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Special rules

Article 1. Organisation

The 45th TOUR DE L’AVENIR is organised by TDF Sport and Amaury Sport Organisation, under the regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Fédération Française de Cyclisme (French Cycling Federation).

It will take place from the 5th to the 14th of September and consists of 1 prologue and 9 stages.

 

Article 2. Type of event

The event is reserved for athletes of the Elite Men’s U.23 Category and is registered on the continental European calendar in class 2.Ncup.

Counting towards the Nations Cup reserved for riders from 19 to 22 years, the Tour de l’Avenir awards the following points:

30 - 25 - 20 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 to the first 20 riders of the final general classification.

For each stage: point(s) to the first 3 riders.

Only the first rider from each nation scores points based on his actual place in the event.

 

Article 3. Participation

In accordance with UCI regulations, the event is open to:

  • National teams,
  • Mixed teams representing nations.

In accordance with article 2.2.003, each team is made up of 6 riders of 19 to 22 years of age maximum this year.

 

Article 4. Race HQ

The race headquarters, where licence-holding team managers must collect race numbers, will be open on Wednesday the 4th of September from 2:30 pm to 7.00 pm.

The team managers’ meeting, in the presence of members of the college of stewards, is scheduled for Thursday the 4th of September at 5.00 pm at the race headquarters.

The official team presentation will take place on Wednesday the 4th of September from 6:30 pm.

 

Article 5. Radio-Tour

Information on the race will be broadcast on “Radio-Tour”, using the frequency of 169.425 MHZ.

 

Article 6. Neutral technical support

The neutral support service is provided by the MAVIC Company with 3 vehicles.

 

Article 7. Finishing deadline

In each straight stage, there is a finishing deadline increased by 15 % in relation to the winner’s time.

In the 6th stage, which is an individual time trial, the deadline is 25 %.

In accordance with article 2.6.032 of the U.C.I. regulations, the College of stewards may extend finishing time limits after consultation with the organiser.

Finishes for the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 7th and the 8th stage are summit finishes. The rule for the last 3 kilometres will not be applied.

 

Article 8. Bonus points

Time bonus points are awarded in straight stages from the 1st to the 9th stage, with the exception of the 6th stage which is a time trial.

They are awarded as follows in accordance with UCI article 2.6.019:

  • on stage finishes: 10'', 6'', 4'' to the first 3 classified riders,
  • on each intermediate sprint: 3'', 2'', 1'' to the first 3 classified riders.
 

Article 9. Prologue and individual time trial

In Chalette-sur-Loing: spaced at 1 minute intervals, starts will be given in the order established by the race Direction and the team managers.

In Blaye-les-Mines: spaced at 1 minute intervals, starts will be given in the reverse order of the general classification of the 5th stage.

 

Article 10. General individual classification on time

The general individual classification on time is based on the sum of the times recorded for each rider in the prologue and each of the 9 stages, taking bonuses and penalties into consideration - UCI article 2.6.014.

The leader of the general individual classification on time shall wear the Yellow Jersey.

 

Article 11. General individual classification by points

A classification by points is based on the sum of the points obtained in the prologue and each of the 9 stages as well as the intermediate sprints in accordance with UCI article 2.6.017.

The following points are awarded:

  • for the prologue and the 6th individual time-trial stage, from the 1st to the 10th classified rider: 12, 10, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point(s).
  • from the 1st to the 9th stage, except for the 6th individual time trial stage, from the 1st to the 20th classified rider: 30, 27, 25, 23, 21, 19, 17, 15, 13, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point(s).
  • in each intermediate sprint, the following points are awarded respectively: 3, 2 and 1 to the first 3 classified riders.

In the event of a tie in the final general classification, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the riders are separated:

  • number of stage wins,
  • number of wins in intermediate sprints,
  • final general classification on time.

The leader of the classification by points shall wear the Green Jersey.

 

Article 12. General individual Best Climber’s classification

A general individual Best Climber’s classification is based on the sum of the points obtained in the climbs and passes which count towards this classification, in accordance with the following scales:

Category 1 climbs and passes: 15, 13, 11, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 points, respectively for the 1st to the 8th classified rider.

Category 2 climbs and passes: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 points, respectively for the 1st to the 6th classified rider.

Category 3 climbs and passes: 5, 3, 2 and 1 point(s), respectively for the 1st to the 4th classified rider.

Category 4 climbs and passes: 3, 2 and 1 point(s), respectively for the 1st to the 3rd classified rider.

In the event of a tie in the general Best Climber’s classification, the rider who has obtained the largest number of first places at the top of category 1 Climbs and Passes shall be declared the winner. In the event that the positions are still tied, the riders shall be separated by the number of first places obtained in category 2 Climbs and Passes. The number of first places obtained in category 3 Climbs and Passes may also be taken into account if there is still a tie. Final separation in the event of a further tie will be based on the general individual classification by time.

In order to be placed in the general Best Climber’s classification, award winners must finish the event.

The leader of the Best Climber’s classification shall wear the red Polka Dot Jersey.

 

Article 13. General team classification

The team classification for the day is based on the sum of the three best individual times from each team. In the event of a tie, the teams shall be separated by the sum of the places obtained by their three best placed riders on the stage. The team general classification is calculated on the basis of the sum of the three best individual times from each team in the prologue and in each stage ridden. In the event of a tie, the following criteria shall be applied until the teams are separated:

  • number of first places in the daily team classification,
  • number of second places in the daily team classification,
  • etc.

Any team reduced to fewer than three riders is eliminated from the general team Classification.

 

Article 14. Anti-doping tests

Anti-doping tests are carried out under the authority of the International Cycling Union and designated officials at the finish of each stage in the organisation's trailer.

 

Article 15. Awards ceremony

After each stage, the following must present themselves on the podium at the awards ceremony:

  • The stage winner,
  • The leader of the general individual classification on time,
  • The leader of the general individual classification by points,
  • The leader of the general best climber’s classification.

At the start of each stage, the following must present themselves on the podium:

  • The leading team in the general team classification,
  • The leading team in the general Nations Cup classification.
 

Article 16. Penalties

Penalties are in accordance with UCI regulations.

 

Prizes awarded