Race Regulations

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

The 2025 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). Time Trial is to take place on 14th June 2025 and Road Races on 15th June 2025. Also concurrently to UGFWS events, HCF 2025 Races are organized as support events.

The events of 2025 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 75+ age category, depending on the entry numbers, we may make new age category according the UCI Gran Fondo World Series regulation. (eg. Age 75-79 / Age 80-84 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・140 km Road Race
Age group 35~39・140 km Road Race
Age group 40~44・140 km Road Race
Age group 45~49・140 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 65~69・80 km Road Race
Age group 70~74・80 km Road Race
Age group 75+・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 65~69・80 km Road Race
Age group 70~74・80 km Road Race
Age group 75+・80 km Road Race

The HCF (Hokkaido Cycling Federation) events of 2025 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・140 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+・140 km Road Race

Women's Road Race
Age group 19+・140 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 13 (Fri) and June 15 (Sun) , 2025 at Niseko Grand Hirafu Start / Finish area.

License-control will be held prior to the race day using data be held at the Main venue.

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

*10:00 – 17:00 on (Fri) June 13, 2025: Road Race / Time Trial
*11:00 – 17:00 on (Sat) June 14, 2025: Road Race

Rider’s meeting held in the presence of the Commissaires’ Panel will be commenced online livestream. All participants must watch the livestream under appropriate internet connection to receive guidance.

*16:00 – 16:30 on (Fri) June 13, 2025

At the Time Trial event, the rider shall assemble to the Starting area 15 minutes before the starting time.

After the arrival at the starting area, riders stand by within the starting grid and must not leave the starting area. Weight checks may be performed.

The starting order and timing of individual time trial shall be determined by the organizer and all riders are to follow the decision. The rider shall start his ride under the orders of the timekeeper-commissaires who shall count down to the starting time, following which the timing of the ride shall start. The time of any rider who reports late to the start shall be calculated from that rider's scheduled starting time.

Every rider who participates in 140 km or 80 km races shall be confirmed his/her sign-on 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 with social distancing. After the start 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 MAVIC and SHIMANO. Also, 6 neutral support motorbikes and 4 vehicles will be provided.

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 Litter 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 Race Headquarter 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.

TBC

TBC

All vehicles of the caravan except for COM1, COM2, Sag wagon and doctor car should go straight at Gondora-zaka Intersection (300m before the finish line) driving into the detour route. Riders will turn right at this point to the finish.

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). Emergency vehicles have priority over the race.

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.