2023 Athlete Guide – will be posted on January 15, 2023

USA Cycling Permit #: 2023-6554. USA Cycling Rules of Racing apply.

The following Guidelines and Rules are to be adhered to by all participants  in the 2023 Papago 6 MTB event – January 28. The intent of these rules is intended to provide integrity in competition and support a safe, enjoyable racing experience for all involved.

GENERAL RULES TO RACE BY:
It is each and every participants responsibility to be aware of and to comply with these rules! Failure to do so may result in disqualification.  Papago 6 MTB Race requires a USA CYCLING license to participate. Either a one day or Annual. USA Cycling Rules of Racing apply.

eMTB’s are prohibited from this race, except in the designated eMTB category. Class 1 pedal assisted eMTB’s ONLY.

– Be kind to everyone. Nobody likes “that guy/girl”. Please be courteous!
– If somebody is hurt on course and you find them, it is YOUR responsibility to find a course marshal and let them know! No race is so important that you can’t help someone out.
– Only registered racers may compete in an event. No kidding, you must be registered to race. An official race number plate must be displayed by each racer. No competitor shall cut, fold, mutilate, apply stickers to or alter in any way the number plate. Numbers are not transferable. Penalty is simple, the timers will not be able to score you, when you complain it will lead to disqualification.
– All competitors must wear a properly secured helmet, complying to DOT or CPSC Standards at all times during competition as well as when pre-riding or warming up on the course.
– Competitors must wear a helmet, proper riding attire, including a shirt, shorts, and fully-enclosed shoes during competition.
– MP3 players, and other personal listening devices are allowed but must not interfere with a racer’s awareness of other racers and their surroundings on the race course.
– Each competitor is responsible for having their bike in good operating condition. All Competitors must be self-sufficient. All repairs during a race must be performed by the individual racers. Tools and spare parts used in a repair must be carried by the racer. No off-course assistance is allowed. Exception to this rule – If the racer makes it back to the scoring table, the officials may grant aid to the racer (such as a spare bike or parts) and allow the contestant to re-enter the race where he left off and finish that race as not to have a DNF.
– Deviation from the marked course will result in disqualification unless the competitor reenters the course at point of exit. If you cut the course, intentionally or not, own up to it, we’ll let you finish in last place (it happens, we understand) and still earn points. If you don’t own up to it, and at least 3 people can testify to it, we kick you out of the event and publicly humiliate you. It’s not cool. This includes ducking under any flagging marking the boundaries of the finish chute. A competitor that purposely leaves the marked course during competition is deemed to have retired from the race and will be scored as a DQ or DNF. ALL Racers are required to dismount and walk their bike through the tunnel – both directions. Failure to do so will result in a one lap penalty.
– Feeding and/or “hand-ups” may occur when you’re hungry or thirsty anywhere on the course. However, any interference with another competitor during a hand-up is grounds for disqualification, so be safe and smart and educate your crew. One designated feed zone is located on the course (in Team/Solo Alley), please try to use them to avoid interference with other racers.
– Any competitor littering the course with a gel packet, food wrappers or other waste will be publicly addressed and humiliated at any given chance by anyone and will be asked to walk the track in bare feet and pick up all the garbage left by the race. Tread lightly and take out what you bring in. Keep our trails beautiful.
– A competitor on their bike has the right-of-way over one pushing their bike. Lapped racers must yield the track immediately. Yield the track (fastest part of the trail) when possible when asked. It is the responsibility of an overtaking rider to pass safely. No racer is expected to stop their race to allow other racers to pass. However, no rider shall intentionally impede the progress of another. A rider should make his/her presence known when overtaking a slower rider (i.e. “On your left. Please!”). Especially in single-track, await return communication from the rider being overtaken that it is safe to pass.
– The use of profanity or flagrant discourtesy (including hand gestures) directed at another competitor, race worker, or spectator is grounds for disqualification.

– No cheating, bad sportsmanship, throwing bikes, temper tantrums, obscene gestures, uproarious behavior, or making a scene. We’ll kick you out on principle – no exceptions.
– Mountain biking is an individual sport, entering into agreements or forming alliances (monetary or otherwise) to control or alter the results of a race will result in disqualification from that individual event.
– A race may be stopped by the Race Director in case of severe injury to a rider or life-threatening weather. Racers failing to heed the instruction of medical personal and/or course marshals attending to an injured rider will be disqualified!
-If you think there is an error in your results, bring it to scorer’s attention like a responsible adult, that is why we supply preliminary results during the race. If you corner race officials and attack them about a finish error, we will kick you out and DNF you on principle. Nobody deserves that kind of behavior.
– Protests of results, the conduct of a racer, or any other matters related to the race may only be filed by a competitor in the event or a race official. Protests must be reported to or filed with a timing official within 10 minutes of the completion of an event, posting of results, or a ruling to be considered valid. All results become final as of the presentation of awards.
– IGNORANCE OF THE RULES IS NEVER AN ADMISSIBLE DEFENSE!

Final interpretation of the rules is up to the Race Director. These individuals have control over all competitors, scorers, and officials at their event and their decision on these rules, and any situations not specifically covered by these rules is final.

Race Categories

Solo Men

Solo Single Speed Men

Solo Women

Solo Single Speed Women

Duo Male

Duo Female

Duo Coed

Duo Junior Male (age under 18)

Duo Junior Female (age under 18)

Open eMTB Solo – Class 1 pedal assisted (combined male and female category -“open”)

CHANGING CLASSES
Changing classes is to be done prior to race start. No changes after race starts will be allowed. It’s not as easy to change in the computer as you think.

ENTRY FEES

Entry fees are non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be extended to a following year.

AWARDS

Event Awards:
The top three (3) finishers in each age category will receive awards, (plaques or medals). You must be present – awards will not be mailed.

AWARD PRESENTATION
4pm