The M&M Engineering Tour of Belize 2008

February 13^th- 17^th 2008

Specific Regulations

Article 1. ORGANIZATION

The M&M Engineering Tour is organized by the M&M Engineering Tour Committee of 2 ½ miles Northern Highway, Belize City, Belize under the regulations of the UCI (International Cycling Union) enrolled in the class 2.2 of World Ranking UCI. It is to held from February13th- 17^th, 2008.

The Secretary General for each stage is Robin Mckenzie, Project Director. The organization’s address is:

Address:  M&M Engineering Tour of Belize

                2 mls Northern Highway

                Belize City

                Belize

Phone Number: 223-1033                     Cellular: 625-4210                           Fax number: 223-4719

Email Address: cooley2000@hotmail.com

Article 2. TYPE OF EVENT

The event is open to athletes of the Men’s Elite and under 23 categories. The event is entered on the UCI America Tour calendar and is registered as a class 2.2 event. In conformity with the UCI rules, points are awarded as follows for the UCI ranking of the Elite and U23 Continental Classification.

Final General Classification	Points	Stage Placings	Points	Daily Individual GC Leader Points
1	40	1	8	4
2	30	2	5
3	16	3	2
4	12
5	10
6	8
7	6
8	3

Article 3. PARTICIPATION

According to article 2.1.005 of the UCI regulation, the event is open to the following teams: UCI Professional Continental Team, UCI Continental Team, National Team, Regional Team or Club Team.  

As per article 2.2.003 of the UCI regulations, teams must be formed of minimum of (6) six and maximum of (9) nine riders.

Article 4. RACE HEADQUARTERS

The race headquarters shall be open starting at 9:00 am on Monday, February 11 and is located at:

Belize City Centre

Central American Blvd.

Belize City

Team representatives are requested to confirm their starters and collect their race numbers at the race headquarters from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2008.

The team managers’ meeting, organized in accordance with article 1.2.087 of the UCI regulations, in the presence of the Members of the Commissaries Panel, is scheduled for 5:00 pm (1700 h) on Tuesday, February 12 at the race headquarters.

Article 5. TEAM TIME TRIAL

The starting order of the Stage 3 Team Time Trial will be taken from the General Classification of teams at the end of Stage 2. Teams shall start at three-minute intervals in reverse order of Individual General Classification. The team’s time will be recorded when the fourth rider crosses the line. Any rider behind the team will be given their individual time. The maximum amount of time that a rider who finishes with their team loses to the riders on the winning team is determined by the placing of their team. Riders given the time of the team that finishes second can lose no more than 20 seconds, 3^rd- 30 seconds, 4^th- 40 seconds and so on in ten second increments down to the 21^st team whose riders can lose no more than 3 minutes. If the team finishes closer to the winners than the maximum, the riders get the actual team time.

The Race Jury reserves the right to modify the start order to potentially avoid teams passing one another.

All follow vehicles must be driven by a UCI license holder.

Article 6. RADIO TOUR

The Radio Tour service is handled by technician Sidney Turton of Marine Technical Services.

The frequency for Radio Tour is 160.075 mhz with a tone of 100.0.

Article 7. NEUTRAL TECHNICAL SUPPORT

The technical support service is handled by M&M Engineering Tour Organization. The vehicles will be provided with Shimano parts.  For this reason, it is advised that teams using another brand should provide its own material to these vehicles to avoid compatibility problems.

The neutral support is taken care of by means of:

• 2 automobiles                           • 2 motorcycles

Article 8. Race incidents occurring in the last three kilometers

In the case of a duly noted fall, puncture or mechanical problem after passing the three kilometer to go point, the rider(s) involved shall be credited with the time of the rider(s) in whose company they were riding at the moment of the accident. His or their placing shall be determined by the order in which he or they actually cross the finishing line.

If, as the result of a fall beyond the three kilometer to go point, a rider cannot cross the finish line, he shall be placed last in the stage and credited with the time of the rider or riders in whose company he was riding at the time of the accident.

However, in conformity with article 2.6.029 of the UCI rules, the above provisions are not applicable for Stage 3 (time trial stage) on February 14 or Stage 5 (mountain-top finish) on February 16.

Article 9. Finishing Time Limits

Taking into account the characteristics of each stage, the finishing time limits have been set as follows:

Stage 1                10%

Stage 2                10%

Stage 3                20%

Stage 4                15%

Stage 5                20%

Stage 6                none

The time limit may, in exceptional circumstances, be increased by the Commissaires’ Panel in agreement with the organizer according to the article 2.6.032.

Article 10. Classifications - Time bonuses – Postings

The following classifications will be issued. All leaders are required to wear the appropriate jersey.

Article 11. Winner of the Stage

The Belize Electricity Limited winner of the stage is determined by the first rider that crosses the line at the end of the stages.

12.1 Individual General Classification

The competitor with the lowest cumulative time for all stages will be the Cessa Cement Race Leader. At the conclusion of the M&M Engineering Tour of Belize this rider will become the winner of the General Classification. The race leader’s time will include any time penalties assessed by the Jury of Commissaires as well as Time Bonuses awarded in individual stages.

In accordance with article 2.6.015 of the UCI regulations, in the event of a tie in the individual general classification, the following criteria shall be applied until the tie is broken:

1. The fractions of a second from the team time trial shall be added back into the total time to decide the order.

      2.   The sum of the stage placings shall be added.

      3.   The place obtained in the last stage ridden.

Time Bonuses will be awarded at both the intermediate sprints and stage finishes on the following stages:

Stage 1 Belize City- Mexico Border- Orange Walk

Stage 2 Orange Walk- Burrell Boom- Belize City

Stage 4 Belize City- Benque Viejo

Stage 5 Benque Viejo- Dangriga- Gap

Stage 6 Cayo- Benque Viejo- Belize City

		2nd
	1st		2nd	3rd
Stage Finish	10”		6”	4”
Intermediate Sprint	3”		2”	1”

11.2 Best Team Classification

In accordance with article 2.6.016 of the UCI regulations, the team classification for the day shall be calculated on the basis of the sum of the three best individual times from each team in each stage ridden. In the event of a tie, the teams are separated by the sum of the places acquired by their three best-placed riders on the stage. In the event that the position is still tied, the placing of their best-placed rider for the stage separates the teams.

For the Team Time Trial stage, the final time awarded to the team shall be used. In the event of a tie, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the teams are separated:

1. Number of first places in the daily team classifications.

      2.   Number of second places in the daily team classifications, etc.

      3.   In the event that the position is still tied, the teams are separated by the placing of the best-

           placed rider in the individual general classification.

Any team reduced to fewer than three riders shall be eliminated from the team general classification.

11.3 Best Sub- 23 Rider Classification

The Belize Tourism Board Best Sub-23 Rider classification is restricted to riders born on or after January 1, 1985. The highest placing on the Individual General Classification shall be the Best Sub-23 Rider.

11.4 KOM Classification

The Joseph & Taylor Mountain Climber’s classification is based on the total points awarded at the KOM locations. Exact locations and mileage are indicated on the course maps and technical summary in the technical guide. Note that points will be awarded for the Stage 4&5 finish. Points are awarded as follows:

General Information Race Regulations

	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
2.2	12	10	8	7	6	5	4	3	2	1
Cat 1	10	9	7	6	5	4	2
Cat 2	8	7	6	5	3
Cat3	6	5	4	3	1
Cat 4	4