These Rules shall apply to all events conducted within the authority of the British Schools’ Cycling Association and only affiliated members may compete.
Rules of Racing
BSCA RULES OF RACING
* indicates Rule Change
1. a) These Rules shall apply to all events conducted within the authority of the British Schools’ Cycling Association and only affiliated members may compete.
(b) Evidence of Membership will need to be shown by competitors in BSCA events, otherwise a Day Membership Fee will be levied as follows;
£2.00 National / Regional Championships £1.50 all other events
2.(a) Ages for competitors shall be determined as at midnight on the 31st August / 1st September at the beginning of the current school year.
(b) In no circumstances shall a competitor be permitted to ride in an event for those of a lower age group. Except for Regional and National Championships, competitors may, at the promoter’s discretion, compete in an event for those of the age-group next above his. Boys’ and girls’ events may be combined. Girls can compete with the boys in the next age-group lower.
(c) Where a Regional Championship is held jointly with a National Championship, entry to the National Championship takes preference before they are entitled to enter the Regional Championship if they so wish to do.
3. The promoter and the chief official of an event shall have the power to disqualify any competitor whom they consider to be guilty of behaviour likely to bring the sport into disrepute.
4. Any event including the use of any public highway shall be notified to the appropriate police authority (or authorities) at least six weeks prior to the event.
5. Entry fees will be charged at the discretion of the promoter. At Regional and National Championship level a levy for each rider entered must be sent to the Racing Secretary, together with a signing on sheet and result sheet, no later than 7 days after the event.
6. All competitors in BSCA events must compete in the name of their school and the name of their cycling club may be mentioned on the Start and Result Sheet.
7. All Members of the Association representative teams shall be required to obtain an appropriate parental signature indicating acceptance of any conditions operated by the Racing Secretary or his nominee and of the sanctions which may be imposed for any breach of those conditions.
8 a) Machines may be examined for safety before the start of any event, competition or leisure ride at the discretion of the organiser.
b) The use of radios and other communication devices shall not be allowed by any BSCA Competitor during competition.
c) A rider whilst racing or training shall wear properly affixed protective headgear which must be of a hard/soft shell construction.
d) Aero Helmets shall not be permitted in Time Trials. Aero Style Helmets shall not be permitted in massed start events.
9. No Rule of Racing may be altered, added to or rescinded except at an Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
10. TIME TRIALS
Time Trials held on open roads must be held under CTT Rules, except for the provision of Rule 8.
11. MASSED START RACES (CIRCUIT RACES)
a) No massed start racing may take place on roads open to the general public.
b) Competitors must use a machine with a freewheel (single or multiple gears) and two efficient brakes. The use of Spinache style bars shall not be permitted.
12. TRACK RACES
a) HARD TRACK – Competitors in Regional and National Championships must use a machine with a single fixed gear and may not have brakes or any dangerous projection. This rule does not apply to under 7′s, under 9′s and under 11′s who must use free wheel machines. The use of Spinache style bars shall not be permitted in massed start races.
b) GRASS TRACK- Competitors in Regional and National Championships must use a machine with a single fixed gear and may not have brakes or any dangerous projection. This rule does not apply to under 7′s, under 9′s under 11′s, and under 13′s who must use free wheel machines. The use of Spinache style bars shall not be permitted in massed start races.
c) Under no circumstances should both free and fixed wheel machines compete against each other.
13. CYCLO CROSS/MOUNTAIN BIKE RACES
(a) These races may be time trials or massed start races.
(b) No more than 25% of the course may be metalled surface i.e., public highway, school path, etc.
(c) The use of Spinache style bars shall not be permitted.
(d) For mountain bike events, machines with drop handlebars will not be permitted.
14. RECORDS
(a) BSCA National Records for the Time Trial and Rollers may only be established in Regional or National Championships. When a new record has been established it will need to be ratified by the BSCA National Executive.
(b) All records, whether team or individual, shall be recognised only within the age groups laid down for Championship purposes in Rule 19 below. This shall apply to time trials on road and track, to Place-to-Place road records, and to roller records. No record shall be recognised which involves the mixing of age-groups except as permitted under Rule 2(b) above. Where teams are of mixed ages, the age of the eldest rider shall decide the age-group appropriate.
