The beauty of fatigue and the thrill of conquest

ART. 1 – GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE EVENT

NOVA Eroica Switzerland will take place on Saturday 15th June 2024 in Sion, capital of the Valais (Switzerland).

NOVA Eroica Switzerland is an international amateur cycling event that takes place mainly on white gravel roads. In the current rules & regulations, NOVA Eroica Switzerland will be referred to as Event or Race.

The 2 routes via Alpina and via Rodano combine special timed sections with relaxed pace transfer sections.

The race will occur on road open to traffic, participants must comply with Federal Road Traffic Laws (LCR in French) as well as follow instructions from directors, managers and personnel of the race.

This regulation is subject to change up until the day of the event in the interest of the riders and their security. If needed, participants will be informed by electronic means (e-mail, Organizer’s website and social networks) of significant changes.


ART. 2 – BICYCLES & EQUIPMENT

Nova Eroica is a cycling race for CYCLOCROSS and GRAVEL BICYCLES only. Electric bike is strictly prohibited.

Each participant must have on him/her throughout the ride and for the duration of the event:

  • a rigid helmet with chinstrap attached,
  • a mobile phone with a charged battery,
  • a bib and the road map with the emergency number,
  • lighting: white headlight front and rear red headlight,
  • a hydration (water bottle or hydration bag) system.

A change of bike is prohibited during the race.

Motorized assistance or follower vehicles on the course are formally prohibited. Infractions will be reported to the police for all offenders.

All costs arising from technical support (including spare parts) are the responsibility of each participant.


ART. 3 – SAFETY & LIABILITY

The practice of cycling in general and competition cycling especially, is a risky physical activity. Each event participant must commit, knowing that it could involve mountainous terrain with intense climbs and fast descents.

Participants must be in good health and properly trained. A license and/or the medical certificate is not required to participate in cyclosportives events in Switzerland. However, the Organizer strongly recommends participants to consult a doctor to confirm their ability of being able to perform this type of effort.

The Organizer will implement several devices to secure the course: signs, motorcycles, flags indicating dangerous areas, signs indicating passages requiring special attention. The dangerous points of the course are referenced on the website of the event (www.novaeroicaswitzerland.com).

Throughout the course, participants must comply with the safety rules and instructions of the personnel of the race (bikers, volunteers, etc.). The security arrangements for the event ends at the crossing of the finish line.

Each participant, author or witness of an accident, or seeing a need of medical assistance has the obligation to aid others and call for help by calling the emergency number on their road book.

The participant is solely responsible for any incident, accident or failure to follow the regulations of the event. All fees that would result from a medical care (ambulance, doctor, hospital, etc.) are the responsibility of the participant concerned. The responsibility of the Organizer, their affiliates, their employees, and other auxiliaries for direct or indirect damage suffered by a participant, as part or in relation to their participation in the race, is solely excluded, in case of accident, theft or damage. The entry is confirmation that the participant is covered by their insurance and waiver any legal action against the Organizer.

By registering for the event, each participant confirms having read all the information, particularly those relating to security, and undertakes to comply.


ART. 4 – ROUTES and STARTING TIMES

NOVA Eroica Switzerland offers two different routes with timed scetion:

  • Via Alpina: 115km/ 2,370mD+: competitive;
  • Via Rodano: 74 km/ 900mD+: competitive;

Routes will be signposted but each rider is expected to use the "Eroica map". The maps and GPS routes may be consulted and downloaded from the Routes page of the website.

The Organization will guarantee the presence of a vehicle at the start and finish that will follow the race.

Starting times are as follows:

  • Via Alpina: 07:30 am
  • Via Rodano: 08:00 am

ART. 5 – PARTICIPATION

NOVA Eroica is open to anybody of either sex who is over 18 years of age for the Via Alpina and over 16 years of age for the Via Rodano.

Both teams and individuals may participate but the NOVA Eroica philosophy privileges team spirit.

Each participant must benefit from his own insurance (accident insurance and civil liability), covering personal injury and property damage while in Swiss territory. The Organisation reserves the incontestable right to accept or refuse registration or to exclude an entrant from the event, should his/her participation damage the image of the event.

Professional, Elite (men and women) and U23 cyclists may participate upon invitation by the organizers but they will not be included in the ranking.


ART. 6 – REGISTRATION METHODS AND FEES

It is possible to register directly on the MyEroica platform: https://www.myeroica.cc

Each participant must register using his/her own email address and choosing a password. The email address will become your user ID, therefore the same email address cannot be used by two or more people.

Only individual registrations are possible. Sport’s groups wishing to register a team using a single MyEroica account must contact the Organisers.

Registration will open at 12:00pm on 19th of January 2024 (CET, Sion) with the following fees and closing dates for single registrations (i.e. registration for the NOVA Eroica Event only):

Via Alpina :

  • Ciclo Club Eroica : CHF 50.-
  • Early Birds (until 28 Februarl) : CHF 80.-
  • Regulars (until 31 May) : CHF 90.-
  • Last Chance (from 1st June) : CHF 100.-

Via Rodano :


  • Ciclo Club Eroica : CHF 50.-
  • Early Birds (until 28 Februarl) : CHF 75.-
  • Regulars (until 31 May) : CHF 85.-
  • Last Chance (from 1st June) : CHF 95.-


The registration fee, irrespective of the established fee, includes:

  • WELCOME PACK with event gifts and souvenirs;
  • RACE NUMBER to be attached to your bicycle;
  • FOOD STOPS in varying numbers according to the length of the route chosen;
  • MEDAL at the finish line;

ART. 7 – COLLECTION OF RACE PACK AND NUMBER

WELCOME PACKS and RACE NUMBERS will be distributed at the established points at the following times :

  • Friday 14th June 2024 from 06:00 pm
  • Saturday 15th June 2024, from 06:30 am until 15 minutes before race departure.

