Racing Rules
AHCC RACING RULES
Safety and respect
Road Races held on open roads, as is done by AHCC, are subject to risks to riders, volunteers and officials, spectators, and other road users.
Safety and respectful behaviour are paramount and are core values of the club. All riders are required to participate in AHCC events safely, respectfully, and in accordance with the Road Rules as they apply in South Australia.
Races conducted by AHCC are subject to the AusCycling Code of Conduct, Rules and Regulations available HERE. In particular, note ‘Code of General Conduct’ under the ‘Codes of Conduct’ section, and the policies under the ‘Sports Policies and Technical Regulations’ section, especially the document ‘Technical Regulations – General’.
In addition to these AusCycling Codes, Rules and Regulations, at AHCC events:
Accidents
If an accident occurs in a bunch, then all riders in that bunch must stop and give assistance to the fallen rider(s) by calling for First Aid and Commissaire support, protecting the rider(s) from harm, and administering first aid as appropriate while waiting for both a Commissaire and First-Aider to arrive.
If an accident occurs during a race involving a solo rider, the first rider to arrive at the scene, regardless of grade, must stop and give assistance (as above). Any other subsequent riders should also stop if they consider that their assistance may be required.
Riders can only re-start racing once cleared by a Commissaire. An injured rider can only re-start if also cleared by the First-Aider in attendance. If not cleared to re-start racing, an injured rider must not attempt to ride back to the race base-point: transport will be provided.
If it’s not the last lap when the incident occurs, and there are other riders in the grade still racing, then riders who have stopped and re-started can join on the back of the lead bunch when they come around again and contest the finish as normal, even though they will have done less laps. The Commissaire in attendance will take names and numbers of these riders and pass this on to the timekeepers to make timing system adjustments.
If it’s the last lap when the incident occurs and there is no lead bunch to re-join, then riders who have stopped can, once cleared to re-start, compete for any remaining places although it is acknowledged that, in some situations, this may result in riders being unable to compete for the win, but we all must prioritise helping others.
Riders who fail to stop as required in this racing rule may be relegated or removed from the results.
If this is a major event (such as the Tour of Goolwa), the Commissaire Panel will make a decision on times for those who have stopped, taking into account the circumstances.
Commissaire briefing
For bunch-based racing (such as graded scratch races), riders must be at the start line no less than 5 minutes before their scheduled start time to receive the Commissaire briefing.
Any riders who arrive at the start line after the Commissaire’s briefing has begun will be held back until the main group has started. The Commissaire will then give the late arrivals the briefing after which the Commissaire will allow them to start (noting that they will start with a gap to make up on the bunch who started at the scheduled time).
For time trial events (including hill climbs), if a rider arrives late (more than 5 minutes from their start time), the Chief Commissaire may allow the rider to start at another time slot and may also impose a time penalty.
Crossing a traffic lane dividing line
Crossing a traffic lane dividing line on the road, whether a double line, single continuous line, or broken line, is prohibited unless specifically approved by the Chief Commissaire (for reasons such as traffic being stopped at the finish to allow riders to use both sides of the road). On roads with no traffic lane dividing line, crossing the centre of the road on the right is prohibited.
Dangerous riding
Riding in a dangerous manner that puts the rider, other riders, volunteers, officials, spectators, other road users, or the general public, at unnecessary risk of harm is prohibited.
Hands on handlebars
Taking both hands off the handlebars at any time is prohibited. At least one hand must be kept on the handle bars at all times.
Victory salutes are discouraged but, if done, must be with one hand on the handlebars.
Passing motor vehicles
Passing, on either the left or the right, of motor vehicles travelling in the same direction is prohibited. Riders must wait until such a vehicle has moved on or has both indicated and pulled over to the left to allow riders to pass safely without crossing a lane dividing line or crossing the centre of the road where no dividing line is present.
Team tactics
Unless otherwise specified, AHCC races are individual events and team tactics must not be used.