(c) Times shall not be classified as records unless timed by a qualified BCF or CTT timekeeper.
(d) Relay Records: ROAD
(i) All road records shall be judged by an official BSCA observer approved by the Executive Committee; such observer must be able to see the active riders in the relay at all times during the event
(ii) All road relay records shall be for six-up teams.
(iii) A seventh rider may act as reserve. If a rider is withdrawn, he may not in any circumstances rejoin the relay; nor may the reserve, once used, be replaced.
(iv) Relay changes shall be by touch visible to the official observer.
(v) Only records on routes approved by the Executive Committee shall be recognised.
15. GEAR RESTRICTIONS
a) For Circuit, Time Trial, Track and Roller Racing REGIONAL AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, the maximum gear will be the distance covered per crank revolution for that age group.
(i) 5·10 metres for Under 7′s
(ii) 5·40 metres for Under 9′s
(iii) 6·05 metres for the Under 11′s
(iv) 6.45 metres for the Under 13′s
(v) 6.93 metres for the Under 15′s.
(vi) 7·93 metres for the Over 15′s
(b) It is recommended that all events, other than “Come & Try It”, promotions, should be subject to the same gear restrictions.
The remaining Rules (16-31)
apply only to Regional and National Championships
16. COMMISSAIRES
The organisers of all Regional and National Championships shall appoint a qualified Commissaire and/or Chief Judge as appropriate for their event.
17. JUDGING
(a) The Chief Official shall, within an hour of the finish of a National Championship, confirm the result and/or consider written protests.
(b) The promoter of a National Championship shall notify the Racing Secretary of any decision made by the Chief Official following consideration of a written protest, the Racing Secretary having the right to refer such a decision to the Executive Committee.
18. PROMOTERS’ APPLICATIONS
(a) National Championships shall be allocated by the Racing Committee.
*18 (b) Where a region does not promote a particular regional championship, an alternative region can offer to promote a joint championship. The riders will be allocated their own separate regional points and awards.
This should not affect the placings of the riders in the region concerned, who will be awarded the positions of first, second and third in Region awards.
19. AGE GROUPS
Age-groups for Regional and National Championships shall be;
Under 7, Under 9,Under 11, Under 13, Under 15, Under 15 and Over 15 but Under 19.
20. MINIMUM ENTRIES
(a) A promoter shall organise a championship for all age groups for which entries have been received. Where the number of entries received make it impractical to have a separate event, the boys and girls in the same age group may be permitted to ride together, but shall be awarded separate Championships.
(b) In the event of there being fewer than 3 girl entrants in any one age group, they may compete on equal terms with the boys for the championship in their age group.
(c) No rider shall be allowed to ride in more than one age-group in one Championship.
21. COMPOSITION OF TEAMS
Private Members from different schools shall not under any circumstances form a team.
22. TYPES OF EVENTS AND THEIR CONDUCT.
Championships may be held at Regional and National levels as follows:
(a) Time Trials:
Distances shall be two miles for the Under 7′s, three miles for the Under 9′s,five miles for the Under 11′s. Ten miles for the Under 13′s, under 15′s and Over 15′s, (note: under the CTT Regulations).
(b) Circuit Races:
Distances should be as close as possible to 3kms (2 miles) for the Under 7′s, 5kms (3 miles) for the Under 9′s, 10kms (6.5 miles) for the Under 11′s, 20km (12.5 miles) for the Under 13′s, 35km (22 miles) for the Under 15′s. The distance for the Over 15 age group shall be at the organiser’s discretion. All riders shall finish in the same lap as the winner, but lapped riders may be pulled out at the Chief Judge’s discretion, subject to the recording of the lap in which they were pulled out so that their placings may count towards team and BAR results. If this is not possible, then under exceptional circumstances, times can be substituted.
(c) Grass Track:
(i) An Omnium, to consist of a sprint, a pursuit (which may be run on a time trial basis) and a distance event. Points will be awarded for each event, based on the number of entries. (ie:, 1, 2, 3 in increasing order ). The winner will be the rider who scores the least points from the three events. In the event of a tie, the placing of each rider in the distance event shall determine the final overall placing of those riders.
