Rules - Road Races

*Please note that following information may change without notice.

2 courses of 140km and 80km across the Niseko mountain range in Kutchan, Kyowa, Rankoshi, and Niseko towns in Hokkaido."

Friday, 13 June 2025
Niseko Grand Hirafu main venue

• Race Registration 10:00 – 17:00
• Online Riders Meeting 16:00 – 16:30
  

Saturday, 14 June 2025
Niseko Grand Hirafu main venue

• Race Registration 11:00 – 17:00

Sunday, 15 June 2025
Gran Fondo 140km Road Race / Niseko Grand Hirafu main venue

• Transponder(timing chip) test (= sign-on) 5:00 - 5:45
• Line-up by 6:00, after sign-on
• Race start 6:00 - finish 12:15 (*race will be held rain or shine)
• Awards Ceremony (photo session only): 11:00 - (scheduled)

Medio Fondo 80km Road Race / Niseko Grand Hirafu main venue

*Both 140km and 80km will start from Niseko Grand Hirafu this year.

• Transponder(timing chip) test (= sign-on): 5:00 - 6:15
• Line-up by 6:30, after sign-on
• Race start 6:30 - finish 12:15 (*race will be held rain or shine)
• Awards Ceremony (photo session only): 11:00 - (scheduled)
  

*Please note that race start time may change depending on the progression of 140km race.

Gran Fondo 140km

The course features continuous ups and downs from the start, leading to the Niseko Panorama Line, the highest KOM in Hokkaido. After crossing the pass, riders descend swiftly to the Sea of Japan. With an elevation gain of over 2,370m, this is a true mountain course.

Medio Fondo 80km

Early in the race, riders will tackle the Niseko Panorama Line, making for a challenging mountain course with an elevation gain of 1,572m. Both the start and finish take place at the same venue as the Gran Fondo 140km, Niseko Grand Hirafu.

• Men and Women age 16 and over.
• Participants are classified according to the year of birth.
  * Minors must have parental consent.
• For the UGFWS, participants are required to compete in the designated race and age category. Any woman or man who participates in a race other than the UCI-designated race or is aged 18 or younger is not eligible for the UGFWS（ and will ride as an HCF race participant). *HCF=Hokkaido Cycling Federatio
  
• HCF-registered participants are assigned a designated race distance based on their class.
• Below riders are not eligible to enter the race:
  1. All riders who are part of a UCI trade team in 2025.
  2. All riders who have taken part in the World Championship, the Olympic Games, Continental Championship or Games, Regional Games, the Commonwealth Games, or the World Cup in 2025.
  3. All riders with UCI points in any discipline.

Individual Road Race
Gran Fondo 140km / Medio Fondo 80km

*For the cutoff points (check points), there will be four locations in the Gran Fondo 140km and two in the Medio Fondo 80km. Riders who fail to pass these points within the designated time limits will be disqualified and removed from the race.

• Gran Fondo 140km Road Race

1. UCI Gran Fondo World Series
[Men] : Age 19 – 34 / 35 – 39 / 40 – 44 / 45 – 49

*Top three riders in each age category will be awarded. 25% of the total number of riders in each age category at the start will qualify for the World Championship.

2. Non-UCI Gran Fondo category (HCF race)

[Men] : Age 50+ / High school student
[Women] : Age 19+ / High school student

*Top three riders in each age category will be awarded.

• Medio Fondo 80km Road Race

1. UCI Gran Fondo World Series

[Men] : Age 50 – 54 / 55 – 59 / 60 – 64 / 65 - 69 / 70 -74 / 75+ / High school student
[Women] : Age 19 – 34 / 35 – 39 / 40 – 44 / 45 – 49 / 50 – 54 / 55 – 59 / 60 – 64 / 65 - 69 / 70 - 74 / 75+

2. Non-UCI Gran Fondo category (HCF Race)

[Men] : Age 19 – 39 / 40 – 49 / High school student
[Women] : High school student

*Top three riders in each age category will be awarded.

• Gran Fondo 140km - 700 people
• Medio Fondo 80km - 700 people
  
• Total 1,400 people

• 140km Road Race ¥ 29,000 + payment system fee
• 80km Road Race ¥ 26,000 + payment system fee

*JCF-registerd participants will get 1,000 yen off.
(JCF=Japan Cycling Federation)
*Entry fee is non-refundable

Entry Start: 12:00 noon, Friday, 21 February, 2025
Entry Close: 6:00pm, Friday, 16 May, 2025

*Race entry will close once entries reach maximum number for each race category.

Niseko Classic Management Office
Email: [email protected]
Attn: Mr. Maeda, Hokkaido Events Corporation
15-3, Kita-1 Nishi-2, Kutchan-cho, Abuta-gun
Hokkaido 044-0051, JAPAN
Tel: +81-136-55-6081

1. This race will be held under the regulations of the Union Cycliste international (UCI) and Japan Cycling Federation(JCF).
2. Participants must wear an approved helmet that meets safety standards of his/her country.
3. All the equipment (especially wheels) that is used in the race must be in the accordance with the UCI and JFC regulations. Usage of extension bars are forbidden and bikes weighed less than 6.8kg is automatically disqualified.
4. Bikes, used in the race must be “road bike, mountain bike or cross bike”. A time trial bike is not allowed.
5. For the road race, participants who fell behind each check point’s cut off time are automatically disqualified.
6. A transponder is used to track the time of the race.
7. Wave start will be adopted for the start method. Number of rider in each wave is determined by JCF regulation.

