Rules and regulations
TERMS OF PARTICIPATION POLICY
99ER CYCLE TOUR
SECTION A: INDEMNITY
SECTION B: ELIGIBILITY, ENTRY RULES AND CONDITIONS
SECTION C: GENERAL PARTICIPATION RACE RULES, ON-COURSE CONDUCT AND SAFETY
SECTION D: GRAVEL BIKE REGULATIONS
SECTION E: E-BIKE REGULATIONS
SECTION F: TIMING, SEEDING, RESULTS AND PRIZE GIVING
SECTION G: MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT
SECTION H: DISQUALIFICATION, APPEALS, AND COMMISSAIRE AUTHORITY
SECTION I: EVENT MODIFICATIONS, CANCELLATIONS, AND BAD WEATHER POLICY
SECTION J: MEDIA AND DIGITAL CONSENT
INTRODUCTION
The 99er Cycle Tour is organized by the El Shaddai Christian School (ESCS).
This event is sanctioned by Cycling South Africa (Cycling SA) and adheres to both Cycling SA and UCI (International Cycling Union) regulations. El Shaddai Christian School along with the support of local authorities, sponsors, and volunteers (referred to as the ‘Entities’’), is focused on providing a secure competitive and recreational environment for cyclists of all levels.
By participating, all entrants agree to abide by the terms and conditions set forth by El Shaddai Christian School and all associated entities.
SECTION A: INDEMNITY
All entrants participate entirely at their own risk and by entering the event, the entrant confirms:
Assumption of Risk and Liability Waiver
- Participants acknowledge the risks involved in cycling events and assume responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred. Organizers, sponsors, and affiliates are not liable for injuries, damages, or losses except in cases of proven gross negligence.
1. They are medically fit to complete the course.
2. The bicycle they are using is in a roadworthy condition.
3. Acknowledge the risks and hazards inherent in a venture of this nature.
4. Attend and/or participate in the event entirely at their risk.
5. Is obliged to strictly adhere to all the applicable rules and directives of the event organizers, including all individuals appointed to assist the organizers in respect of the event.
6. Waiver of Claims: Entrants accept and agree that they, their estate, dependents, and those whom they represent shall not have any claim of any nature or kind against the El Shaddai Christian School, along with the support of local authorities, sponsors, and volunteers for any cost, loss, damage, injury, disability, or death which may be incurred or suffered by themselves, their estate, and/or dependents arising directly or indirectly from participation in the event or any associated activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
a. The use of facilities and/or amenities.
b. Any incidents arising from defective materials or equipment.
c. Any human or mechanical error, default, or failure, or from any other cause whatsoever.
7. Exceptions to the above for claims may be valid only if there is proof that such cost, loss, damage, injury, disability, or death was due to the sole negligence of the ENTITIES. In such an event, the ENTITIES’ potential liability shall be limited to claims covered under the ENTITIES’ insurance policies, and only to the extent that such claims are accepted and settled by the ENTITIES’ insurer(s).
SECTION B: ELIGIBILITY, ENTRY RULES AND CONDITIONS
8. Event Rules and Compliance
a. This event is sanctioned by Cycling SA and all participants must comply with UCI and CYCLING SA regulations.
b. Disregarding these regulations will be grounds for disqualification and / or disciplinary procedures.
9. Membership / Licensing Requirements
a. All participants are required to hold a valid Cycling SA annual membership or day membership.
b. To be eligible for prize money, riders may require a racing license as per the Cycling SA regulations.
10. Bicycle Types:
a. Participants may only use a human-powered bicycle or an E-Bike (see Section on E-Bike Regulations).
b. Human-powered bicycle categories include individual and tandem entries.
c. E-Bike entries are only permitted in the individual open seeded categoryies and are available for all distances.
d. Paracycling bicycles as per the UCI regulations may participate, but no special categories or separate start times will be coordinated. Riders will be ranked as per general seeding index / past performances.