(ii) Team Awards to be given on the basis of total points of a School’s top three riders in any category, two for girls.
(iii) Pursuit distances shall be the number of complete laps giving a distance as close as possible to 600 metres for the Under-7′s, 1000 metres for the Under 9′s, 1,500 metres for the Under 11′s and the Under 13′s, and 2,000 metres for the Under 15′s and Over 15′s.
(iv) Distance Race: The distance of which is at the promoter discretion, but the minimum distance should be equal to the pursuit distances as set out in 22(c)(iii). Under no circumstances is an elimination event to be used as the distance event.
(d) Cyclo-Cross:
The distance for all events shall be as follows:
U7’s: 10 minutes + 1 lap U9’s: 15 minutes + 1 lap
U11’s: 20 minutes + 1 lap U13′s: 25 minutes + 1 lap
U15′s: 30 minutes + 1 lap O15′s: 40 minutes + 1 lap
With the shortest distance being a minimum of 2 laps All riders shall finish on the same lap as the winner.
Note: – The principle shall be short, exciting racing rather than gruelling tests of endurance.
(e) Hard Track:
i) An Omnium, to consist of a sprint, a pursuit (which may be run on a time trial basis) and a distance event. Points will be awarded for each event, based on the number of entries. (ie:, 1, 2, 3 in increasing order ). The winner will be the rider who scores the least points from the three events. In the event of a tie, the placing of each rider in the distance event shall determine the final overall placing of those riders.
ii) A 500m Sprint for all age groups.
The finals shall be reduced to four by heats as appropriate.
iii) An Individual Pursuit for all age groups.
Pursuit distances shall be the number of complete laps giving a distance as close as possible to 1,000 metres for the Under 7′s and Under 9′s, 1,500 metres
for the Under 11′s and Under 13′s, and 2,000 metres for the Under 15′s and Over 15′s.
(iv) Distance Race: The distance of which is at the promoter discretion, but the minimum distance should be equal to the pursuit distances as set out in 22(e)(iii) Under no circumstances is an elimination event to be used as the distance event.
(f) Hill Climb Championship:
Organised as a Time Trial. Courses for the hill climb Championship shall not be selected on the basis of being within the physical capacity of all age groups.
(g) Mountain Bike:
The distance for all events shall be as follows:
U7’s: 15 minutes + 1 lap U9’s: 20 minutes + 1 lap
U11’s: 25 minutes + 1 lap U14′s: 30 minutes + 1 lap
U16′s: 40 minutes + 1 lap O16′s: 40 minutes + 1 lap
With the shortest distance being a minimum of 2 laps. All riders shall finish on the same lap as the winner.
(h) Roller Racing:
i) These Championship races shall be held as an Omnium.
Which shall comprise a 500 metre Time Trial and a 1Km Flying Start Time Trial.
ii) For National Championships, the Under 7’s, Under 9’s, & Under 11’s must be supported by mechanical means. There shall be no mechanical support for the Under 13’s, Under 15’s and Over 15’s. All riders may be supported by assistants.
iii) Helmets may be used.
iv) In the case of, a] a false start, b] a fall, c] mechanical mishap to rollers or machines, including punctures, before 100 metres have been covered by the leaders, a restart shall be made in Championships.
v) Omnium points shall be the same as those awarded in Regional / National BAR Competitions.
vi) In the event of a tied medal position the riders involved shall ride a second 500 metre time trial, head to head race. First past the post being the winner.
vii) Attendants must be properly attired and wear good foot protectors. (Shoes / Trainers but NOT cycling shoes).
(i) Starting Ranks:
In Circuit Races and Cyclo-Cross, the precise order of start shall be stated by the organiser in the programme, and shall be based upon the principle that teams shall be equally distributed through the ranks.
*23. TEAM SIZES.
For the team awards, in each age group, a team shall consist of three riders in boys’ events, and two riders in girls’ events.
24. TIMEKEEPERS.
Only certified CTT or BCF timekeepers shall be used in all Championships.
25. CLOSING DATES.
(a) Regional Championships:
Closing dates shall be twelve days before the event for Time Trials and fourteen days for other events. Entries on the day are at the promoter discretion, but where a promoter indicates a closing date, entries on the day will not be permitted.
