The rules and regulations pertaining to The MTN Panorama Tour 2012 may change slightly in the weeks leading up to the race. The final version will be communicated at the race briefing on 27th April 2012. The rules pertain to both the Tour and the Lite unless otherwise indicated.

Two person team racing is a different concept to the norm and competitors are expected to participate with an understanding and acceptance of the unique rules governing the team concept.

1. Riders

• All Tour riders must be at least 17 years or older on 31 December 2012 unless permission is granted by the Chief Commissaire.

• All riders must be healthy, and in a very fit state of training.

• All riders must have good technical bike skills and a reasonable level of fitness for four days of riding.

2. Categories

(Professional riders may only team up with amateurs)

The following categories will be allocated to teams riding in the Tour:

• Open Men (Two males of any age 17 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Mixed (one male/one female of any age 17 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Women (two female riders of any age 17 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Sub Veteran (Team members to be between 30 and 39 years of age at 31 December 2012)

• Veteran (Team members to be between 40 and 49 years of age at 31 December 2012)

• Masters (Team members to be 50 years or older at 31 December 2012)

• Tandem (Two riders of any age and gender 17 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Grand Master 60+  (Team members to be 60 years or older at 31 December 2012)

Note : where team members fall into different age categories, the team shall race in the category of the younger team member.

NB!

Where minimal numbers of teams enter a particular category, the following rule will apply to the allocation of category prizes for the overall race

One or 2 teams – no prize, but a certificate of commendation.

Three teams – 1st prize only

Four teams – 1st and 2nd prizes

Five or more teams – 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes

The organisers of the MTN Panorama Tour reserve the right to amend the prize money at their discretion.

 

Categories for the Lite two day ride: (no prize money for this event)

• Open Men (Two males of any age 15 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Mixed (one male/one female of any age 15 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Women (two female riders of any age 15 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

• Tandem (Two riders of any age and gender 15 years or older as at 31 December 2012)

3. Medical Condition

• Participants may only start any stage of this race if they are in good physical and medical condition.
• During The Panorama Tour, the Senior Medical Officer reserves the right to withdraw any participant who he may deem physically or psychologically incapable of continuing with the race.

4. Registration

• Registration will take place at the Barnyard Theatre, Casterbridge Farm shopping and entertainment centre on Thursday April 28 from 11:00 until 18h00 for both Tour and Lite riders.
• Both partners must preferably report at the same time.
• Teams wishing to register late must inform the race office at least two days prior to registration day.

5. Race Briefings

• A full race briefing will take place in the Barnyard Theatre at the Casterbridge Farm centre at 18:00 on Thursday 27 April 2012.
• Stage briefings will take place each evening at 17h00 at the same venue. Riders are expected to attend these as important information related to possible changes to the following day's stage and particular hazards could be announced.

6. Prize Giving /Award Ceremonies

• An award ceremony for each Tour stage will be held each evening at 17h00 at the Barnyard Theatre to present the riders with awards and overall leader jerseys for each stage.
• All riders receiving an award are required to attend. Absence may result in a time penalty.
• The Final Award Ceremony for Tour riders will provisionally take place at 12:00 on Tuesday May 1st 2012 at the Barnyard Theatre. This time is subject to change depending on the start time of the time trial.
• A wrap up ceremony for Lite riders is planned - details will be communicated closer to the time.

7. Bicycles

• Only bikes in good, safe working order, at the discretion of the Chief Commissaire, will be allowed to start the stage each day.
• Maintenance of the bicycles used in the race is the responsibility of each participant. The participants must start and finish with the same bike. No time trial bikes, bars or helmets will be permitted for the final time trial.
• Riders may not change the frame of their bicycle during the race without the permission of the Chief Commissaire. Change of a frame will only be allowed in the case of a warranty breakage.
• Rims, spokes, tubes, tyres, wheels, gears, hangers, sprockets, cables, brakes, forks and shocks may be replaced.
• Riders may not change the frame of their bicycle during the race without the permission of the Chief Commissaire. Change of a frame will only be allowed in the case of a warranty breakage.
• Rims, spokes, tubes, tyres, wheels, gears, hangers, sprockets, cables, brakes, forks and shocks may be replaced.
• Limited bike maintenance and spares will be provided by various local bike shops on registration day and after each of the stages.
• No outside assistance for bicycle repairs will be allowed during the stages. Participants may only accept assistance from their partner or other competitors in the race or from official vehicles supplied by the race committee.
• Riders are expected to complete the full distance of each stage within the time allowed. Repairs to bicycles during the stage must be carried out within this time limit.

