Race Regulations

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

The 2024 Niseko Classic is organized by Hokkaido Events Corporation under the regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and managed by the Japan Cycling Federation (JCF) as a round of UCI GrandFond World Series (UGFWS). It is to take place on 16th June 2024 as Road Race event. Also concurrently to UGFWS events, HCF 2024 Road Race is organized on 16th June 2024 as support events.

The events of 2024 Niseko Classic which registered as UGFWS (UCI Grand Fond World Series) calendar events are open to riders who are the members of a UCI affiliated national federations or hold a day license. Participants will be categorized according to how old he/she turns or turned within the year.

Regarding the 65+ age category, depending on the entry numbers, we may separate new age category according the UCI Gran Fondo World Series regulation. (eg. Age 65-69, 70-74, 75-79 etc.)

The results of these events shall be reference of qualification for UCI Grand Fond World Championships.

Also this event provides Hokkaido Cycling Federation (HCF) ranking points. Furthermore, other points will be awarded as follows besides the UGFWS rankings. For Road Race events, HCF race points are A150 points.

The categories of events organized as UGFWS events are:

Men's Road Race
Age group 19~34・150 km Road Race
Age group 35~39・150 km Road Race
Age group 40~44・150 km Road Race
Age group 45~49・150 km Road Race
Age group 50~54・80 km Road Race
Age group 55~59・80 km Road Race
Age group 60~64・80 km Road Race
Age group 65+・80 km Road Race

Women's Road Race
Age group 19~34・80 km Road Race
Age group 35~39・80 km Road Race
Age group 40~44・80 km Road Race
Age group 45~49・80 km Road Race
Age group 50~54・80 km Road Race
Age group 55~59・80 km Road Race
Age group 60~64・80 km Road Race
Age group 65+・80 km Road Race

The HCF (Hokkaido Cycling Federation) events of 2024 Niseko Classic are open to riders who are the members of a UCI affiliated national federations or hold a day license. Participants will be categorized according to how old he/she turns or turned within the year.

The results of these events shall not be reference of qualification for UCI Grand Fond World Championships.

This event provides Hokkaido Cycling Federation (HCF) ranking points. For Road Race events, HCF race points are A150 points.

The categories of events organized as HCF events are:

Men's Road Race
Age group 16~18/High Schooler・150 km Road Race
Age group 16~18/High Schooler・80 km Road Race
Age group 19~39・80 km Road Race
Age group 40~49・80 km Road Race
Age group 50+・150 km Road Race

Women's Road Race
Age group 19+・150 km Road Race

All equipment (especially wheels) used in both races (Time Trial and Road Races) must be in accordance with UCI and JCF regulations. Bikes with weight of under 6.8kg and bikes with the following equipment cannot be used for the Road Races; Time Trial Bars, Disk Wheels, Time Trial bikes. Usage of time Time Trial Bars, Disk Wheels, and Time Trial Bikes are permitted only for the Time Trial race.

Riders must wear approved helmets that meet safety standards of their countries.

The Race Headquarter shall be open at the following location from 5:00 to 18:00 on June 15 (Sat) and June 16 (Sun) , 2024 at Niseko Grand Hirafu Start/Finish area.

License-control will be done prior to the race using data and will not be held at the Main venue.

Participants must present receive body numbers, frame plates and timing transponders at the Main venue.

*12:00 – 18:00 (Fri) June 14, 2024
*09:00 – 16:00 on (Sat) June 15, 2024

Rider’s meeting held in the presence of the Commissaires’ Panel will be commenced online livestream as part of the COVID-19 infection prevention. All participants must watch the livestream under appropriate internet connection to receive guidance.
*16:00 – 16:30 on (Fri) June 14, 2024

Every rider who participates in 150 km or 80 km races shall be confirmed his/her start by operation verification of transponder that is undertaken at the Main Venue. After that, riders should be instructed to move to the starting point.

For the start of the Road Race event, the Wave Start Format with groups is applied under strict practice of social distancing. After the start with waves, waves will be rejoined before the “0 km point” which differs from the starting point. Official start shall be done at “0 km point” and timing is start.

There will be neutral support by Amer Sports Japan, Inc., (MAVIC) and SHIMANO. Also, 6 neutral support motorbikes and 4 vehicles will be provided. The prepared freewheel shall be Campagnolo and Shimanogear cassette (11-speed).

**During this event, the organizer do not support for wheels with disk brakes as neutral service.

Feed zone will be set up at following locations. Also, the throwing-away of a water bottle, a food bag and so on is prohibited, except in the specified feed zone or green zone (waste zone).
*Distance form finish line

Riders who have abandoned the race must wait at the left side of the road for the sag wagon to arrive, be picked up and carried to the Race Headquarter.

Riders who have dropped a certain time behind the leading rider will be disqualified by the commissaires who board on the sag wagon.

The organizer shall set checkpoints. With setting checkpoints along the course for every race, the organizer will have the discretion to disqualify riders who have not reached the checkpoints within the pre-designated time and eliminate them from the race.

Those who are disqualified at the checkpoints should remove body numbers, frame plates as well as timing transponders at a designated place and return them. Riders and their bikes will be transported to the RaceHeadquarter by the sag wagon prepared by the organizer. Therefore riders should not ride on the course after being disqualified. Transported bikes should be picked up at the pick-up point located within the Race Headquarter before 14:00.
**Please not that information above may change without notice.

The King of Mountain Classification will be contested over the designated climb in the course of 80km at Rankoshi Hinode and 150 km at Panorama Line Shinsen Marsh. The King of the Mountains (KOM) prize will be awarded to the first rider over the KOM counting point from each age category.

However, this prize is not in conformity with the UCI regulations. To notify 1.0 km from the KOM counting point, a signboard as following picture will be posted.

A Sprint Classification will be contested over the designated section, located in Oikomi, Kyowa-cho Town.

A competitor that recorded the fastest time on the designated section from each age category are awarded the Classification.

This is not an official Classification under the term of UCI. To notify 1.0 km from the counting point, a signboard as following picture will be posted.

All vehicles of the caravan except for COM1, COM2, Sag wagon and doctor car should turn left at Hirafu Intersection (900m before the finish line) driving into the detour route.

Body numbers and frame plates are to be affixed as required. The identification numbers provided by the organizer shall be used by riders without any kind of alteration. A transponder will be used to time the race. Therefore, make sure that the transponder is attached to your bike correctly.

After finishing the race, return your transponder to the “Timing Device Return” located within the venue.

Communique will not be displayed at the venue nor will be distributed. It will be displayed on the official website along with Social Media posts.

The race course will generally enforce full-width restrictions (restrictions on both lanes).

However, for safety reasons, participants are expected to adhere to the KEEP-LEFT principle. Especially overtaking that involves crossing the centerline in blind corners and descents are strictly prohibited.

Moreover, under all circumstances, participants must not impede the movement of emergency vehicles or race officials' vehicles.

In a case of injury during the race, the organizer’s medical team only provides an emergency treatment. A participant is responsible for the full checkup and treatment after the race.

Participant is obliged to have both personal accident insurance and third party liability insurance. Overseas participant is obliged to have an insurance policy that is valid in Japan. Beyond the coverage of organizer’s insurance policy and emergency treatment given during the race, a participant is not to assume obligation in accordance with her or his responsibility.