential to purchase the insurance at the time of registration for the sporting event. The amount paid for the insurance is not refundable. Please contact us per email (info@mediterraneanepic.com ) if you want to use your cancellation insurance.

No refunds of any kind will be made without cancellation insurance.

Discount vouchers: In the case of making a registration using an invitation or discount registration voucher, the beneficiary of this coupon will not be able to claim in any case the refund or credit of the registration or the amount not paid or discounted by the use of the coupon. Registrations made using this type of voucher are personal and non-transferable and can never be carried over from one edition to the next. Registrations made with invitation vouchers are exempt from the cancellation insurance coverage.

3. Race categories

3.1. Participants can register in any of the following CATEGORIES. The ages are calculated in reference to the age of the participant on December 31 of the year of the competition:

Elite women : A woman who must be 19 years or older. Must have an approved ELITE or U23 cycling license. 

Master Women . A woman who must be 30 or older. Must have an approved Master License for racing cycling.

Elite Men : A man who must be 19 years or older. Must have an approved ELITE or U23 cycling license.

Master 30 men . A man who must be between 30 and 39 years old. Must have an approved Master License for racing cycling.

Master 40 men . A man who must be between 40 and 49 years old. Must have an approved Master License for racing cycling.

Master 50 men . A man who must be between 50 and 59 years old. Must have an approved Master License for racing cycling.

Master 60 men . A man who must be 60 years old or older. Must have an approved Master License for racing cycling.

2 Person Teams . 2 participants of the same sex or mixed, who must be 18 years or older. Participants competing in Couples will do it only in this modality and will not classify individually in their category. Elite UCI riders can not participate in this modality. If one of the members retired of the competition, the other member is allowed to take the start the next stages, but won’t have any option to individual trophee or classification. The Team time is the one done by the second biker entering at the finish line. The 2 team members can not finish the stage with a time difference higher than 1 minute. If this is the case, the time for the team will be the time done by the second member plus a penalty of 30 minutes.

3.2. These categories will only be established if at least three people start in each category.

3.3. Participants with a Master license will not be able to compete in the UCI Elite categories. Participants with a Elite license will not be able to compete in the Master categories.

3.4 U23 riders will be included in the Elite Category, forming a mixed category of Elite + U23

4. Check-in

4.1. Check-in and reception will take place on Wednesday 7th of february from 4:30 pm to 9:00 pm. 

4.2. Race numbers are assigned according to each category by order of registration and the last UCI ranking update into effect at that moment.

4.3. During the check-in, an identification bracelet will be given to all participants, who must wear it upon reception and throughout the entire competition. This bracelet allows access to areas reserved for participants and ensures compliance with security measures.

4.4. Weekend Option: Check-in and bib pick-up for weekend participants will take place on Friday 10th of February from 5.00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

5.  Team Managers Meetings

5.1. Every day in the afternoon there will be a technical briefing explaining the route and important safety points of the next stage. The assistance is limited to the team manager (UCI) and just 1 member per team. This meeting will be video streamed so you will also be able to attend virtually.

5.2. All changes will be announced on the race news board, and it will be the responsibility of the participants to keep informed. The Facebook page of the race will also inform about all the important news.

6. Race Procedure

6.1. This competition follows the general regulations of the UCI and the specific UCI mountain bike regulations

6.2. After each stage, the results of the race will be published on the web and Facebook page, the general classification and the list of departures for the following day.

6.3. There are different start grills depending on the overall classification of the race. The first day, the starting grid will be sorted by category and number

6.4. The start grill will be opened 20-30 minutes before the departure time depending on stage.

6.5. Five minutes before the start time, no participant is allowed access to the starting grid and must be placed in the back of the corresponding starting group.

6.6. No participant can take the start once the official start has been given, unless a Commissaire allows it. Participants who take the start after that time will be considered DNS (Did Not Start).

6.7. Each way point, cross section, feed/aid station, start and finish have a maximum time allowance, at which the service is closed. The time to reach these points is announced in the competition’s Road book.

6.8. Any illicit aid involves the disqualification of the participant. Any aid out of the Technical Zone involves disqualification. People and vehicles without accreditation won’t be able to access the Technical Zones. Accreditations have to be required to the Organization at the registration.