8. The Team

• Each team consists of two riders of which at least one must be an amateur rider.
• The team will start, ride and finish each stage and the time trial together, with a maximum of 2 minutes interval between the riders at any point.
• The team members may assist one another with bike repairs and maintenance.
• The team members may assist each other by pushing each other, and application of first aid. No towing with a tube is permitted but pushing is allowed.
• If one team member is, for any reason, unable to complete a stage or the race, the remaining team member will be permitted to either join up with another rider or team to complete the race or complete it on his/her own. He/she will be allocated a race time, will receive a finisher's medal, but will however not be classified as an “Official Finisher” of The Panorama Tour.

9. Helmets and Riding Attire

• Only recognized hardshell cycling helmets complying with recognized standards will be acceptable. The Chief Commissaire will rule on the permitted use of any questionable helmets.
• Any riders not wearing their helmets, with the retention strap properly fastened, at any time during the race will be disqualified.
• Generally accepted cycling clothing, including a shirt, must be worn at all times during the race.
• Proper, fully enclosed cycling shoes, or at least running shoes must be worn.
• It is recommended that protective eyewear be worn.

10. Recommended Equipment

• Although paramedic and medical services will be provided during the race and for a period after the completion of each stage, it is still recommended that each team carries the following items to be prepared to deal with emergencies they may experience:
• A multi-tool per team to effect repairs to bikes including chain breaker.
• At least 1 spare tube per rider
• At least one good pump and a puncture repair kit per team
• At least 2 litres of hydration liquid per rider at the beginning of each stage and energy bars.
• At least one cell phone per team.
• Sun block with a minimum factor of 15

11. The Race and Stages

• The race will consist of long stages on day 1 to 3, plus a team time trial on day 4. All four days will count toward the overall race results.
• The long stages start and finish in White River and are clover leaf in shape so that each day is different. The roads are good with extended climbs, down hills and undulating terrain and range in distance from 84 km to 120 km. Feed stations (water, energy drinks and fruit/snacks) will be provided at appropriate points.
• The team time trial stage will start and finish in the same place as the previous days in White River with teams starting at 30 second intervals, from slowest to fastest, seeded according to the total time on the previous three stages. The route will be approximately 25km. No feed station will be provided on the time trial only at the finish.
• The total race distance will be about 340km.
• Riders must complete the full distances of all 4 stages of the race as a team to be “The MTN Panorama Tour Official Finisher” and record an official result.
• The cut-off time for stages 1 to 3 will be 8 hours and the time trial cut-off will be 90 minutes (1,5 hours) from the individual starting time.

12. The Start

• The start chute will open at 06h30 for stages 1 to 3, and the stage starts at 07h00. Differential start zones (A to E) will be allocated to overall team ranking as the race progresses.
• From stage 2 the top 50 teams as well as the category leaders will start from zone A, if present at the start at latest 06h45.
• The start zones close 10 minutes before the start.
• Any riders not in their start zones 10 minutes before the start will be required to start in the last start zone.
• The Start will remain open for 15 minutes after the start for any late starters.
• The team time trial will start from 07h00 (first team to leave) until approximately 09h00 (last team to leave), depending on the number of teams. The start list will be up at the pre-time trial briefing as well as at 06h00 on the morning of the time trial. Teams are to report to the start officials 10 minutes before their allocated start time. Late teams will be allowed to start, but the clock will run from their official starting time.

