1. GENERAL
(1) The Bosch eMTB Challenge (the "Event") is an event organised by „GARDA DOLOMITI – AZIENDA PER IL TURISMO S.P.A.“ (the "Organiser“).
(2) These rules set down the conditions under which each competitor taking part in the Event ("Competitor") agrees to participate. A prerequisite for any participation in the Event is absolute acceptance of these rules.
(3) The Organiser has absolute control over the Event and is entitled at any time to make Event-relevant decisions, in particular, for objective reasons (e.g. damage to the road surface) - even shortly before the Event - to change the route and to extend or shorten the length of the route by an appropriate amount.
(4) Instructions issued by Event staff and civil safety officials (police, fire brigade, THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief) must be followed immediately and without restrictions. In the event of non-compliance, the Organiser is entitled to impose penalties on the Competitor concerned. "Event Staff" (e.g. track marshals) will be identified as such by the Organiser and are authorised to issue instructions on behalf of the Organiser.
2. ELIGIBILITY – HEALTH
(1) The Event is open to both amateur and professional athletes from the age of 14.
(2) Competitors aged under 18 require written permission from a legal guardian.
(3) In order to participate, each Competitor must submit a signed original declaration of liability upon registration.
3. EQUIPMENT
(1) Commercial mountain bike pedelecs with motor support up to a maximum of 25 km/h are eligible to enter. These are considered bicycles and therefore do not require insurance or registration for use on public roads. S-Pedelecs with unlimited support are considered as mopeds or motorcycles and are not allowed to compete. Anyone who competes on an S-Pedelec with higher motor support than 25 km/h is not just breaking the rules, but also in violation of road traffic regulations and is therefore guilty of a criminal offence.
(2) Systems that can be switched from pedelec to speed pedelec during the competition will be excluded from the race.
(3) All competitors must wear an approved and tested helmet throughout the race. Furthermore, we strongly recommend wearing knee pads, full gloves and a short or long-sleeved jersey.
(4) Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.
(5) We expressly recommend that riders should carry their mobile phones with them so that they can be reached in the event of an emergency.
(6) Competitors are each personally responsible for ensuring the material used on their bicycles and their protective clothing are in good condition. Only materials designed for this type of stress should be used. The condition, quality and design or construction must not pose any danger to the competitor or third parties. Protective clothing must carry a quality seal from an internationally recognised test centre.
4. CHECKS AND TUNING
Tuning or manipulation of the system is prohibited. A visual check will take place before the start of the race. Random checks will be carried out by the Organiser during the race and at the finish.
5. START
(1) The challenge starts in groups and at staggered times to avoid long waiting times at the various the stages. The times for the various blocks will be announced on the evening before the Event. The times will be listed on a notice displayed at the registration point.
(2) There will be no fixed starting times at the stages. There will be an open start, however this will be at the instruction of staff.
(3) Each rider will start separately in the trials/stages. The intervals between the stages are at least 30 seconds, but can be adjusted by staff at the stages as required.
(4) A track marshal will clear the start for the competitors.
6. IMPORTANT RULES OF CONDUCT DURING THE EVENT
(1) Competitors must obey the rules of the road at all times.
(2) Riders must not receive outside help (from non-riders). This includes help from team members or spectators to carry equipment around the route or help with repairs during the race. Competitors are allowed to help one another.
(3) Batteries can be changed, however riders have to carry their own replacement batteries themselves! Accepting a battery from an outsider will lead to disqualification.
(4) Competitors must ensure that no one else is harmed, endangered or more than necessarily impeded or bothered by the situation.
(5) Under no circumstances may anything be thrown away or dropped, particularly food packaging, bottles or drink cups.
(6) Competitors generally have to fix problems on the side of the road without hindering their fellow competitors. There is no Tech Zone.
(7) Glass containers must not be carried during the competition.
(8) Riders may cross the finish line on foot, provided they have their bike with them.
(9) If a rider leaves the route for any reason, he/she must return to the same point and continue from there.
(10) There will be no training. The route may only be ridden during the challenge. Failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification.
7. STARTING NUMBERS
(1) All competitors are obliged to display their starting numbers on their bike (handlebars) and on their backs at all times during the entire Event. Advertising on the starting numbers must not be covered or otherwise made unrecognisable.
8. TIME TRIALS AND ORIENTATION WAYPOINTS
(1) Times will be recorded by means of a transponder. The transponder will be handed over when the starting number is issued and must be attached to the wrist.
(2) The times will only be recorded by means of transponders at the stages. The individual times from the stages will be added together to get a total time.
(3) Times are not recorded on the transfer routes, but there is a maximum time within which each competitor must have reached the finish. The maximum time will be announced at the briefing.
(4) Orientation waypoints must be attained along the transfer route. Registration is by means of the transponder. There is a time penalty of 10 seconds for every failure to register.
(5) There are "no feet zones" on the uphill stages. These zones will be monitored by a marshal. The marshal sounds an acoustic signal when a rider touches the ground, thus registering the penalty. There is a time penalty of 10 seconds every time a rider touches the ground.
