Race Regulations

*Please note that following information are subjest to change without notice.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Championships represent the highest level of competition for amateur road cyclists of all ages from every continent.
To participate in the annual UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, riders must qualify by finishing within the top 25% of their age category at a qualifying event of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.

For the 2026 edition (Niseko, Japan), please refer to the UCI Gran Fondo World Series (UGFWS) website for the schedule of qualifying events.

Each UCI Gran Fondo World Series event offers qualification slots for the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.
Based on the race results, the top 25% of riders in each age category are eligible to qualify for the World Championships.

The 25% qualification threshold is calculated based on the number of starters in each age category, not the number of finishers.
To obtain a qualification spot, riders must complete the race.

The top three (3) finishers in each official age category automatically qualify for direct entry to the World Championships, regardless of the total number of starters in that category.

Eligibility for the World Championships is not managed by the World Championships organizer or by the organizers of qualifying events.
All qualifications are verified by the UCI, which issues the official invitations (entry notifications).

Therefore, any inquiries regarding qualification from UCI Gran Fondo World Series events should be directed to:
[email protected]

August 26, 2026 (Wed)

August 27, 2026 (Thu)

August 28, 2026 (Fri)

August 29, 2026 (Sat)

August 30, 2026 (Sun)

This out-and-back course starts and finishes at Kyowa Town Hall, featuring a scenic section with panoramic views of the Niseko mountain range.

• Date: August 27, 2026 (Thu)
• Start Time: 07:00
• Distance: 15 km / Elevation Gain: 73 m
• Course Format: Out-and-back (clockwise)
• Start Location: Start Box at Kyowa Town Hall Venue
• Finish Location: Kyowa Town Hall Venue
• Briefing: August 26 (Wed), 14:00
  (Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Venue)
• Entry Fee: JPY 18,500

The Team Relay, held in the host town of Kutchan, is an official World Championships event where Rainbow Jerseys and medals are awarded.
Riders who are registered for the Time Trial and/or Road Race are eligible to participate.

Format:
Teams consist of four (4) riders of the same nationality. A maximum of 25 teams will be accepted.
The first rider from each team starts simultaneously. When the first rider crosses the finish line at the end of their third lap, the next rider may begin their three laps.
This process continues, and the team finishes when the fourth rider completes three laps and crosses the finish line.

• Date: August 28, 2026 (Fri)
• Start Time: 16:00
• Course: 1.9 km circuit / 3 laps per rider
  Elevation Gain: 21 m
• Riding Direction: Counterclockwise
• Start / Finish: Kutchan Town Gymnasium
• Briefing: August 28 (Fri), from 13:00
  • At least one team representative must attend to submit the rider start order.
• Team Composition Requirements:
  Each team must include at least one (1) male and one (1) female rider, and all team members must wear the same national jersey.
  • Male: 1 rider (any age)
  • Female: 1 rider (any age)
  • Male or Female: 1 rider aged 40 or over
  • Male or Female: 1 rider aged 50 or over
• Entry Fee: JPY 7,500 per rider

Starting and finishing at Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, this challenging mountain course passes through Rankoshi Town along the Shiribetsu River, renowned as one of Japan’s clearest rivers.
The route then climbs over the Niseko Panorama Line, home to Hokkaido’s highest KOM, before a fast descent down to Kyowa Town.
With a total elevation gain exceeding 2,370 meters, this is a demanding, full-scale mountain course.

• Date: August 30, 2026 (Sun)
• Start Time: 06:00
• Distance: 139.5 km / Elevation Gain: 2,370 m
• Start Location: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
• Finish Location: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
• Briefing: August 29 (Sat), 14:00
  (Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu)
• Entry Fee: JPY 31,000

This mountain course features an early climb over the Niseko Panorama Line, with a total elevation gain of 1,572 meters.
Both the start and finish are located at Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu, the same venue as the Gran Fondo 140 km race.

• Date: August 30, 2026 (Sun)
• Start Time: 06:45
• Distance: 76.2 km / Elevation Gain: 1,572 m
• Start Location: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
• Finish Location: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu
• Briefing: August 29 (Sat), 14:00
  (Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu)
• Entry Fee: JPY 31,000

Basic Refund Policy (General Rule)

1. All paid entry fees are non-refundable under any circumstances.
2. Cancellations due to personal reasons—including but not limited to injury or illness of the participant, family matters, work-related reasons, travel restrictions, weather conditions, transportation delays or cancellations—are not eligible for a refund.