11. Categories, Ages and Race distances
a. Road Cycling – 95 km race
§ Elite and U23 Cycling SA Licensed Riders – Men + Women
§ Junior Cycling SA Licensed Riders – Men
§ Veteran 30 – 39 Cycling SA Licensed Riders – Men + Women
§ Veteran 40 – 49 Cycling SA Licensed Riders – Men + women
§ Veteran 50 + Cycling SA Licensed Riders – Men + Women
§ Open Seeded Groups
i. Participants must be older than 12 years
ii. Participants 14 years and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
b. Road Cycling – 76 km race
§ Junior Cycling SA Licensed Women + U17 Cycling SA Member Girls
§ U17 Cycling SA Member Boys
§ Open Seeded Groups
i. Participants must be older than 12 years.
ii. Participants 14 years and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
c. Road Cycling – 45 km race
§ Open Seeded Groups
i. Participants 14 years and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
d. Gravel Distances: 80km
§ Open Seeded Groups
i. Participants must be older than 12 years.
ii. Participants 14 years and younger need to be accompanied by an adult.
12. Guardian Consent:
a. Participants under 18 years must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
13. Non-Transferable Entry and Registration
a. Registration is personal to each participant and is strictly non-transferable.
b. Entry fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
14. Standard Substitution
a. Riders may not substitute or transfer their entry to another person under any circumstances. Each rider must compete under the name and registration details they originally submitted.
b. Riders are strictly prohibited from using another rider’s race number (bib), timing chip, or any other official event materials. Each rider must wear their assigned race number and use the corresponding timing chip for the duration of the event.
c. Any rider found violating this rule, including transferring their entry or using someone else’s race number, will face disciplinary action.
15. Collection of Race Packet
a. Participants must collect their race packs, which include essential items such as race numbers, timing chips, and other event-specific materials, during the designated times at pre-event registration.
b. Failure to collect the race pack (number and chip), may result in a rider not being able to participate.
SECTION C: GENERAL PARTICIPATION RACE RULES, ON-COURSE CONDUCT AND SAFETY
16. Identification
a. Participants must display their race number visibly on their back and provide their contact details to marshals or other riders after incidents.
17. Safety Standards and Equipment Requirements
a. Helmet Requirements:
§ All participants must wear hard-shell helmets that comply with UCI and CYCLING SA safety standards. Helmets must be securely fastened at all times while on the course.
b. Prohibited Equipment:
§ The use of triathlon bars, time trial bars, aerobars, clip-ons, or similar handlebar extensions is strictly prohibited. Bicycles and equipment must meet UCI standards, and participants are encouraged to carry essential spares for any mechanical issues during the event.
18. Sportmanship, Behavior and Conduct:
a. Conduct and Safety
§ Participants must behave with due regard for the safety of others, obey traffic laws, and comply with instructions from race marshals, traffic officers, and commissaires. Riders must keep to the left side of the road and give way to emergency vehicles.
b. Respect and Sportsmanship
§ Participants are expected to exhibit sportsmanship throughout the event. Unsportsmanlike behavior—including aggressive riding, verbal abuse, or intimidation of other riders, officials, or volunteers—is prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.
c. Disciplinary Actions
§ Serious incidents of misconduct may be reported to Cycling SA for further disciplinary procedures.
19. Traffic and Route Compliance
a. Traffic Laws and Marshal Instructions:
§ All participants must obey South African traffic laws and follow instructions from race officials and marshals.
§ Cyclists must stay on the left side of the road and are prohibited from crossing the center line (solid white line), as doing so poses a safety risk and may lead to disqualification.
b. Route Compliance:
§ Participants are required to follow the designated course as shown on the official map provided by the event organizers.
§ It is the responsibility of each participant to familiarize themselves with the route in advance, as organizers will not be accountable for any participant deviations.
c. Prohibition on Slipstreaming:
§ Slipstreaming behind private vehicles is strictly forbidden.
d. Event Cut-Off and Sweep Vehicle:
§ Riders who have not completed the course by the official cut-off times must withdraw and will be picked up by a sweep vehicle. No rider may proceed on the course after the official cut-off times. To view official cut off times visit www.99er.co.za.
20. Refreshments Points
a. Refreshment Station
§ There will be a minimum five refreshment points available throughout the event. To view official refreshment points, visit www.99er.co.za.
b. Refreshment Station Protocol:
§ For general participants, stopping for refreshments requires pulling off the road at designated stations.
§ For racing categories, feeding and technical service will be coordinated by the race commissaire during the event.
§ Shouting at volunteers or demanding service while cycling past refreshment stations is prohibited and may result in penalties or disqualification.
21. Littering and Environmental Responsibility
a. Participants must dispose of litter in designated areas along the route. Littering outside of these areas is prohibited and may result in penalties or disqualification.
