1. Eligibility

(a) To be eligible to compete in any event run under the jurisdiction of the AVCC, the competitor must be a financial member of a Club affiliated to a State/Territory body affiliated to the AVCC and covered by AVCC racing insurance.

(b) Riders will not be permitted to start in races, nor racing licences issued to those seeking membership, if bicycle safety standards as set out by the AVCC, are compromised.

(c) All State/Territory championships, national championships, open events, inter club and club events must be controlled by an AVCC accredited Referee.

2. Age Qualification

Membership of the AVCC is accepted on 1st January of the year in which a male reaches 35 years of age, or a female 30 years of age.

3. Misconduct

A competitor who is guilty of misconduct, disobeying an official, using undesirable language, urinating in public, striking or attempting to strike another member during the progress of an event, or at a place where the event is being conducted, shall be suspended, or fined, or both (see 10 below).

*Special Note: Under an agreement with Cyclesport Victoria, a rider suspended from competition by either Cyclesport Victoria or the VVCC shall automatically be suspended for the same period from competition with both bodies.

4. Judging

The finish of a race shall be judged by the first part of a bike that reaches an ‘imaginary' line approximately 343 mm above a finish line.

5. Flags

A black and white checkered flag shall denote a race finish. A red flag denotes danger and cyclists must stop if directed by the official displaying the flag. If a red flag is displayed from an official vehicle in a controlled race, no cyclist may pass the vehicle until the flag has been withdrawn.

6. Equipment and Clothing

(a) Race numbers must be prominently displayed at all times. Numbers must not be folded or damaged in any way and must be returned after the finish.

(b) An Australian approved and securely fastened helmet conforming to standard AS/NZ/2063 must be worn on the head at all times while riding. Australian approved teardrop helmets cannot be used in road races, but shall be allowed in road time trials and track time trials and pursuits.

(c) Competitors should be neatly attired at the start of a race and at after-race presentations. Racing jerseys must be designed so as to cover the upper arms and shoulders.

(d) Only equipment sanctioned and approved by the AVCC Inc. shall be permitted in races under its patronage.

The bicycle shall be a conventional triangular frame made from materials suitable for bicycle construction. The maximum length shall not be more than 185cm. and a width of not more than 50cm., either 65cm or 70cm wheels, and drop handlebars shall be used. For Road events two efficient hand brakes and a free wheel shall be used; 'Spinachi' and 'Tri' bars are not be used.

For road time trials it may have either a fixed wheel or freewheel system, standard time trial handlebars with handlebar extensions and elbow rests.

For track racing, in sprints and scratch races it shall have a fixed rear wheel.

In Time Trials and Pursuits free multiple gears, handlebar extensions and elbow rests may be used.

“Flat Bars” (Mountain bike style) shall not be permitted in any of the aforementioned disciplines.

Handlebar and handlebar extension ends must be plugged.

(e) It is an offence to compete on any bicycle unless it is mechanically sound and maintained to the highest safety standards. 'Singles' must be securely glued to the rim and road bicycles must be equipped with two efficient, independent brakes.

(f) Only conventional racing machines as described in Rule 6 (d) shall be used in AVCC events and no unfair aerodynamic advantage associated with a bicycle shall be allowed, nor any modifications or construction allowed that jeopardize safety.

Bicycle gear and brake controls may be modified to accommodate individual needs, however, modified controls will be mounted on conventional handlebars on a conventional bicycle.

7. Mechanical Mishaps

(a) If a mechanical mishap occurs (a puncture, machine damage or a fall) approaching the finish of a race, the competitor may run with or carry the bicycle over the line and still qualify for a finishing prize.

(b) In a criterium race, if a mechanical mishap occurs, (a puncture, machine damage or a fall), time out shall be allowed. The race referee shall determine the duration of the time out and the information conveyed to the competitors before the race. A competitor taking time out will not be allowed to gain advantage in terms of placing in the field when re-entering the race and must report to the referee to re-enter the race. Any rider who has been lapped by his/her own grade shall withdraw from the race at the showing of two laps to go board, or at the discretion of the referee. No rider shall take assistance from any grade other than his/her own. In the event of a breakaway lapping their grade, the sprint for minor places will be at the discretion of the referee.

8. General Racing Rules

(a) All competitors must abide by the State/Territory traffic laws, which include keeping to the left of the carriageway on open roads and not crossing double white lines. Competitors should avoid unnecessarily obstructing other traffic.

(b) Dangerous riding, including the practice of saluting by removing one or both hands off the handlebars at a finish, will not be tolerated and the Referee shall discipline any rider whom he/she deems to be guilty of this practice, or any other act that endangers other riders or road users.

(c) At anytime during a race that a sprint occurs the sprint rules shall apply whereby sprinting riders shall keep a straight line. Anyone suddenly veering, pushing or pulling, or in any other way causing dangerous obstruction shall be penalized.

(d) Competitors who receive outside assistance during a road race, such as holding onto or receiving pace from a moving vehicle or from non-or retired competitors or who receive refreshments or bike assistance (unless specifically sanctioned beforehand by the race referee) shall be disqualified.

