DFP – Header Element

Women's Tour regulations

Full regulations for the Women’s Tour 2022, which proudly forms a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

Full regulations for the Women’s Tour 2022, which proudly forms a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

Article 1 – Organisation

The Women’s Tour is organised by SweetSpot Group Ltd under the regulations of the International Cycling Union. The race is to be held from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 June 2022. SweetSpot Group Unit 1 Horizon Business Village Brooklands Road Weybridge Surrey, KT13 0TJ. T +44 (0)1932 831 485

Article 2 – Type of Event

The event is entered on the UCI Women’s WorldTour Calendar and is registered as a WorldTour event. In conformity with the UCI rules 2.10.033, points are awarded as follows for the UCI Women’s WorldTour ranking:

  • 400, 320, 260, 220, 180, 140, 120, 100, 80, 68, 56, 48, 40, 32 and 28 points to the first 15 finishers in the final General Classification by time
  • 24 points to finishers 16 to 20 in the final General Classification by time
  • 16 points to finishers 21 to 30 in the final General Classification by time
  • 8 points to finishers 31 to 40 in the final General Classification by time
  • 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 18, 15,10, 8 and 6 points to the first 10 finishers on each stage
  • 8 points to the daily leader of the General Classification by time
  • 6, 4 and 2 points to the first three riders under 23 in the General Classification by time towards the secondary classification (Best Young Rider).

Article 3 – Participation

As per article 2.1.005 of the UCI regulations the event is open to:

  • UCI Women’s World teams
  • UCI women’s continental teams
  • National team of the organising country In accordance with article 2.13.005 of the UCI regulations, the number of participants per team is set at 6 riders.

Article 4 – Race Headquarters

At the start of the event, the Race Headquarters shall be open starting Sunday 5 June from 15:00 to 16:00 hours and located at the following address:

Radisson Blu Hotel

London Stansted Airport

Waltham Close Stansted, CM24 1PP

T +44 (0)1279 681 667

Team representatives are requested to confirm their starters and collect their race numbers at Race HQ from 15:00 to 15:45 on Sunday 5 June 2022.

The team managers’ meeting, organised in accordance with Article 1.2.087 of the UCI regulations, in the presence of the members of the commissaires’ panel, is scheduled for 16:00 on Sunday 5 June 2022 at the following address:

Radisson Blu Hotel

London Stansted Airport

Waltham Close Stansted, CM24 1PP

T +44 (0)1279 681 667

Article 5 – Radio Tour

The frequencies for Radio Tour will be:

Radio Tour 1 = 469.3500Mhz / PL 192.8 RX

Radio Tour 2 = 467.3500Mhz / PL 192.8 RX

Radio Tour 3 = 452.3000Mhz / PL 192.8 RX

Article 6 – Neutral Technical Support

Vittoria Servizio Corse will provide the technical Support by means of three neutral service cars.

Article 7 – Race Incidents

Occurring in the last three kilometres In accordance with UCI regulation 2.6.027, the case of a duly noted incident, fall, puncture or mechanical incident in the last 3 kilometres of a road race stage, 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.

Her or their placing shall be determined by the order in which she or they actually cross the finishing line. If, as a result of the duly noted incident in the last three kilometres, a rider cannot cross the finishing line, she shall be placed last in the stage and credited with the time of the rider or riders in whose company she was riding at the time of the accident.

This article does not apply to stage five (Pembrey Country Park to the Black Mountain) as a summit finish.

Article 8 – Finishing Time Limits

A finishing time limit of 15% will apply to all stages.

The Commissaires’ Panel, in agreement with the organiser, may in exceptional circumstances only increase the time limit in accordance with UCI Article 2.6.032.

Article 9 – Classifications and Time Bonuses

The following classifications will be issued:

General Individual Classification by Time

The General Individual Classification on time is decided by adding together the time taken by the riders on each stage, less any time bonuses and plus any time penalties. The rider leading this competition after Stage One will wear the Overall Leader’s Jersey (yellow and white). Where two or more riders make the same time in the general individual time placings, the placings obtained in each stage shall be added and, as a last resort, the place obtained in the last stage ridden shall be taken into consideration to decide the order, in accordance with UCI Article 2.6.015.