(b) National Championships:
Closing dates shall be fourteen days before the event for all events. There will be no entry on the day for National Championships.
26. ENTRY FORM DETAILS.
The entry for details shall include the entrant’s full name, address, telephone number, school, school colours (if any), date of birth, and a declaration of whether they are a School/Club/LEA or Private Member and the name and affiliation number of the qualifying body. His/Her signature should also appear on the entry form. The BSCA entry form must be used for all BSCA events. Any Entry Form which does not show the entrants affiliation number or School Name shall be refused.
27. DISCLAIMERS.
(a) and (b) must be included on the entry forms.
(a) “I hereby declare that the particulars submitted on this entry form are complete and correct. I agree to abide by the rules of the British Schools’ Cycling Association and to accept decisions of their officials in all matters concerning this event.”
(b) The signature of the entrant’s parent or guardian must be requested under the following statement:
“I, being the parent/legal guardian of the entrant named on this form, hereby agree to his/her participation in the competition under the terms and conditions stipulated.”
(c) For Time Trials under CTT rules, the CTT parental consent form and declaration must also be signed.
(d) THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT MUST APPEAR ON THE SIGNING ON SHEET AND MUST BE USED IN ALL EVENTS EXCLUDING THE TIME TRIAL IF HELD UNDER CTT REGULATIONS:
“I agree that I participate at my own risk and without liability by the British Schools’ Cycling Association, or their servants or officials.”
28. START SHEETS.
A Start Sheet shall be circulated to all entrants in National Championships, not fewer than seven days prior to the date of the event.
29. RESULTS SHEETS.
a) A Result sheet for National Championships shall be circulated, within ten days of the event, to entrants, the BAR Secretary and the Racing Secretary. Result Sheets shall include the correct names of School followed by locations (unless obvious from names).
b) A provisional result shall be posted at the event on the day.
30. QUALIFICATION:
Should selection for a National Championship be necessary, the first ten individuals and the winning team from the appropriate Regional Championship shall have priority, provided that they enter.
32. CHAMPIONSHIP PRIZES.
The official prizes awarded by the Association for its Championships (Regional and National) shall be as follows:
Regional Championships
*32 a) A gold medal, badge and certificate to the first individual; a silver medal and certificate to the second individual; a bronze medal and certificate to the third individual.
32 b) Gold medals and certificates to the first school team.
National Championships
(c) A gold medal, badge and certificate to the first individual; a silver medal and certificate to the second individual; a bronze medal and certificate to the third individual.
(d) Gold medals and certificates to the first school team.
33 (a) Individual Best All-Rounder Competition
(i) The Regional and National Best All Rounder points competitions to be awarded separately to each age group U7, U9, U11, U13, U15, O15, boys and girls.
(ii) Regional BAR Competition to consist of all Regional Championships (Cyclo-Cross, Circuit Race, Time Trial, MTB, Grass Track, Hard Track, Hill Climb and Roller Racing Omnium). Points to be awarded 10, 9, 8, 7, etc. to 1 for the top 10 placed riders (i.e. 80 points maximum if eight events in category). Awards to the top three in each category, minimum 3 to count. as for Regional Championships.
(iii) National BAR Competition to consist of all National Championships (Cyclo-Cross, Circuit Race, Time Trial, MTB, Grass Track, Hard Track, Hill Climb and Roller Racing Omnium). Points to be awarded 20, 19, 18, 17, etc. to 1 for the top 20 placed riders, (i.e. 160 maximum covering 8 National Championships), minimum of 3 to count.. Regional Championship points will not count towards the National BAR Awards, medals to the top three in each category, certificates to the top six. The top six to be listed on the website.
*(iv) A new Dave Shrubbs Memorial Trophy to be awarded to the child with the highest number of national points over all age categories. The BSCA Executive Committee will have the final decision as to the recipient each year. The Trophy is to be returned to BSCA annually in May. A BAR plaque will be given to the winner to keep.
(b) Best All-Round School Competition
To be the addition of all individual riders’ points from Regional and National Championships
Amended March 2016
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