Event Cancellation by Organizer Decision

If the event cannot be held due to infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters, or other similar circumstances at the event location, the organizer may decide to cancel the event.
Only in such cases, the following refund policy will apply:

• Event canceled after entries open and up to one month before the event date
  (on or before July 25, 2026): 50% refund
• Event canceled between one month and two weeks before the event date
  (July 26 – August 12, 2026): 30% refund
• Event canceled 13 days or less before the event date
  (on or after August 13, 2026): No refund

Age Categories

Age categories are as follows:
19–34, 35–39, 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, 85–89

Age categories are defined based on the rider’s age as of December 31 of the year in which the World Championships take place.
(Age at December 31, 2026)

Race numbers are color-coded by age category so that competitors can easily identify riders within the same category.
(Men and women in the same age category use the same color.)

License Requirements

To participate, riders must hold a valid racing license issued by their national cycling federation
(one-day licenses are not accepted), a UCI ID, and appropriate insurance valid in the host country, including third-party liability coverage.

Riders must present proof of their license showing their UCI ID (physical card, printed copy, or online verification).
Participation is not permitted with one-day licenses or licenses issued by federations not affiliated with the UCI.

Neutral Support

Neutral support will be provided upon request by the commissaires via radio, within operational limits.

Neutral support is not guaranteed for all start groups, so riders are advised to carry spare tubes/tires and a pump.

Following the race with personal support vehicles is strictly prohibited.

Neutral support for the Time Trial and Team Relay is available at the midpoint of the course.

Doping Control

All riders are subject to doping control and may be required to provide a sample at any time.

It is the rider’s responsibility to confirm whether they have been selected for testing.

Doping Control Locations:

Time Trial: Kyowa Town Hall Venue

Team Relay: Kutchan Town Gymnasium

Road Race: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Venue

Bicycle Regulations

Riders must compete on road bicycles.
The use of time trial (TT) bikes is prohibited in road races.

For the Time Trial, all bicycles are subject to a UCI equipment compliance check.

Key points are outlined below:

1. Fixed handlebar extensions are permitted.
2. Depending on the rider’s height category, limits apply to:
   - the maximum horizontal distance from the bottom bracket axis to the tip of the extensions, and
   - the maximum vertical difference between the forearm support point and the extension tip.
   • Category 1: Rider height under 180.0 cm
     – Maximum reach: 800 mm
     – Vertical difference: less than 100 mm
   • Category 2: Rider height 180.0 cm to under 190.0 cm
     – Maximum reach: 800 mm
     – Vertical difference: less than 120 mm
   • Category 3: Rider height 190.0 cm or taller
     – Maximum reach: 850 mm
     – Vertical difference: less than 140 mm
3. For the 2026 event, the UCI rider height category registration rule will not be applied.
   However, riders in Category 2 and Category 3 are strongly recommended to undergo a pre-race bike check.

Random checks for illegal modifications (including motorized assistance) and bike weight inspections may be conducted.
The minimum bike weight is 6.8 kg, excluding bottles and GPS devices.

Special Notes

As a general rule, all riders and race vehicles must keep to the left side of the road.
The passage of emergency vehicles always takes priority over the race.

Although the race course will generally be subject to full road closure (both directions), riders must keep left at all times, except where it is unavoidable for safety reasons.

In particular, on steep descents and blind corners, crossing the center line or overtaking other riders is strictly prohibited.

Under all circumstances, riders must not obstruct emergency vehicles or commissaire vehicles.

In Case of Injury

In the event of an accident during the race, medical support will be limited to first aid provided by the event medical team.
Any subsequent medical treatment shall be the sole responsibility of the participant.

Insurance

Participants are required to have personal accident insurance and third-party liability insurance.
Participants may not claim responsibility from the organizer beyond the scope of the organizer’s insurance coverage and the provision of first aid.

Overseas participants must ensure that they are covered by insurance valid within Japan.

Registration & Rider Pack

All riders must complete on-site registration, including license verification and collection of the rider pack.

All riders must complete on-site registration, including license verification and collection of the rider pack.

Please ensure you have your UCI ID available.

The rider pack includes the timing transponder, race number (bib), safety pins, helmet sticker, frame plate, and related items.

Information Desk

The Information Desk is located adjacent to the registration area and operates during the same hours as registration.

Location: Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Venue

Rider Briefing

Rider briefings will be held on the registration day for each race.
Briefings will cover the course, procedures, wave starts, rules, and safety instructions

All Road Race participants must watch the course caution video, which will be distributed in advance, prior to racing..

Lost & Found

Lost items should be reported to the Information Desk. 
Any unclaimed items will be properly disposed of approximately one month after the event.

Medical Services

Medical services will be provided by Sapporo Private Ambulance Services, supplementing the local emergency response system. 

The Main Medical Center will be located at the Niseko Tokyu Grand Hirafu Venue. 
Ambulance vehicles will be stationed at the Time Trial venue, Team Relay venue, and along the Road Race course.