13. Individual and Team Times

• Only team times will be regarded as official results, and be published as such. Individual times will however be recorded for allocation of STP’s (see below)
• The team time will be determined by the time at which the last team rider crosses the stage finish line.
• Timing will start with the start gun at 07h00 each morning on Stage 1 to 3, and with the allocated start time for the team time trial on stage 4.
• Riders who start later than 15 minutes after the designated start time will not be included in the stage results.
• Any rider/team not able to make the start deadline must report to the Chief Commissaire before 07h10 for permission to make a late start.
• The cut-off time will not be adjusted for any riders permitted to make a late start.
• The finish line closes at 15h00 for stages 1 to 3, and 10h30 for stage 4 (team time trial).

The Lite start chutes will open at 07:15 and riders will follow the same categorisation as the Tour.

14. Separation Time Penalties (STP’s)

• Riders must ride with their partners at all times.
• Team rider separation will be measured at the finish of each stage, but may also be measured at checkpoints anywhere in the stages 1 to 3.
• More than one STP may be enforced on each of stages 1 to 3.
• Riders who are separated by more than 2 minutes from their partner at any point on any of the stages will receive a Separation Time Penalty (STP) of 30 minutes for a first infringement.
• More than one STP can be enforced on each stage.
• A second STP during the stage or race will result in a further 60 minutes penalty.
• Three STP’s over the duration of a stage or the race will result in disqualification.
• STP’s will be applied to both stage results and the overall results.

15. Rider Identification

• Both riders in a team must display their Panorama Tour race number at all times during a stage. Riders not displaying official race numbers will be regarded as non-participants, and prevented from continuing on the route by marshals.
• Race numbers must be properly attached to cross tube of the bike with cable ties provided, and also to the back of the race jersey.
• Riders must not cut, modify or mutilate their race numbers in any way. No stickers may be added or removed.
• Riders must endeavour to keep their race numbers clean, and no rider may start a stage with a dirty number.
• Race leaders are obliged to wear the leader jerseys provided.
  

16. Nutrition and Hydration

• The weather conditions at that time of year can be interchangeable. Ensure that you have appropriate clothing.
• Riders must ensure that they keep themselves properly hydrated and carry sufficient nutrition for at least 45km of riding.
• The Panorama Tour will provide water, Powerade and snacks at neutral feed stations.

17. Seconding and Support

• Riders may not receive outside help, other than from their team partners or fellow competitors, at any point along the route.
• No outside seconding, assistance or feeding other than that provided by the Panorama Tour at an official feed zone is permitted.
• Bike repairs may be carried out on the route without outside assistance, but care must be taken not to obstruct other riders.
• Team members may push one another, but care must be taken not to obstruct other riders or create a safety hazard. Towing with tubes is not permitted.
• Riders are not permitted to draft behind cycles not participating in The Panorama Tour, but may however draft behind their partner or other participating riders on Stages 1 to 3. During the Team Time Trial (stage 4) riders may only draft behind their own team partner. Teams observed following closely behind other teams for extended distances (300m plus) on open roads will be deemed to be drafting, and may be penalized by the Chief Commissaire.
• No drafting is permitted behind any other vehicles on the route, including private motorcycles and race support vehicles.
• Supporters are not permitted to follow or drive ahead of riders on the stages, but may access a number of vantage points and public road crossings to vocally support the teams. These points will be demarcated on maps and explained at the stage briefings.

18. Withdrawals and Formation of New Teams

• Any team not able to continue the stage or race, for whatever reason, must inform the Race Office immediately. This can be done at the start of any stage, the finish, at STP checkpoints, at a feed zone, or preferably by mobile phone (Sandy on 082 410 8094). Important numbers will be on race number boards as well.
• In the event of a search and rescue operation being launched for a rider or team who has withdrawn, but has not informed the Race Office, the cost of such an operation will be for the team concerned.
• In the event of one member of a team being incapable of continuing in the race, this must also be reported to the Race Office so that the remaining rider may be assisted to form another team, if possible. The formation of the new team however remains the rider’s responsibility.
• The formation of new teams may only take place between stages, and before 06h30 each morning before the start. The details of the new team must be supplied to the Race Office and Chief Commissaire.
• Single riders (withdrawn team mate) are permitted to start any of the remaining stages on their own. However, single riders may not form a team of three or more or add to another team in order to assist them.
• Newly formed teams will not qualify for team rankings or as “Panorama Tour Official Finishers”, but individual riders will nonetheless be allocated a race time and a medal.