Time Bonuses

In accordance with UCI regulation 2.6.019 time bonuses, applicable only to Individual General Classification by Time will be awarded on each stage as follows: • All stage finishes: 10, 6 and 4 seconds • Intermediate sprints (two per stage on all stages) 3, 2 and 1 second(s) to the first three riders in each sprint The Breast Cancer Now Points Classification: The Breast Cancer Now Points Classification by points is decided by adding together the points obtained at each stage finish according to article 2.6.017 of the UCI regulations. Points for the sprints in each stage will be awarded as follows: • 15, 12, 9, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point(s) to the first 10 riders at the stage finish The leader of the Breast Cancer Now Points Competition shall wear the Breast Cancer Now Points Jersey (pink and white). In the event of a tie in the general individual points classification, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the riders are separated: 1. The number of stage wins 2. The general individual classification by time

The ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains Competition

The ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains classification is decided by adding the points awarded on each of the classified climbs. The rider leading the completion will wear the ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains jersey (green jersey).

Points will be awarded as follows:

• 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for each Category One climb

• 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for each Category Two Climb

• 4, 3, 2 and 1 point for each Category Three Climb

In the event of a tie (UCI regulations 2.6.017) in the ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains competition, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the riders are separated:

1. Number of first places on the highest category climbs

2. Number of first places in the next category climbs, and so on

3. General Individual Classification by time

The Pillar sprints classification

The Pillar Sprints Classification by points is decided by adding together the points obtained at intermediate Pillar Sprints during each stage according to article 2.6.017 of the UCI regulations.

Points for the sprints in each stage will be awarded as follows:

• 3, 2 and 1 point(s) for the first 3 riders in each intermediate Pillar sprint

The leader of the Pillar Sprints Competition shall wear the Pillar Sprints Jersey (red and white).

1. The number of first places in the daily team classification

2. The number of second places in the daily team classification If there is still a tie, the teams shall be separated by the placing of their best rider in the general individual classification.

Any team reduced to fewer than three riders shall be eliminated from the general team classification in accordance with UCI article 2.6.016.

The Adyen Combativity Award

A daily Adyen Combativity Award will be presented to the rider considered by the race jury and Race Director to have displayed the most courageous and attacking display of riding during the stage.

An overall Adyen Combativity Award will be presented following the final stage to the rider considered by the race jury and Race Director to have displayed the most courageous and attacking display of riding across the six stages.

Article 10 – Prizes

The following prizes are awarded – see page 67 of the race manual. A grand total of 37,995 Euros will be awarded in prize money at the event.

Article 11 – Anti-Doping

The UCI anti-doping regulations are entirely applicable to the event. Moreover, and in conformity with the law of Great Britain, the British anti-doping legislation is applicable in addition to the UCI anti-doping regulations. The anti-doping tests will take place at the anti-doping unit that will be located adjacent to the finish of each stage. The organiser reserves the right to refuse riders or teams that might be connected with doping abuse and whose participation therefore would be incompatible with the reputation of the race.

Article 12 – Awards Ceremony

In accordance with Article 1.2.112 of the UCI regulations, the following riders must attend the official awards ceremony, in the following order of presentation:

  1. The winner of the stage
  2. The winner of the day’s Adyen Combativity Award
  3. The leaders of the following classifications:
  4. The Pillar Sprints Competition
  5. The ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains Competition
  6. The Breast Cancer Now Points Competition
  7. The General Classification

The riders will present themselves at the podium in a time limit of a maximum of 10-minutes after crossing the finish line. The organisers will ensure that team managers and/or riders receive due notification of this request.

On selected stages the organisation may include special primes at pre-selected locations. The winners of these primes will be asked to present themselves to the presentation ceremony at the finish. Notification of these primes will be given at the Team Managers’ meeting. The organisation will ensure that team managers and/or riders receive due notification of this request.

In the event of a tie in the general individual points classification, the following criteria shall be applied in order until the riders are separated:

  1. The number of wins in intermediate Pillar sprints
  2. The general individual classification by time

The British Cycling Best British Rider

Competition Only riders holding a British Cycling issued racing licence may take part in the British Cycling Best British Rider competition. The leader of the British Cycling Best British Rider completion is the first British rider on the general individual time classification. There is no jersey for this classification. Where two or more riders make the same time in the general individual time, placings obtained in each stage shall be added and, as a last resort, the place obtained in the last stage ridden shall be taken into consideration to decide the order, in accordance with UCI article 2.6.015.

