Special rules

ARTICLE 1. Organisation
The 61^st TOUR DE PICARDIE is organised by TDF Sport and Amaury Sport Organisation, according to the rules and regulations of the International Cycling Union (U.C.I.) and the Fédération Française de Cyclisme. It takes place on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 May 2007, in 4 stages.

ARTICLE 2. Type of Contest
The race is restricted to athletes of the Elite Male Category. It is registered on the Continental European Calendar as a class 1 event and awards the following points according to article 2.11.014 of the U.C.I. regulations:

General individual classification: 80 - 56 - 32 - 24 - 20. 16 - 12 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 and 3 points to the first 12 riders to pass the finish line.
Stage winners: 16 - 11 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 2 points to the first 6 riders to pass the finish line.
Rider wearing the leader's jersey for each stage: 8 points.

ARTICLE 3. Participation
In compliance with article 2.1.005 of the U.C.I. regulations, the contest is open to:

U.C.I. Pro Teams (maximum 50%)
Professional Continental Teams
Continental Teams
National Teams

In compliance with article 2.2.003, the number of contestants per team is 5 riders minimum and 8 maximum.

ARTICLE 4. Office Reception Hours
Registration takes place at the reception office on Thursday 17 May from 2.30pm to 6.00pm.
Race number bibs can be collected by licensed team managers between 2.30pm to 4.45pm.
The Sports directors meeting organised in accordance with article 1.2.087, is scheduled for 5.00pm, in the presence of the Stewards Committee, at the reception office of the organisation.

ARTICLE 5. Radio-Tour
Race information is broadcast on the "Radio-Tour" Frequency on 169.425MHZ..

ARTICLE 6. Neutral Technical Assistance
Neutral technical assistance will be provided by MAVIC using 3 vehicles.

ARTICLE 7. Finishing Time Frames
Depending on the characteristics of each stage, the maximum finishing times are set at 8% of the winner's time.
In compliance with article 2.6.032 of the U.C.I. regulations, the Stewards Committee can extend this finishing time after consultation with the organiser.

ARTICLE 8. Bonus Points
Time bonuses, which are only applicable to the general individual classification are awarded in the line stages and intermediate sprints, in compliance with article 2.6.019.
1°) For each intermediate sprint: 3" - 2" - 1"
2°) For finishes at 1st and 2nd stages: 10" - 6" - 4"
3°) For finishes at 3rd and 4th stages: 6" - 4" - 2"

ARTICLE 9. General Individual Time Classification
The general individual time classification is determined by adding together the recorded times for each stage, taking account of bonus points and time penalties - article 2.6.014 of the U.C.I.
The leader of the general individual time classification wears the Yellow Jersey.

Place	1^st stage	2^nd stage	3^rd stage	4^th stage	General Ranking
1^st	2 915 €	2 915 €	1 935 €	1 935 €	4 850 €
2^nd	1 475 €	1 475 €	985 €	985 €	2 460 €
3^rd	725 €	725 €	484 €	484 €	1 209 €
4^th	365 €	365 €	245 €	245 €	610 €
5^th	295 €	295 €	195 €	195 €	490 €
6^th	215 €	215 €	145 €	145 €	360 €
7^th	215 €	215 €	145 €	145 €	360 €
8^th	145 €	145 €	98 €	98 €	243 €
9^th	145 €	145 €	98 €	98 €	243 €
10^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
11^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
12^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
13^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
14^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
15^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
16^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
17^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
18^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
19^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
20^th	72 €	72 €	46 €	46 €	118 €
Total	7 287 €	7 287 €	4 836 €	4 836 €	12 123 €

Total of prizes for the general individual classification: €36,369

ARTICLE 10. Individual Points Classification
An individual points classification is determined by adding the points obtained in each of the 4 stages, as well as in the intermediate sprints, in accordance with article 2.6.017 of the U.C.I.

Awarded at each finish: 25 - 22 - 20 - 18 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 and 1 point to the first 20 riders to cross the finish line.

In each intermediate sprint: 3 - 2 and 1 point.

The leader of the individual points classification wears a Green Jersey.

In the event of a tie in the general final points classification, the following criteria are applied, until the overall winner determined:
1°) Number of stage victories
2°) Number of victories in the intermediate sprints
3°) General final time classification

Prizes awarded in the individual points classification are:

- For each of the intermediate sprints:

au 1^st: €100
au 2^nd: €75
au 3^rd: €25

i.e.€200 X 6 = €1,200

- For the general final classification:

au 1^st: €1,500
au 2^nd: €1,000
au 3^rd: €700

i.e. €3,200

Total prizes for the individual points classification: €4,400

ARTICLE 11. General Team Classification
In compliance with article 2.6.016 of the U.C.I. regulations, the day's team classification is determined by adding the three best individual times of each team. In the event of a tie, the winning team is determined by adding up the number of stage victories won by each team's top three riders.

If a tie should still result from this, the winning team is then determined by the place of their best rider in the stage's classification. The general team classification is determined by adding up the three best individual times of each team in each of the stages raced. In the event of a tie, the following criteria are applied until the overall winner is found:

1°) Number of first places in the day's team classification
2°) Number of second places in the day's team classification, etc.

If there is still a tie, the teams are ranked according to the place of their best rider in the general final classification.

Any team reduced to less than three riders is eliminated from the general team classification.

ARTICLE 12. Classification for Combativeness
The Prize for Combativeness recognises the most generous rider in terms of effort and sportsmanship demonstrated. This classification, determined in the 4 line stages, is awarded by a jury presided over by the Race Director.

Prizes awarded in the daily classification:
- €1,000 for each stage

Total prizes in the Classification for Combativeness: €4,000

ARTICLE 13. Prizes
Total amount of prizes awarded for the 61^st TOUR DE PICARDIE is:

General individual time classification €36,369
Individual points classification €4,400
Classification for Combativeness €4,000

TOTAL PRIZE MONEY €44,769

ARTICLE 14. Anti-doping Control
Anti-doping control is carried out under the authority of the U.C.I. and of the appointed officials at the finish line of each stage in the organisation's motor-home.

ARTICLE 15. Protocol
At the end of each stage, the following participants much present themselves for the protocol:

Stage winner
Leader of the general individual classification
Leader of the individual points classification
Combative rider of each stage

ARTICLE 16. Penalties
Penalties are in accordance with U.C.I regulations.