1. Bib, number plates, and timing chip will be handed over at the registration desk on June 13 (Fri) and June 14 (Sat). Please identify yourself with your name and race category. These items will not be mailed.
2. Licence-control will be done prior to the race using data at the Main venue. However, to prevent substitution or proxy participation, we may ask to present your national license card so please bring it with you.
3. Please bring a license card (with picture of yourself) or something(license card) that you can identify yourself. If a substituted rider or any other form of frauds are witnessed, a participant is banned from the entry of Niseko Classic with an indefinite term.
4. It is mandatory for all participants to attend the online riders meeting.
5. Riders must check if the transponder is working at venue before the race as sign-up. Riders must attach the transponder( timing chip) to their bike before the start. Riders without timing chip are not allowed to start.
6. News and other information are updated only on the website. Communiques boards will not be installed at the venue.
7. For the start method, wave start will be adopted for the safety and to avoid the confusion. Please note that there will be a minute interval between each wave.
   
8. Medical team will provide a temporary first-aid treatment for injuries caused by accidents during the race. An extensive treatment will not be provided by them. Upon finishing the race, each participant is suggested to make a visit to a hospital.
   
9. The race is carried out on public roads. Riders are obliged to follow the organizer’s instruction. Those who act against are disqualified and expelled from the race immediately.
10. If participants who have decided to suspend the race should report to officials, committee members and security immediately. (The event headquarter phone number is 0136-55-6081.)
11. Please attach the timing chip to your bike during the race and immediately return it to Timing Chip Return set in the village after you finish. Damaging your chip or failure to return incurs 10,000JPY penalty as its replacement cost.
    
12. The organizer holds rights to use participants’ pictures, names, addresses, age or race careers in general advertising tools, press release and information media related to the event.
    Additionally, please note that they will be also used in publications, video or other media format created by the organizer.
13. To all participants and spectators: Active camera devices (EX: GoPro) must be placed i) firmly ii) locations where it won’t contact with a body (EX: under the handle bar) to avoid injuries. An operation of drone above the race road is prohibited.
14. Bib, number plates, and timing chip will be handed over at the registration desk. Please identify yourself with your name and race category. These will not be mailed in advance.
15. 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.

1. Feed zone

Feed zones are located at the places mentioned below. Water and sports drink in cycling bidon will be served. Riders are asked to dispose of their bottles at the disposal points (Litter Zone) set up around the feed stations. No trash will be allowed to be disposed of outside of the designated areas.

*Distances are displayed in distances from the finish.
*Please note that the above information may be subject to chage without prior notice.

2. Checkpoints (Cutoff Points)

Checkpoints will be set up for each race. Participants who fail to pass within the time limit must follow the instructions of the officials, leave the course, and return their race numbers and transponders (timing chips). They will be transported to the event venue by the support vehicles provided by the organizer. Bicycles should be picked up at the bike collection area at the venue by 14:00.

Participants wishing to return by their own means must follow the designated route. Participants must not enter the race course under any circumstances.

*Please note that the checkpoints and cutoff time may be subject to change without prior notice.

3. Race Number Categories (License holders / Temporary registrants )

4. Transponder (Timing Chip) Function Check & Race Sign-In (Registration)
Prior to the race, all participants are required to attach their transponder (timing chip) to their front fork and cross the designated timing mat to check the transponder function as a sign-up at the main venue. After the sign-up, please move to the designated start grid. Once the race starts, no further sign-up is accepted. If sign-up hasn't been completed, the participant will be disqualified.


5. Slow down
Participants shall slow down where slow down signatures are placed along the course.


6. HOT Spot sprint / KOM awards (TBC)
The first rider crossed the following point will be awarded.

Gran Fondo 140km (TBC)

Medio Fondo 80km (TBC)

7. After the Finish

Please follow the order of staff and move to the main venue for ensuring safety and avoid the crowd.


8. Awards Ceremony
Top three riders from each UCI age category and Non-UCI category (HCF Race), KOM, Hot Sprint will be awarded. The awards will only be with photo session. Please wear race wears when standing on podium.


9. Results and Finisher Certification
Results will be displayed on website. Also ‘Finisher’s Certification’ will be able to download online so please download on your own.


10.UCI Medals
Top 25% riders from each UCI age category shall receive a UCI medal at medal tent at the venue. Please note that it may take time to distribute it.


11. Injury during the race
Injury during the race, medical team will provide a temporary first-aid treatment for injuries caused by accidents during the race. An extensive treatment will not be provided by them. Upon finishing the race, each participant is suggested to make a visit to a hospital and the cost for this is on each participants.


12.Other
Participants will receive original goods when reception. If you could not participate and wish to receive the goods, please visit our office to pick up until the end of July.

<For Male First-Time Race Participants>
For newly registered male riders in the Hokkaido Cycling Federation (HCF) who are participating in a race for the first time:

・Ages 18–40 (after high school graduation) will be classified as S-4.
・Ages 41–54 will be classified as S-5.
・Ages 55 and above will be classified as M (based on their age as of January 1 of the registration year).

<HCF Race Points Classification>
It will be A (150P) Class, and points will be awarded within this class.
Points are given only to Hokkaido Cycling Federation (HCF) registered riders (Elite, S2–S5, M, L, J, JL).
Non-HCF registered riders, including participants from outside Hokkaido and general category riders, will not receive HCF points.

Point Allocation Rules:
Elite, S-2, S-3: Points are awarded only when participating in Gran Fondo 140km.
S-4, S-5, M, J: Points are awarded only when participating in Medio Fondo 80km.
L, JL: Points are awarded only when participating in Medio Fondo 80km.
Points are allocated based on finishing position, but only when participating in the designated class.