Team Classification

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 the event of a tie, the teams shall be separated by the sum of the places acquired by their three best-placed riders on the stage. If the teams are still tied, they shall be separated by the placing of their best rider on the stage classification.

The Team General Classification 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 following criteria shall be applied in order until the teams are separated:

The stage winner and classification leaders must attend a press conference following the presentation ceremony if requested to do so. Fifteen minutes before the start of each stage, the leaders in all classifications are required to attend a protocol ceremony arranged by the organisation on the podium adjacent to the start line for their jerseys to be presented.

Moreover, following the finish of stage six, the following riders must also present themselves at the final awards ceremony held immediately after the final stage:

  • The winner of the stage
  • The winner of the day’s Adyen Combativity award
  • The winner of the overall Adyen Combativity award
  • The leaders of the following classifications:

– The Team General Classification

– The British Cycling Best British Rider

– The Pillar Sprints Competition

– The ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains Competition

– The Breast Cancer Now Points Competition

– The General Classification

  • Riders placed in second and third positions on the General Classification
  • The leader of the UCI WWT individual rider classification (subject to participation)
  • The leader of the UCI WWT Best Young Rider classification (subject to participation)

Article 13 – Sign On

Sign on will close 10-minutes before the start of each stage. Each stage will start exactly on time.

Article 14 – Penalties

The UCI penalty scale will apply.

Article 15 – Race Service

All mechanical service must take place on the left side of the road.

Article 16 – Team Cars

Only one vehicle per team will be permitted to circulate at race level. However a second vehicle per team is allowed.

The second paragraph of UCI article 2.2.035 does NOT apply to this second vehicle but its driver must nevertheless be licensed as a member of the team staff. Feeding must take place from the right-hand side of team vehicles.

Article 17 – Alterations

If it is necessary to alter any arrangements for the race, the Commissaire President, and the Race Director will take these decisions.

Article 18 – Feeding

All team parking at static feeding must take place on the left side of the road in accordance with UCI article 2.3.026.

Article 19 – Jerseys

The ranking of the race classification jerseys are as follows:

  1. The General Classification Leader
  2. The Breast Cancer Now points classification
  3. The ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains classification
  4. The Pillar sprints classification

Classification jerseys presented must be worn for the following stage. Where a rider holds more than one jersey at the same time, the jersey to be worn shall be that with the highest ranking as indicated above and the lesser jersey shall be worn by the second placed rider in the classification, and so on.

Article 20 – Discipline

Any rider failing to attend the daily start or finish protocol ceremonies (except with good reason and recognised by the Commissaires) will incur a penalty.

The management reserves the right to dismiss persons from the race for the following reasons:

  • Improper behaviour
  • Acts of violence
  • Serious breaches of the regulations
  • Fraud at customs or other criminal behaviour

All personnel are reminded that it is unlawful and an offence against public decency in the United Kingdom to urinate in public places such as the start area, in towns, villages or near occupied parking areas. Firm action will be taken against personnel offending against this regulation.

Article 21 – Race Regulations

Riders, team managers and all other participants must be familiar with and abide by these regulations and those of the UCI and British Cycling. By taking part in the Women’s Tour all personnel are considered to accept the regulations in full and to bear sole responsibility for any injury, accident or loss that may occur.

Article 22 – Stages expected to finish in bunch sprints

The following stages have been identified as expected to finish in bunch sprint:

  • Stage 1, Colchester to Bury St Edmunds
  • Stage 2, Harlow to Harlow
  • Stage 3, Tewkesbury to Gloucester
  • Stage 6, Chipping Norton to Oxford

During these stages, the protocol of calculation of time gaps for stages “expected to finish in bunch sprints” published on the UCI website in the Regulations section will be applied.

Article 23 – Brother UK Green Zones

Brother UK Green Zones will be located where practicable after Sprint and ŠKODA Queen of the Mountains sections on all road stages and indicated in the ETA.

Brother UK Green Zones will be marked in the ETA of the manual and identified by signage at the side of the road and will last for approximately 200m. There will also be additional Brother UK Green Zones at 20km and 5km to go on every road stage.

IMPORTANT! No person will be allowed to travel in any vehicle during the event without prior permission from the Race Direction and must wear appropriate accreditation at all times. This will be strictly enforced.

The Women's Tour
Women's Tour Newsletter

Stay up to date with all the latest tour news