9. FOOD AND DRINK
(1) Each Competitor is responsible for his/her own food and drink during the competition. (2) The Organiser will ensure there is a sufficient supply of suitable food and drink at a refreshment post. There will be signs directing riders to this refreshment post, which will also be shown on the map. Competitors can get food and drink at the refreshment posts by showing their starting numbers.
(3) Competitors will not leave any waste behind so as not to harm the environment.
(4) The consumption of alcohol is absolutely prohibited during the Challenge.
10. TRIALS
(1) Starters in the Bosch eMTB Challenge can compete as individuals.
(2) There are two rating categories: amateur eMTB riders and advanced eMTB riders. Advanced eMTB riders have to complete an additional special stage. As a rule, this adds more distance and greater elevations to the entire route.
(3) Men and women will be rated separately.
11. PREMATURE ABANDONMENT OF THE BOSCH EMTB CHALLENGE
(1) Competitors who abandon the competition early must immediately report back to the timekeepers in the finishing area. The organiser will initiate a search for any competitor that fails to report back to the timekeepers which will be at the competitor's expense.
12. AWARDS CEREMONY
(1) An awards ceremony will be held approx. 30 minutes after the Challenge is over. We would ask the first three riders to attend the awards ceremony. Trophies will be presented for first second and third place.
13. ROUTE
(1) The route will only be revealed at the start. Each competitor will receive a map of the whole route, the orientation waypoints and stages. The transfer route will not be signposted throughout, but will be marked at prominent points with barrier tape, chequered flags, etc. Riders who leave the route on the trial stages must start again at exactly the same point.
(2) The sequence of the orientation waypoints and stages must be followed. The precise sequence will be shown in a table on the map.
(3) Taking shortcuts to gain an advantage over other riders will result in immediate disqualification.
(4) The route may only be used by the riders during the Challenge. Marshals and medical personnel will be placed along the route while the competition is in progress.
14. MEDICAL SUPPORT
(1) The organiser will ensure adequate medical support from doctors and paramedics along the route.
(2) Riders who have given first aid or whose race has been impeded by an accident must report the incident to the race director in the finishing area. The race committee will take note of this and correct the time accordingly as necessary.
(3) A stage may be blocked or even completely excluded from the race to enable the rescue team to reach an injured rider in the event of an accident.
15. JURY & PROTESTS
(1) The Organiser shall establish a jury (the "Jury" for every Event). The Jury will consist of three members chosen at the discretion of the Organiser (usually the race director, organisational manager and the head timekeeper)
(2) Any decisions regarding the management of the race, breaches of the rules and, in particular, disqualifications will be made by this body.
(3) The Jury will decide on any breaches of the rules and protests reported by Event staff (e.g. marshals). "Protests" are breaches of rules reported by other Competitors or complaints by Competitors against measures (e.g. sanctions) by Event staff. Protests must be lodged with the race office no later than half an hour after the finish and, where appropriate, must be substantiated in writing with evidence (e.g. witnesses). The protest fee is €50 and is payable when the protest is lodged. The protest fee will be retained by the Organiser if the protest is not upheld and otherwise will be refunded immediately.
16. ORGANISER'S LIABILITY
(1) The Organiser's liability shall be limited as follows:
a) The liability of the Organiser for damages deriving from injury to life, limb or health as a result of negligent or wilful breach of duty by the Organiser or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the Organiser, is unlimited in terms of grounds and extent.
b) The Organiser's liability for other damages as a result of negligent or wilful breach of duty by the Organiser or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the Organiser is likewise unlimited in terms of grounds and extent.
c) The Organiser accepts no liability for damages as a result of negligent breach of duty by the Organiser or a legal representative or vicarious agent of the Organiser, unless the damage is due to breach of cardinal obligations. However, the extent of liability for damages arising from breach of cardinal obligations shall be limited to the remediation of damage that was foreseeable and typical for the contract when the contract was concluded. "Cardinal obligations" are those obligations whose fulfilment facilitates the proper implementation of the contract in the first place and on whose observance can generally be relied upon.
(2) The Competitor is herewith explicitly reminded that the Organiser and/or its legal representatives or vicarious agents accept no liability for damages for which they are not responsible. This applies, for example, to damage caused by misconduct/riding errors by other riders or the fact that Competitors are prevented from participating in part or all of the Event due to legal regulations and/or official orders.
(3) This limitation of liability also applies expressly to lost valuables, clothing, equipment and damage to bicycles that may occur during transport.
17. LIABILITY OF THE COMPETITOR AND INDEMNITY
(1) The Competitor is hereby expressly reminded that he/she shall be fully liable for damage to the Organiser or third parties (e.g. other riders) in relation to the injured party, insofar as the Competitor is responsible for them, i.e. the Competitor is guilty of wilful intent or negligence. The Organiser recommends taking out personal liability insurance for this type of event.
(2) The Competitor hereby undertakes to indemnify the Organiser and/or the third parties commissioned by the Organiser (“persons entitled to indemnification”) in full and on first request from all third-party claims that they assert against the person entitled to indemnification in connection with the damage caused by the Competitor and all costs incurred in this connection (including legal defence).
