COMPETITION RULES

 Section 1- General

1. The event.
The International youth tour of Assen is a more days stage race for boys and girls in the following categories:
youth I. until VII , nieuwelingen boys , nieuwelingen girls / junior ladies and junior men.

The Youth tour is ridden individually.

 All competitors must bring a racing licence given by their own national cycle federation or the UCI.

2. Rules.
The youth tour follows strict racing rules laid down by the K.N.W.U. (Dutch cycling federation).
The following rules are in addition to the above.

3. Licences.
During the youth tour all racing licences will be held by the racing secretary.

4. Entry- payment – taking part
Entries received by the racing secretary will be confirmed in writing via the e-mail with the message that the entry is definite when the total entry fee is paid.

When entry money is received, the competitor will be awarded with a start number in his or hers respective category. The name and number will then be published on the website starting list.

If entry money has not being received by the organization before 25th July 2008. The entry fee will be raised by €5. If later is proven that the fee was paid before the above date then the €5 will be rein bust. Only entering is no guarantee to take part.

5. Spare wheels
During the races the riders will be serviced by a neutral service wagon or by organisers of the youth tour.
It is forbidden to service a rider with new equipment other than mentioned above. 
The handing in of spare wheels is a requirement for all riders from category nieuwenlingen upwards

 A number will be hand out only after the spare wheels are handed in, this following the organizations set out plan.

 Back wheels are required to have at least 8 sprockets. The block is required to have original closing rings and spacers.

 Riders must hand in wheels with the sprocket ratios as close as possible to the ratio required in their own category

Nieuwenlingen  boys                           52 x 16
Nieuwenlingen girls                              52 x 16
Junior ladies                                       52 x 15      
Junior men                                          52 x 14

On the Sunday before the youth tour there will be a voluntary gear ratio check to make sure the competitor is riding on the correct gears.  

6. Gear ratios
For all categories taking part (I until VII) the use of a derailleur (gear changers) is allowed. Gearing not to excided the Ratio table under.

 7. Following the road race
From the viaduct "Graswijk'' it is not allowed to follow the race alongside on the main parallel road in the direction towards Hooghalen.
Looking at road traffic safety we ask all parents and coaches not to follow the race convoy.  

8. External points
During the Youth tour NO points can be earned for a race classification other than which is relevant to the international youth tour. 

9. Back numbers
According to the rules of the KNWU. the cycles sport it is forbidden to fold numbers or make them smaller in anyway.
If caught doing so, riders may be penalized.     

 10. Start times
The start times  for the stages are published in the magazine book. The actual starting lists which will be published by the jury on the day before the race stage in question. These lists will be hung up at the info centre. During the prologue and the individual time trial, the different categories will start directly after one another depending on the starting place. Competitors are required to be at the start at least 15 minutes before their starting time published on the starting list.    

11.Opening and the prize ceremonies.
The opening and the prize ceremonies are a part of the event programme of the youth tour. During every ceremony riders are expected to be dressed according to his or hers respective clubs/country or the competition jersey.  

Section 2. – The Event stages
During the youth tour there will be their following stages ridden: (A) individual time trial – (B) road race – (C) prologue – (D) classical road race – (E) criterium.

Additions to the K.N.W.U. rules and regulations.
For the stages (A and C) categories I to VII are not allowed to wear a so called time trial helmets or other material or equipment which is different to the rules for road races and criteriums.  Category youths.

 For the stages (B)(D) and (E) ,  spear wheels will be carried by the neutral service car, motorbike or designated service posts: This for the following categories. V, VI,VII, nieuwelingen , nieuwelingen girls  /junior ladies and junior boys.

 For stage (A) service posts will ( if possible) at 1km intervals. 

For the stages (B) and (D) the maximum time that competitors may fall behind in the peleton (main group) is decided by the jury in conjunction with the local police.

 Competitors who are taken out of the stage for this reason will be given the same time plus 5 minutes as the last competitor who is able to reach the finish. 

Competitors who do not start a stage are given the same time as the last competitor over the finish line plus 10 minutes. 

If a competitor falls or has genuine mechanical problems on the last lap or last 3 kilometre , a final end time will be given , the same as the group in which he or she was during the incident.

For stages (B) , (D) and (E).

 In stage (C) the prologue only when the jury decides genuine equipment defect may a restart be given.

When a foot shoots out a  peddle  A restart will NOT be given.

Bonus (Bonficatie punten).
The awards for  stages  (B) (D) and (E) will be as follows: 1st. until 10th. Place will receive a time bonus towards the general classification , respectively 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 seconds.

Protests.
Competitors who have a protest can submit their protests in writing and hand them in to the chairman of the jury. Protests in categories I to VII have to be made by their parent or youth leader.

Protests must be handed in: 

Regarding unusual incidents during the stage:     within 15 minutes after the finish.

Regarding stage classification:                             within 30 minutes after the results are released  .

Regarding overall classification:                            until the end of the day , the day after the result of the overall classification has been made public.

Starting orders during the youth tour.
Prologue:                                                 Starting order position is according to the official competitors start list.

Individual time trial :                                 Starting positions will be the reverse order of the general classification after the                                                                   last stage ridden.

Road race and classical road race:      Free starting order.

The rest of the stages:                          starting positions by lottery draw

All competitors are required to sign the starting list before the start of stages (B) and (D) , except for categories I to VII

Section 3. Classification

1. Jerseys
During the youth tour of Assen competitors will be racing for four classes , here as follows in order of importance.