SECTION D: GRAVEL BIKE REGULATIONS
22. Definition and Equipment Standards for Gravel Bikes
a. Gravel bikes are designed for off-road surfaces and must be equipped with drop handlebars and two working brakes.
b. Gravel bikes are not permitted to have aerobars or similar extensions.
c. Mountain bikes, hybrids, or other bikes with straight handlebars are allowed with bar ends.
23. Gravel Bike Event course
- The course will consist of a combination of gravel, jeep track, or unpaved roads, with minimal single-track sections.
SECTION E: E-BIKE REGULATIONS
24. Definition of an E-Bike
a. An E-Bike is defined as a bicycle with two energy sources: human pedal power and an electric motor providing assistance only when the rider is pedaling.
25. Equipment Standards Specifications:
a. In absence of Cycling SA regulartion for E-Road Bikes (which shall include the use of any gravel E-Gravel Bike or E-MTB Bike), the UCI regulations for E-Road Bike racing, detailed in Part II, Chapter IV of the UCI Cycling Regulations shall apply:
§ Motor Specifications: According to Article 2.4.001, E-Road Bikes must be equipped with an electric motor that does not exceed a continuous rated power output of 250 watts. The motor’s assistance is limited to speeds up to 25 km/h; beyond this speed, the motor must cease to provide assistance to the rider.
§ Equipment Compliance: Article 2.4.002 specifies that bicycles used in UCI-sanctioned E-Road Bike events must comply with the European standard EN15194, which defines the technical requirements for e-bikes, including aspects like motor power and assistance limits.
§ Battery Regulations: While there is no explicit limit on battery size, no rider participating in the event may use a battery with more than 750Wh capacity. Riders are permitted to use only one battery per race and cannot change batteries during the race.
26. Technical Inspections:
a. A Cycling SA official may conduct technical inspections to ensure compliance with equipment regulations. Non-compliance can result in penalties or disqualification.
27. Prize and Result Limitations:
a. E-Bike participants are not eligible for seeding or prizes and will be marked as E-Bike entries in official results.
SECTION F: TIMING, SEEDING, RESULTS AND PRIZE GIVING
28. Timing Requirements
a. Participants must purchase a timing chip/board to be eligible for official seeding and prize money, if they do not already own a permanent chip. Those without a timing unit will not receive an official time and will be ineligible for prizes or official placements.
29. Seeding
a. The 95km road and 80km Gravel events serves as official seeding events for the 2025 Cape Town Cycle Tour.
b. This event requires pre-entry. Limited late entries may be available at registration, but seeding is not guaranteed for these participants. Additional surcharges and late entry penalty fees apply for late entries.
30. Protests
a. Any protests or complaints regarding timing or race results must be submitted in writing to the Race Jury within 24 hours of the race’s conclusion. The Race Jury’s decision on all race matters is final and binding.
31. Prize Giving Attendance and Protocol
a. In accordance with CYCLING SA rules, all prize-winning participants must attend the prize-giving ceremony unless prior arrangements have been made with the event organizer. Failure to attend may result in forfeiture of awards.
b. Prize-giving will commence at 10:30. Attendance at the prize-giving ceremony is mandatory for all category winners; failure to attend may result in the forfeiture of awards, including prize money and titles.
c. Riders are expected to attend the prize-giving ceremony in appropriate cycling team and club attire.
d. Prize winners may be subject to anti-doping control procedures in accordance with CYCLING SA and UCI anti-doping regulations.
e. Participants must respect the event’s podium protocol, following the order in which awards are presented and avoiding any disruptive behavior that could detract from the event’s professional image.
32. Categories and Prizes
a. Prizes will be awarded to the first 3 riders across the line, except for the 45 km where only the first rider in either the men or the women category will receive a hamper. Please refer to the Prizes Structure.
b. Some category prizes have been combined and riders will race together.
c. No e-bike participants qualify for any prizes.
d. Prizes will be awarded across various categories, following CYCLING SA classifications. The Race Organizer reserves the right to adjust the number of prize winners in each category based on the number of participants. The prizes can be viewed on the event website:
SECTION G: MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT
33. Medical Insurance
a. Participants are advised to have personal medical insurance.
b. Riders must fill in their medical aid name and number at the designated area on the race number.
