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WA GRAVITY ENDURO RULEBOOK

Rulebook Rev 1 21st September 2021

 

Yellow and Red Cards Issued

 

Competitor Issued At Issued For Issued Card Issued Date
Name Venue Action Colour Date

General Rules

Gravity Enduro is an exciting mountain biking race format. Whether you are a Whippet, Weekend Warrior or battling for podium domination, rules apply to all to keep people safe and to keep competitors on a level playing field. The most important rules to abide by include:

  • only 1 (one) attempt permitted on each stage (unless explicitly mentioned otherwise at race briefing)
  • the lowest overall time after completing every stage is deemed the winner
  • you must wear a fullface helmet at all times. Detachable chin-guards can be removed in transition.
  • you can only use one bike during the event. Wheel rims, bike frame and fork cannot be changed. The race director has the discretion to prohibit unsafe or unsuitable bikes.
  • if you suffer a mechanical, try and complete the stage to enable you to log a time. If the problem is fixed, you can continue to finish the other stages if they are open. Mechanical problems at any time during the race does not entitle you to re-attempt the stage. At no time can a competitor get outside (spectator, coach etc) assistance for repair. However, event competitors can stop and help a mechanical problem with a competitors bike.
  • you may only ride each stage once in the arranged order as instructed by the Race Director during race briefing
  • if you are caught deliberating leaving the trail, you will be instantly disqualified from the event and not permitted to enter the following event.
  • if a rider behind you has given ample time and catch you on the stage, you must move aside.
    • if you want to overtake a rider, clearly and politely let the rider in front know – ‘rider when ready’ is a good approach
    • if you are being overtaken, move over immediately where it is safe to do so
    • please and thank you go a long way!

Don’t forget the essentials

We aim to hold diverse racing experience at each course, but usually the race course consists of the following:

  • New competitors at each race will receive their raceplate. If you are a returning competitor in the same series, please bring your raceplate! We do stock some blank plates but it is always easier and cheaper (and looks better!) if you can bring your existing raceplate
  • Water bottle and/or Camelbak
  • Spare tube and tyre changing levers, pump and/or compressed air
  • Essential tools normally a multi-tool with allen keys and screw drivers
  • Your full-face helmet and other highly recommended or mandatory racing equipment
  • Nutrition! Energy bars, gels or your normal go to snack during the race

The Series and Points Allocation

In 2020, there are 9 rounds on offer. Any competitor is welcome to race at any event and attending all events is not mandatory.

If you wish to race for series overall ranking in your category:

  • we take your best 5 rounds which have scored you the most points in and add these up. The competitor with the most accrued points in each category is deemed the winner.
  • if competitors tie in points on the final round, the competitors are ranked based on their best last result. If this does not split the tie, the ‘countback’ approach continues until the competitor with the highest last points is found.

The Race Course

We aim to hold diverse racing experience at each course, but usually the race course consists of the following:

  • timed descents on technical trails with options of ‘A’ lines and ‘B’ lines allowing different skilled competitors to compete on the same stage
    • ‘A’ line is usually more difficult but the quickest path
    • ‘B’ line may direct a rider around a technical trail feature and is usually the slower, although easier path.
    • These options will be clearly marked on the course before a technical feature – proceed with caution if you are unsure of the course
  • short uphill or short flat sections
  • generally un-timed climbs, or a generous time cap. Dawdling, stopping for food or visiting your car is no excuse for a slow course completion time. If you run into any problems, notify a marshal immediately.
  • riders usually queue at the stage starting area with a marshal advising you when to race. A 30second timer indicates a suitable gap between competitors.
  • the race course is usually made up of 4 to 7 stages and depending on the event, can range from 10-25mins of race time and/or 15-25kms.

The Rider

New competitors can collect their raceplate during checkin on race morning. Blank raceplates are available should yours be lost or forgotten.

Mandatory

Recommended

  • Full-fingered gloves
  • Kneepads and elbowpads
  • Sunscreen
  • Protective eyewear
  • Long sleeve jersey 

The Bike

Mandatory

MANDATORY-BIKE

Competitive and Inclusive Racing

  • Men U9 (Whippets)
  • Men U13 (Whippets)
  • Men U15
  • Men U17
  • Men U19
  • Men (Full Enduro 19+)
  • Men eBike 19+
  • Men 19 – 29 (Weapons)
  • Men 30 – 39 (Warriors)
  • Men 40 – 49 (Masters)
  • Men 50 – 59 (Super Masters)
  • Men 60+ (Grand Masters)
  • Women U9 (Whippets)
  • Women U13 (Whippets)
  • Women U15
  • Women U17
  • Women U19
  • Women (Full Enduro 19+)
  • Women eBike 19+
  • Women Welcome (Open Mini Enduro) [raced with Whippets]
  • Women 19 – 34 (Warriors)
  • Women 35 – 44 (Masters)
  • Women 45+ (Super Masters)

Age categories are based on your age at 31st December. i.e. a competitor who is 16 and turns 17 on the 1st November will race the U19 category for the series.

FULL ENDURO (also known as Elite) is ‘revamped’ category which will have the most focus following events. In 2019, there was an Expert Category and a Men 19-39 category. We have adjusted this in 2020 to the Full Enduro, Men 19-29 and Men 30-39. We believe this is a fairer approach as it creates more defined categories and reduces overlap. We expect the top-half of Expert to move to Full Enduro and the lower half to fall into their age categories.
 
Full Enduro will have more stages on offer and is a greater challenge for experienced competitors looking for Enduro World Series points.
 
Full Enduro is the only category with prize money available.
Age-based categories align to Mountain Bike Australia standards for the National Cup.

 

NEVER directly contact a person you consider to be racing outside their category – especially if you do not know a competitor. Always contact us first and we can decide on the best course of action after liaising with all parties.

If in doubt of your category selection, move up a category – you will be surprised at how much you can improve competing with and learning from competitors slightly above your skillset.

Timing System

We now utilise the Enduro World Series timing standard Sportident Timing System.

During Race Village opening before the event briefing, please make yourself known at the Race Village Trailer aka ‘Centre of Gravity (COG)’ to check-in, receive your raceplate and your timing wristband. These wristbands are your unique ID for the race and store your race data.
  • You must return your wristband within 15minutes of completing your race/course closure.
  • Failure to return a wristband within 15minutes of course completion jeapordises your potential podium position and you will be exempt from presentations including gifts and/or prizes. If you were to podium, you will be time-penalised and put into 4th place once the results table is finalised.
  • If you return your wristband after 15minutes of your race/course completion and you are not a podium placer, no penalty will occur.
  • Additionally, failure to return a wristband, damaged or lost a wristband, you accept a charge based on their retail value of $120 + GST to be made payable within 10 working days.

Emergencies

  • Riders must assist injured competitors or seek help. Riders who assist can repeat the stage at the discretion of the marshal and race director.
  • Race Director reserves the right to halt or cancel the event in case of emergency, adverse weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Every effort will be made to postpone the race to another venue or time. WA Gravity Enduro cannot be held responsible for any loss relating to a modified event.
  • we work with local authorities prior to the race to ensure a Risk Management Plan and Emergency Evacuation Plan. Please follow any instruction by authorized personnel.

*Although every effort will be made to contact all competitors, WAGE reserves the right to make changes to the rules at any given time without notice