19. Protests

• Any protests must be submitted in writing, on official protest forms available from the Race Office, to the Chief Commissaire, by the team/rider concerned within the allocated time period after crossing the finish line.
• A deposit of R150 must accompany the protest, before the protest will be considered.
• If the protest is upheld, the deposit will be refunded. If it is not upheld, it will be donated to the Panorama Tour Community Fund.
• Race protests must be submitted within 15 minutes of the team crossing the line or results protests within 30 minutes of the results being posted respectively. Race results will be posted at 16h30 stages 1 to 3, and 11h00 for stage 4.

20. Ethical and Environmental Considerations

• Littering on the stages, damage to property or damage to the environment will not be tolerated.
• Physical and/or abuse of Panorama Tour Crew and Officials, or fellow competitors will not be permitted.
• Infringements of the above rules will result in disciplinary action and possible disqualification.
• Limited littering by riders within 10m of the neutral feed zones will be allowed, but riders are requested to kindly use litter receptacles provided.

21. Traffic Regulations

• The Panorama Tour will not have exclusive use of any public or private roads during the race.
• Riders must ride with due regard for other road users, and all traffic signs and regulations must be adhered to unless a traffic officer instructs him/her to do otherwise,
• Riders are not permitted to ride on the opposite (right) side of the centerline on a public road.
• Care must be taken when negotiating “blind corners” on roads where large forestry trucks and other vehicles may be traveling.
• Infringements of traffic regulations may result in disqualification.

22. Basic Race Rules and Etiquette

• All riders must complete the entire distance of the race.
• While utmost care will be taken to mark and marshal the route, the responsibility for following the official route lies with the rider.
• No rider is permitted to take any shortcuts, or take advantage of any similar nature over other participants.
• Riders who leave the stage for any reason whatsoever must return into the stage at the same place from where they exited it.
• Any walking, running, or riding by any rider, with the intention of not directly rejoining the course, or any other activity in breach of the regulations, which takes place outside the demarcated stage area, can result in disqualification.
• A rider may not receive any outside technical assistance from anybody, other than his Panorama Tour team partner or a fellow competitor.
• Riders must act in a polite manner and permit any faster rider to pass unhindered.
• Riders must respect the environment, and ride only on the official demarcated route.
• No pollution of any kind is permitted.
• No glass containers are permitted.
• Riders must not use abusive language, act in an unsporting manner, be disrespectful to The Panorama Tour crew, marshals, medical attendants, supporters, the media or the traffic officials.
• Riders are expected to administer basic first aid to injured team partners and other competitors, and if required, take necessary steps to summons assistance in the case of a serious injury.

23. Doping

• The Panorama Tour reserves the right, in terms of CSA rules and regulations, to implement doping tests on any riders
• Positive results will result in immediate disqualification, and forfeiture of any result by the rider concerned.

24. Penalties and Disqualification

The penalties serve as a guideline for transgressions of the rules, but where any additional rule interpretation is requires, or where specific provision for any incident has not been made in these rules, the decision of the Chief Commissaire is final.

Offence	1st Offence	2nd Offence	3rd Offence	Remarks
Not Attending Award Ceremony	Warning	30 min TP	1 hour TP
Bicycles	Disqualified
Helmet	Disqualified
Compulsory Equipment	30 min TP	1 Hour TP	Disqualified
Time cut-off	DNF
Start cut-off	DNF
STP	30 min TP	1 Hour TP	Disqualified
Rider Identification	Warning	1 Hour TP	Disqualified	Repeat offender disqualified
Seconding & Support	1 hour TP	Disqualified
Traffic Regulations	1 hour TP	Disqualified
Basic Rules	1 hour TP	Disqualified
Doping	Disqualified