34. Medical Assistance
a. Medical personnel will be stationed at multiple locations along the course to assist participants in need.
b. Sweep vehicles will also be available to support those unable to continue due to injury or fatigue.
35. Emergency Protocol
a. By participating in the event, riders consent to event medical staff administering necessary treatment in an emergency.
b. All medical costs incurred are the responsibility of the participant.
SECTION H: DISQUALIFICATION, APPEALS, AND COMMISSAIRE AUTHORITY
36. Authority of Commissaires and Race-Day Decisions
a. Commissaire Role: All race-day incidents and infractions fall under the jurisdiction of UCI and CYCLING SA-appointed commissaires, who have full authority to interpret and enforce race regulations. Decisions made by commissaires on race day are final.
37. Organizer-Imposed Penalties and Appeals
a. For non-race-related infractions (e.g., administrative issues), the event organizers have authority to impose penalties or disqualifications.
b. Appeals for penalties imposed by the event organizer must be submitted within three days of the penalty notice. A tribunal appointed by the event will review the appeal and may reinstate the participant, impose additional penalties, or deny the appeal.
38. Publication of Sanctions
- Participants consent to the public display of their name and race number if disqualified.
SECTION I: EVENT MODIFICATIONS, CANCELLATIONS, AND BAD WEATHER POLICY
39. Right to Modify or Cancel the Event
a. The event organizer reserves the right to modify, re-route, delay, or cancel the event if conditions are deemed unsafe for participants. This may include situations caused by natural disasters, severe weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond the organizer’s control. Any changes to the event will be communicated to participants as early as possible.
40. Bad Weather Policy
a. Event Continuation and Safety Assessment
§ The event organizer intends for the event to proceed regardless of poor weather conditions; however, participant safety is paramount. In the case of adverse weather, including high winds, heavy rain, lightning, extreme heat, or other weather-related hazards, the event organizer, safety officer, and president commissaire will assess conditions on the day. If conditions pose a risk to safety, the event may be delayed, modified, or canceled.
b. Cancellation Due to Bad Weather
§ No refunds will be provided in case of cancellation due to weather.
c. Partial Event Completion
§ If the event has started but cannot be completed due to worsening weather conditions, results will be recorded up to the last feasible checkpoint.
d. Participant Responsibilities During Bad Weather
§ Personal Judgment: While the organizer will take every measure to ensure safety, participants are encouraged to exercise personal judgment regarding their ability to safely participate under specific weather conditions. If a participant feels uncomfortable with the weather conditions, they may choose not to participate and may carry over their entry to the next event, subject to organizer approval.
§ Preparation for Weather Conditions: Participants should be prepared for varying weather conditions by bringing appropriate gear, such as rain jackets, sun protection, and hydration. Adjustments to equipment, such as securing additional safety gear, should be made in advance.
41. Event Communication
a. All weather-related changes, cancellations, or rescheduling announcements will be communicated to participants via email and updates on the official event website and social media channels. Participants are encouraged to check these platforms on the day of the event for the latest updates.
SECTION J: MEDIA AND DIGITAL CONSENT
1. Permission to Use Photographs and Media
a. By participating in the 99er Cycle Tour, participants grant the event organizer and its affiliates permission to use any photographs, video footage, or digital recordings taken during the event for marketing, promotional, and archival purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, usage on websites, social media, newsletters, and other marketing channels.
b. Participants agree that no compensation will be provided for the use of such media and that all rights to these images and recordings are owned by the event organizer.
2. Parental Consent for Minors
a. Parents or legal guardians entering a minor (under 18 years of age) in the event also grant permission for the event organizer to use any photographs or video footage of the minor for the purposes described above.
b. By completing the entry for a minor, parents or legal guardians acknowledge and accept these terms on behalf of the minor and agree to the minor’s inclusion in event media.
3. Digital Communications and Data Retention
a. Participants consent to receive event-related communications, including updates, notifications, and promotional materials, via email and SMS. Contact details provided at registration will be retained for up to five years for purposes of communicating about future events.
b. Participants may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by following the unsubscribe link in emails or contacting [email address].
4. Digital Use and Data Consent
a. Personal Information: Participants’ personal information, including email and phone numbers, will be retained for up to five years to facilitate communication about this and future events. By entering, participants agree to receive event-related notifications and updates.
b. Media Release: Participants consent to the use of photographs, video footage, and other media taken during the event by organizers or their representatives for marketing and promotional purposes.