As with most competitions, there has to be a set of rules to make sure all participants are competing in a fair and even manner! The ROAG Series is no exception. Please read over the rules below and make sure you comply with them. Failure to do so could mean a disqualification for the specific event and a non-result! We know 2020 and 2021 have been difficult and has resulted in some major changes. These are the latest rules as updated in January 2022 and refer only to the 2021/2022 series. The rules for 2022 (see below) will remain in force.

2022 RACE RULES:

• Riders/Runners are required to take part and finish in at least six out of the nine or ten events (60% or more) and obtain points in the series to be in contention for any prizes. Should eight or less events take place in the series, riders and runners must take part in 60% or more of the events (so five out of eight, or five out of seven).
• Riders/runners must take part in the correct distance for each age category to earn points toward the final log positions.
• Overall points are calculated for male and female riders/runners separately (in other words the top 50 males and top 50 females are awarded points at each race).
• Only your top six results will count towards your overall points. However, in the event of a tie at the end of the series, the next-best non-counting results will be used as a tiebreaker; if results are still equal, then the tiebreaking process continues until the tie is broken. If the tie cannot be broken participants will jointly be placed in the higher position and share any prize money for the positions in contention (so if the position in contention is for 1^st and 2^nd, the participants will be jointly placed first and equally share the 1^st and 2^nd prize money).
• Prize winners need to be present at the ROAG Series Awards Dinner in order for them to be awarded their prize/s and/prize money.
• Please note that the Youths and Juniors are required to take part in the 40km-45km (Classic) distances for their races. Please be aware of this when entering for your race as you will not be awarded points in the Youth and Junior categories if you take part in the 60km event.
• A Grand Prix Points System will decide the category winners with the top 50 riders /runners overall and in each age category being awarded points. At the end of the series, the riders/runners with the most points from their best six results overall and in each age category will be used to decide finishing positions in each of the respective categories.
• The overall MTB prize is only for riders doing the full distance events (thus nippers, sprogs and sub juniors are not eligible for the overall prize) and is calculated separately to the age category prizes. In other words a sub vet can win overall and also be eligible for sub vets category prizes (although he will earn different points according to where he finishes overall and in the sub vets category). Youth and juniors are eligible for the overall prize only if they complete at least six events. They may not take part in the ultra-distance (marathon [60km +] distances) event, therefore they will not be eligible to earn overall points for these races.
• The overall Trail Run prize is only for runners who are running in the correct distance for their age category. U18s need to compete in the short course while over 18s need to compete in the long course.
• A rider/runner may only earn points in the age category according to his birth date. In other words a veteran cannot chose to compete as a sub veteran or senior.
• Should any dispute occur, a committee of three people appointed by ROAG will arbitrate and their decision will be final and binding.
• Should a series race be cancelled for any reason whatsoever the decision to replace the event in the series with another, and how the points calculations will be amended, is solely at the discretion of ROAG who will inform riders via e-mail of their decision.
• If a child (nipper, sprog or sub junior) would like to be on the podium for any MTB ROAG Series Races then parents are not allowed to ride alongside their child during the race. The parent/s must ride at least 20 metres behind the child and only assist them in cases of emergency.
• ROAG will administer the series and their decisions are final and binding. By taking part in the series all riders agree to be bound by the rules as decided by ROAG.
• All MTB participants must adhere to the rules of CSA and KZN MTB. Any participant found guilty of disregarding these rules will be disqualified from the race and will not be awarded points for the race in question.
• Prize Winners need to be present at the ROAG Series Awards Dinner in order for them to be awarded their prize/s and/prize money.

Sappi Karkloof Classic as SA Champs and the Quattro ROAG Series powered by Momentum.

The 2022 Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival deservedly doubles as the South Africa MTB Marathon Championships, which adds prestige to the event but does also cause some anomalies with how the Quattro ROAG Series powered by Momentum assigns points for the MTB categories.

Cycling South Africa has certain requirements with regards to the age categories and which events participants must enter to qualify for national age group titles. However, at times this is at odds with the traditional way in which the ROAG Series has assigned points for the MTB events.