6.9. Participants who are no longer officially classified may continue to participate in the race in a recreational way as long as they do not influence the development of the competition. Not obeying this rule leads to the expulsion of the race, without the chance of continuing.

7. Neutralised starts

8. Neutralised arrivals

8.1. For safety reasons the finish line may be located before the asphalt section. If this occurs, a period of time will be set to complete the distance between the finish line and the paddock. Any delay in arrival to the paddock will incur 1 minute penalty for each minute of delay.

9. Route

9.1. The competition will be raced in 4 days and will have the following routes : (provisional route information)

• Stage 1, Thursday, Time Trial Oropesa: 19km ; 600m D+
• Stage 2, Friday, Castelló-Castelló: 80km; 2.150m D+
• Stage 3, Saturday, Oropesa-Oropesa: 104km; 2.200m D+
• Stage 4, Sunday, Oropesa-Oropesa: 52km; 1.150m D+

9.2. This route will be properly marked with marks, especially in the points of conflict, such as crosses or streets.

9.3. The route will be open to traffic but properly controlled. Participants should follow the directions of the traffic authorities and volunteers of the Organization and circulate with caution. On open roads, cyclists should cycle on the right.

9.4. The route includes demanding climbs and sections with technical descents. It is the responsibility of the participant to decide which section is cyclable for their level. The organization is not responsible for accidents related to each participant’s skill or level of fitness.

9.5. During the route are established some Control Points (CP) . Omitting a CP involves disqualification.

9.6. Abandoning the route marked by the organization supposes the disqualification.

9.7. All participants must remain within the natural limits of the roads, without making cutbacks or taking shortcuts.

10. Feed and tech zones

10.1. Feed and aid zones are properly sign posted all throughout the route. These have everything necessary to cover the participants’ food and hydration needs during the stage.

10.2. Feed zones match team’s aid stations, otherwise noted.

10.3. In order to entry to the feedzone you will have to wear the respective accreditation .

10.4. Official UCI teams will have a BOX reserved at each Feed Zone. The rest of the teams must assist their riders outside the area reserved for UCI teams.

11. Markings

11.1. The race will be marked with signs of direction arrows. Although no GPS device is required to follow the route, it is advisable to use it. The Organization will facilitate the tracks to the participants in electronic format.

11.2. Every ten kilometers the distance to the goal will be indicated. The last kilometer will also be indicated to the finish line.

12. Non Cyclable Section

12.1. The commissaires and the race director will be able to decide if any part of the route is not cyclable and is impossible to clear. In this case the route can be diverted in other places provided by the organization.

12.2. If it is not possible to finish, the end time will be the last control point passed.

13. Withdrawing

13.1. Any participant who withdraws must inform the organization as soon as possible.

13.2. Failure to report a withdrawal will result in expulsion from the competition.

13.3. In case of accident or emergency, and taking into account the safety of the participants, the organization reserves the right to force the withdrawal of a participant from the competition.

14. Results

14.1. The results of each stage are set according to the time required to complete each of the stages, plus the penalties.

14.2. The total time of the completed stages and the total penalty time determine the final classifications.

14.3. The following classifications are established:

• Elite women
• Master Women
• Elite Men
• Master 30 Men
• Master 40 Men 
• Master 50 Men 
• Master 60 Men

• Teams of 2

14.4. There is a result list for UCI Elite women and men (including U23), in order to award these participants with UCI points and prize money.

14.5. Any participant who does not officially complete a stage is not considered a Finisher.

14.6. All participants have a single-use chip to be able to record their times and follow up. Commissioners must approve these times to validate the results.

WEEKEND option (2 days)

The weekend option is disputed only in the stages of Saturday and Sunday and is focused on those bikers who can not complete the whole race. This modality does not include UCI points or money prizes.  The start of each stage will take place 15-30 minutes after the start of the UCI race (4 days).

There will be only one podium at the end of the race (not after each stage), and the first 3 of the same categories as in the 4-day race.

15. Awards

15.1. Each stage has an award ceremony for each category.

15.2. The first three participants in each category and the corresponding leaders of the event, have a podium ceremony, which is mandatory.

15.3. At the final prize draw, the top three finishers in each category of the overall standings are called immediately to the podium, once all have crossed the finish line.