(e) A competitor who is lapped or caught by another grade other than his/her own in a scratch race must not interfere with, or assist any other competitor nor participate in any sprints. The lapped rider must give way to the passing rider or group. It is a serious offence to sit in a bunch or share pace once lapped.

(f) Officials and Riders are deemed to be always under control of the Race Referee from the time that he or she enters, and remains present, in the event precinct.

9. Time Trial

(a) The Time Trial shall be preferably held on and out and home course.

(b) It is recomended that riders be graded, youngest starting first, through to oldest starting last. In Chanpionships, riders shall be graded into five year age groups.

(c) It is recomended that ladies start after the completion of the men.

(d) It is recomended that riders start at one minute intervals, and shall be held up by a steward at the start.

(e) If a rider misses their start position, then a corresponding time gap will be left. Under no cirumstances will a rider be moved up. Each rider will start at their allocated start time. If the rider misses their start, their start time will commence at the advertised start time, and the rider's time will be calculated from the original start position. A rider missing their start will be required to stop at the start line and place one foot on the ground before commencing. No flying starts will be permitted.

(f) Riders are requested to be in their start position five minutes before their allocated start time.

(g) Once a rider has left the starter's hands, no mechanical failures or punctures will allow a restart.

(h) Once the race has commenced, if a mechanical mishap or puncture occurs to a rider who has not started, that rider must approach the Referee. The Referee may start that rider at the rear of the field. The referee will advise the timing stewards of the rider's number. The rider's time will be calculated from the revised starting position.

(i) During the cource of the race, a rider must ride alone and unassisted, and shall not take shelter from another rider or vehicle. When overtaking another rider, the rider must pass as widely as safety will permit, and the overtaking/overtaken rider must not receive any drafting benefit from the other rider. When the overtaken rider has been passed, he/she shall drop back at least twenty (20) metres.

(j) The age standard shall be based on the Australian Time Trial Association's standards (ATTA) as periodically revised.

10. Penalties

(a) Any rider breaching the above general racing rules shall be liable for a fine, disqualification, suspension or a combination of the three at the discretion of the Referee.
(b) Any competitor fined by any Club or State/Territory body shall not be permitted to compete in any race under any body affiliated to the A.V.C.C. until such time as the penalty or suspension has been finalized.

(c) Penalties shall be set by the relevant State/Territory body. In AVCC championships the penalties of the promoting State/Territory body shall apply.

(d) Appeals against a Referee’s decision shall be made in writing within thirty minutes of the decision being announced to the competitor. The process for appeals shall be determined under the rules of the State/Territory body involved. A deposit of $50 shall be paid amd may be forfeited if the appeal is considered frivolous. The appeal board shall consist of three persons including and appointed by, the most senior VVCC councillor present, providing that none are involved in any way with the dispute. At the club level the appeal board shall consist of the Club Committee members.

*Special Note: Under an agreement with Cyclesport Victoria, a rider suspended from competition by either Cyclesport Victoria or the VVCC shall automatically be suspended for the same period from competition with both bodies.

11. Prizes & Positions

Competitors who believe they have qualified for a prize shall claim their placing with the claims steward immediately after the finish. Prize winners shall attend prize giving ceremonies unless they have been granted dispensation by the race organizer.

12. Championships

Age groupings for road championships shall be as follows:
- Male riders; 35-39; 40-44 and similar five year age groupings thereafter.
- Female riders; 30-34; 35-39 and similar five year age groupings thereafter.
Age Groupings for track championships shall be as follows;
- Male riders; 35-39; 40-44 and similar five year age groupings thereafter.
- Female riders; 30-34; 35-39 and similar five year age groupings thereafter.
Groupings shall consist of six riders, if there is less than six riders, groups may be combined with the next lowest age group (except or the youngest group). Riders in these groups shall compete for prize money allocated in the lower group with medals allocated in their five year age groups.

TIME TRIAL RULES as per AVCC Rules.

13. Insurance Claims:

The claimant must request his/her Club Secretary to obtain the relevant claim forms from the VVCC secretary ASAP.
After completing the forms the claimant returns them to their Club Secretary who forwards them to the VVCC Secretary, who sends them to the Insurer. The forms must be with the Insurer within 30 days of the accident.

14. Medical Certificates:

A medical certificate is required when a member returns to competition after serious illness or injury.

15. VVCC "Open" races Heat Policy: (Club heat policy is HERE ...)

If the ambient temperature within one hour of the scheduled start time of the VVCC Open event reaches 35 degrees Celsius or greater, then the Race Referee, at his discretion, will cancel the event.

16. Club / Inter Club / Open Events:

An Open Race shall be defined as one where there is an open invitation, and when nominations are called for in advance. Sanctions for such open races shall require the approval of the controlling AVCC State body.

17. Cancellation of Races

In the event of a race being cancelled, for any reason, Aggregate points will not be awarded. Entry money will be refunded, with the exception of $5.00 per entry, which the host club/organisation may withhold to cover incurred costs.