The 46th 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 13th of September 2009 and consists of 9 stages.
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: 3 - 2 - 1 point(s) to the first 3 riders.
Only the first rider from each nation scores points based on his actual place in the event.
In accordance with UCI regulations, the event is open to:
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.
The race headquarters, where licence-holding team managers must collect race numbers, will be open on Friday the 4th of September from 2:30 pm to 7.00 pm.
The team managers’ meeting, in the presence of members of the Commissaires’ Panel, is scheduled for Friday the 4th of September at 6.00 pm at the race headquarters.
The official team presentation will take place on Friday the 4th of September from 7:30 pm.
Information on the race will be broadcast on “Radio-Tour”, using the frequency of 169.425 MHZ.
The neutral support service is provided by the MAVIC Company with 3 vehicles.
In each straight stage, there is a finishing deadline increased by 15 % in relation to the winner’s time.
In the 8th 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.
The finish of the 6th stage is a summit finish. The rule for the last 3 kilometres will not be applied.
Time bonus points are awarded in straight stages from the 1st to the 9th stage, with the exception of the 8th stage which is a time trial.
They are awarded as follows in accordance with UCI article 2.6.019:
On the 8th stage, spaced at 1 minute intervals, starts will be given in the reverse order of the general classification of the 7th stage.
The general individual classification on time is based on the sum of the times recorded for each rider in each of the 9 stages, taking bonuses and penalties into consideration, in accordance with UCI article 2.6.014.
The leader of the general individual classification on time shall wear the Yellow Jersey.
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:
In the event of a tie in the final general classification, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the riders are separated:
The leader of the classification by points shall wear the Green Jersey.
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.
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:
Any team reduced to fewer than three riders is eliminated from the general team Classification.
The Green Bib prize is awarded to the most environmentally aware rider.
At the end of each of the 9 stages, this prize is delivered by a panel presided over by the event director. The designated rider will wear a green bib in the following day’s stage (except, of course, the final finish).
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.
After each stage, the following must present themselves on the podium at the awards ceremony:
At the start of each stage, the following must present themselves on the podium:
Penalties are in accordance with UCI regulations.