15.4. Money prizes and UCI XCM points are awarded only to Elite UCI categories at the Mediterranean Epic after the final race results. U23 riders will be included in the Elite Category, forming a mixed category of Elite + U23 

15.5. The prize money will be paid by transfer the days after the end of the event. Participants with prizes must fill out and send the form and documentation required and which will be available at the race website. Participants who do not properly send the documentation and form for the payment of cash prizes within 30 days after the end of the race, it will be understood that they refuse the cash prize and will lose their right to collect.

PRIZE MONEY:  

POINTS:  

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16. Bicycle

16.1. The bicycle must comply with the regulations of the UCI, both in terms of technical characteristics and safety measures.

16.2. Participants can change the bike each stage but can not be completely replaced or changed during a stage.

16.3. Bicycles left at the official parking lot of the race may only be removed by the participants wearing the bracelet with the corresponding number and matching the bicycle.

16.4. Tandems are not allowed.

16.5. E-bikes are not allowed . (only for staff of the organization)

17. Equipment

17.1. It is mandatory to compete with the number plate assigned by the organization. The number plate must be placed on the front of the bicycle and on the back of the participant. Both must be clearly visible and can not be modified. The electronic chip can not be modified and should be placed where the organization indicates.

17.2. All leaders of the overall classification must wear the leading jersey, delivered by the organization. The leader jersey has a blank space both front and back reserved for the participant’s sponsors.

17.3. It is the responsibility of the participant to place their sponsors in the reserved space of the leader’s jersey.

17.4.  XCM National and World Champions have to wear their champions jersey. It does not apply for XCO

17.5. For safety reasons it is recommended to carry a mobile phone.

17.6. It may be necessary in some stages to wear certain warm clothes (waterproof, thermal leggings, etc.). The choice of material is the responsibility of the participants.

18. Sport and nature

18.1. Mountain Biking is a competitive sport or leisure activity that takes place in a natural environment and the impact it can have on the environment is the responsibility of all participants and organizers. It is strictly forbidden to litter along the route. Participants should be respectful of the environment (do not pedal off the road and do not take shortcuts that could damage the vegetation), be careful with the animals, etc.

18.2. The commissaires and the race director reserve the right to disqualify any participant who does not respect the environment or the private properties that are crossed during the race, and to expel him or give him a time penalty without possibility of continuing to participate in the competition in case of littering along the course.

18.3 It is MANDATORY to mark your energy gels/bars with your race number. To do so, we have provided a marker in your race bag. At the start line there will be a random control. It is not permitted to enter the start box with non-marked gels/bars

19. Considerations

19.1. Any participant may be subjected to an anti-doping control following the UCI regulations.

19.2. All participants should be respectful of other cyclists, commissars, members of the organization, journalists and spectators.

19.3. The route where the competition takes place is drawn exclusively for the race and the diffusion of the track is not allowed.

19.4. The commissaires reserve the right to disqualify any participant who does not respect these considerations, and to expel him without the possibility of continuing to participate in the competition.

19.5. All participants transfer their image rights to the organization, which can use any photograph or video that comes from the competition.

19.6. The organization is not responsible for any expenses or debts incurred by participants during the course of the event.

19.7. If necessary and under major circumstances, the organisation has the right without previous notice and in order to guarantee the event’s proper development and safety (participants, Commissaires, staff, etc.), to delay a start time, alter its schedule, and/or modify or cancel a stage.

19.8. The Organization will not be able to give the start in case of a fire emergency situation  (according to current legislation in the Valencian region). In that case, this stage would be suspended without any possibility of any claim against the organizer as it is a subject outside their jurisdiction.

20. Complaints

20.1. The complaints must be formally submitted to the Commissaires and processed according to the UCI regulations.

21. Paddock

21.1. Teams and trademarks must reserve the space in advance by contacting the email info@publicomsportevents.es

PADDOCK prices are as follows:

21.2. No participant or team assistant can camp or spend the night in the paddock unless authorized by the organization.

22.3. The organization does not guarantee water and electricity to the teams settled in the paddock, which must be self-sufficient.

REGISTRATION IN THE MEDITERRANEAN EPIC IMPLIES THE ACCEPTANCE AND COMPLIANCE WITH THIS REGULATION, THE DATA PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND THE CANCELLATION POLICY.