So, for 2022 ROAG will need to adjust the traditional points structure for the Karkloof Classic so as to work around the CSA requirements and ensure the ROAG Series points structure is as fair as possible. While the system we have devised will allow all riders to earn points in both the overall and their age categories, there are sure to be some people who are disadvantaged in some cases and we apologise in advance, but genuinely feel this is the fairest and best way to handle this scenario for the majority.

NOTE 1: This is only relevant for the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival. All other events will follow traditional points allocations.

NOTE 2: For the trail runners, the Saturday events only will be used for points allocation. The 9km trail run on Sunday will not be used for any points allocations for the Quattro ROAG Series powered by Momentum.

• 85km riders will be allocated points according to their positions and the traditional points structures (100pts for 1^st, 86 points for 2^nd etc etc);
• 60km riders will be allocated overall points starting one position after the number of finishers in the 85km event (if the 85km has 30 finishers, the leading 60km rider will be allocated points for 31^st position, the 2^nd 60km rider will be allocated points for 32^nd, etc etc);
• 40km riders will be allocated overall points starting one position after the total number of finishers in the 85km & 60km event (if the 85km has 20 finishers, and there are 15 finishers in the 40km for a total of 35 finishers, the leading 40km rider will be allocated points for 36^th position, the 2^nd 40km rider will be allocated points for 37^th, etc etc);
• Women’s points will be allocated in eatly the same manner as above (85km results, then 60km results then 40km results) but only women's results will count (leading women will get 100 pts, 2nd 86pts etc etc).
• The overall points are allocated according to the above structure regardless of age categories (see age cat results below).

The overall points for the Intermediate events will be normal with results from the 20km event in both age categories and overall used to determine the points.

• All age category points will only be awarded according to the designated championships race (see table below).
• If a rider competes in longer or shorter race that is not designated as the championship distance for his age category and gender, he or she will not earn age category points.

AMENDED RULES FOR 2021/2022 SEASON ONLY

• • Riders/Runners are required to take part and finish in at least five out of the official ROAG Series events held between 1^st January 2021 and 7^th May 2022, and obtain points in the series to be in contention for any prizes.
  • Riders/runners must take part in the correct distance for each 2021 age category to earn points toward the final log positions.
  • Youths and Juniors are required to take part in the 40km-45km (classic) distances for ALL races. Please be aware of this when entering for your race as you will not be awarded points in the Youth and Junior categories if you take part in the 60-65km event.
  • Points for the 2021 series will be calculated according to the 2021 age grouping (this does mean some rider will be placed at the event according to 2022 age category but will be placed for the series according to their 2021 age and thus be classified in a different age group).
    • Only your top five results will count towards your overall points. However, in the event of a tie at the end of the series, the next-best non-counting results will be used as a tiebreaker; if results are still equal, then the tiebreaking process continues until the tie is broken. If the tie cannot be broken participants will jointly be placed in the higher position and share any prize money for the positions in contention (so if the position in contention is for 1^st and 2^nd, the participants will be jointly placed first and equally share the combined 1^st and 2^nd prize money).
    • Prize Winners need to be present at the ROAG Series Awards Dinner in order for them to be awarded their prize/s and/prize money.
    • The following events will be held in 2022 but will form part of the 2021 series: Illovo Wartburg 2022 (February 12, 2022); Shongweni Event 2022 (March 20, 2022); Holla Time Trial (April 2, 3 & 9, 2022); New Hanover MTB & Trail (May 7, 2022).
    • The New Hanover MTB & Trail will straddle both the 2021 Series and the 2022 Series and riders and runners can earn points for both series at this event. For riders who were sub juniors in 2021 and youth in 2022; or juniors in 2021 and seniors in 2022; or trail runners who were U18 in 2021 and senior in 2022 this means you will have to make a decision as to whether you wish to run or ride in your 2021 category or your 2022 category and accordingly make a decision on the distance you enter. For all other competitors, ROAG will ensure the correct points for your age category.
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  • All other series rules remain in force.