General classification:       (yellow jersey)
Points classification:         (green jersey)
Special classification:         (special jersey)
Girls classification:            (pink jersey)

 If a competitor is leader of more than one classification , the highest jersey of importance will be awarded.
(In order of written above)

Then rider which is in second place in the next order of importance jersey will then ride with that leaders jersey of that classification. 
Daily winners of jerseys may keep them.
Competition leaders of respective classifications are required to wear the jerseys during the stages.
A leader of a classification is required to wear that jersey during the stage. Except for stage (A) individual time trial , When own aerodynamic clothing may be worn.

 Before the start of every stage the leaders jerseys will be given. The names of the (new) leaders jerseys will published
when possible in the daily bulletins. A the least, it will be made public by the jury at info centre.

The final overall winner of every classification will receive that jersey accordingly. 

2. Classifications
If in the situation of equal positions in the general classification and the individual time classification the competitors will be
separated by looking at the difference in fractions of time in the time trials. First the prologue then the individual time trial.

when there is a situation of equal points in the point jersey end classification the riders will be separated by looking at the points difference gained in the last stage, and then the stage before that and so on.

General classifications
The general classification made up by the total time in which stages (A) until (E) are ridden, with the possible time bonuses taken off or time penalties added on. The general classification is published every race after the last stage of that day is ridden.  

Point’s classification
During the stages  (E) criterium a number of points sprints will be signalled where points are awarded to the first 8 competitors who cross the start finish line on the next passage. Points in order are as follows: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.
All these points are added up and go towards the point’s classification.
By the stage (B) omloop road race the first 8 over the finish line earn points for this classification worth 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1  (Final sprint)

Special classification.
To race for the jersey special classification the competitor can score in the following stages:
In the stages (A) individual time trial (B) Omloop road race (C) Prologue (D) classical road race .
The stages (A) and (C) the first 5 across the line at the finish score 5-4-3-2-1 points respectively. 
In the stage (B) (omloop roadrace) will be sprints announced per category at a line marked on the course. These are worth 5-4-3-2-1 points.
In the stage (D) classical road race. Per category number of sprints at given places. Worth 5-4-3-2-1.
Locations: for the cat. niuwelingen , niuwelingen girls, junior ladies and junior men. At the end of every cobbles and at the top of the viaduct Graswijk.

Cat. Youth V. VI and VII at the viaduct’s Graswijk and Wittten.

Cat youth I,II, III, and IV at the viaduct Witten.

Girls classification.
By the youth categories I until VII there is a special general end classification the highest placed girl in that category.

Section 4. Actions and Penalties.

1.Folding race numbers into small sizes results in a time penalty of 45 seconds.
When there destruction to properties, Losses will be determined and billed to the person responsible.    

2.Behavioural misconduct, before, during and after the races . In and around the sports park and campsite area will be dealt with. The organisation has the right to determine the person or persons involved and there after exclude and/or remove that person or persons from the youth tour.

3.Competitors whom ride a stage on a higher gear ratio other than allowed in his or her category will receive an time penalty of 45 seconds.

4.When competitors have a puncture or equipment failure. Receiving wheels or equipment outside the organisations neutral service cars or places is not allowed. A time penalty of 15 seconds will be awarded.

Section 5. prize table -                       

Daily prizes – and runners up prizes
Day prize for categories I until VII per stage                               1 prize per 5 competitors
Day prize for the other categories                                             1st three competitors

To be able to win the following final prizes and final runner up prizes a competitor has to start in all the stages of the event.     
The following final / money and runners up prizes will be presented after the final race at the very end of the international youth tour.

General classification.
Final prizes for cat. I to VII - 1 prize per 3 competitors
Final prizes for:nieuwenlingen, nieuwelingen girls junior ladies, junior men - 1st three competitors.

Extra general  classification (youth girls)
In categories youth I until VII  special general classification prizes will be awarded to in that category competing girls.
In every category is 3 final prizes to be won.
Also in this classification a  pink jersey will be awarded to winning girl of each category  

Points classification and  Special classification.
Categories. I to VII                                                                 3 final prizes.
Nieuwelingen , nieuwelingen girls  junior.ladies , junior men,    3 final prizes.

Money prizes (€)
For the stage (D) town to town classical road race  (K.N.W.U.) prizes will apply.
Nieuwelingen P , nieuwelingen girls R junior ladies L  (m) and junior men K.

General classification.  

1              91                           6              36                           11            22                           16            19

2              80                           7              31                           12            22                           17            19

3              70                           8              30                           13            22                            18            16

4              55                           9              27                           14            22                           19            16

5              42                           10            25                           15            19                           20            16

Point’s classification. 

1              57                           2              34                           3              22

Special classification. 

1              57                           2              34                           3              22

The following prizes are for the junior.

General classification. 

1              114                         6              40                           11            27                           16            25

2                91                         7              36                           12            27                           17            25

3                70                         8              34                           13            27                           18            22

4                55                         9              30                           14            25                           19            22

5                45                         10            30                           15            25                           20            22

Point’s classification. 

1              70                           2              45                           3              22

Special classification. 

1              70                           2              45                           3              22 

If problems come to light which are here not mentioned , there will be a meeting of the jury and a decision will be made. If necessary the tour director will be consulted.

The organisation is in no way accountable for accidents/damages on competitors or third parties which arise before, during this and after the event.

Subject to change.

Emergencies. 

Alarm  number                      112    Police/ Fire/ Ambulance

 Hospitals.
Wilhelmina ziekenhuis Assen                Europaweg-zuid 1                 Assen                     0592-325555
Refaja ziekenhuis Stadskanaal              Boerenhave straat 1              Stadskanaal            0599-654654 
Schepers ziekenhuis Emmen                 Boermarkeweg 60                 Emmen                    0591-691911
UMCG ziekenhuis Groningen                 Hanzeplein 1                          Groningen               050-3616161