In order to pick up your WELCOME PACK and RACE NUMBER, it is mandatory to present :

  • A printout of your “MY EROICA” page, showing your completed registration;
  • A valid form of I.D.

Collection of the “WELCOME PACK and RACE NUMBER” may be delegated to a friend or a person acting on your behalf on presentation of the above documentation, as well as the proxy document and a valid form of I.D. of the delegated party.


ART. 8 – SUBSTITUTIONS, CANCELLATIONS OR CHANGING ROUTE

Each participant can choose the itinerary that suits him or her best, and this choice must be indicated at the time of registration.

The MAXI FLEX option guarantees flexibility in the choice of itinerary at the time of registration. Thanks to this option, participants can, without charge or justification, from the date of registration until the morning of the race:

  • Change their route until 15 June 2024
  • Transfer their race number to a third party until 15 June 2024
  • Postpone registration to the following year until 1 June 2024

If a registrant is unable to take part in the event, he or she has until 15 June to announce the situation. With the MAXI FLEX OPTION, you will have the option of deferring your entry until the following year. Without the MAXI FLEX option, the registration fee will not be refunded and the welcome pack will not be sent. Any application made after 15 June will not be processed.

All registrations considered valid for the following year are strictly personal and may not be transferred to a third party. If the person is unable to participate a second time, the registration fee will be forfeited.


ART. 9 – TIMING & RANKING and PRIZES

The timing is done with an electronic detection system. All registrants will have a timing chip, glued on to the back of their bib.

This chip, detected by the different antennas arranged throughout the course of the event, will allow control of regularity of race and the results and rankings of the event.

To allow normal operation, the chip must be neither folded nor damaged. In addition, the bib must be attached to the front of the bike to ensure legibility. The electronic detection system is selected according to strict criteria of reliability. Despite tests by the manufacturers, there is a very small percentage of possible detection errors. The lack of data because of such a missed detection will not allow the Organizer to include the official time of the subject concerned in the ranking. The Organizer cannot be held responsible for this.

At the start and finish of each special TIME trial, the times of each athlete will be recorded by CHIP. Those who miss even a single special TIME trial will not be included in the final ranking. Regarding technological fraud, the race jury, with the technical support of the organisers, is authorized to carry out systematic or spot checks.

Non-conformity or refusal to submit oneself to the technical checks requested, will lead to immediate disqualification and offenders will be reported to the competent authorities.

At the end of the event, several classifications are established:

  • Via Alpina Men Scratch 18-29years / 30-39years / 40-49year / 50-59years / 60-66years / 67years and +
  • Via Alpina Women Scratch 18-34years / 35-49years / 50years and +
  • Via Rodano Men Scratch 18-29years / 30-39years / 40-49years / 50-59years / 60-66years / 67years and +
  • Via Rodano Women Scratch 18-34years / 35-49years / 50 years and +
  • Via Rodano Disabled Rider Scratch

The first three of each scratch to cross the finish line are rewarded at the awards ceremony on arrival.

The prize-giving ceremony will take place at the end of the Race, as per the programme of the event, which will be available on the website www.novaeroicaswitzerland.com. The ranking will also be published on www.novaeroicaswitzerland.com.

The official prize-giving ceremony will take place at the end of the race. Uncollected prizes will not be presented to third parties nor will they be sent to the home of the winners.

The Organisation reserves the right to modify the categories according to any new indications or needs. All participants who finish NOVA Eroica will receive a celebratory medal of the event at the finish line


ART. 10 – TEAM COMPOSITION

A team can be defined as such if it is composed of at least 5 cyclists. They must register the name of the team during the individual registration procedure. Teams may be composed of men only, women only or be mixed. Teams where all members complete their respective course within the race time limit will be ranked. The 3 teams with the highest number of members will

be rewarded. In the case of the same number of cyclists finishing, the sum of the best times will be considered.


ART. 11 – CUT-OFF TIME & WITHDRAWALS

Competitors must follow the compulsory hours of neutralization, for security reasons. These barriers correspond to the hours from which it will be no longer be possible to continue the race from the relevant control post. In not passing the checkpoints before the times defined below, the competitor will be disqualified and will not appear in the ranking of the event.

  • LEUKERBAD (km 51) : 12:00 pm
  • SALQUENEN (km 74) : 02:00 pm
  • VENTHÔNE (km 90) : 03:30 pm
  • SION (km 115) : 05:00 pm

If a participant wishes to give up, he/she must announce to any checkpoints set up by the Organizer (Leukerbad, Salquenen or Venthône). They must report to the postmaster, who removes the bib number and tells them the means of repatriation. Anyone abandoning outside checkpoints must immediately report their abandonment to the race management through the emergency number shown on the road book. Any failure may result in costs which shall be paid for by the competitor.

Any participant victim to a fall, mechanical breakage or physical failure and who could not reach the repatriation points by themselves is required to immediately report his/her abandonment to the race management using the emergency number indicated on the road book. The final vehicle (broom wagon) will only support cases authorized by the race management. The participant supported by the broom wagon will be disqualified from the race.

The medical service, which includes doctors and first-aiders, may decide to disqualify a participant for medical reasons.


ART. 12 – COMPLAINT AND CLAIMS

Any claims may be done in writing to the race office, no later than 15 minutes after the classification is made. The complaint and/or claim must be accompanied by a justification.

This will be accompanied by a deposit of CHF 100-. This amount will be refunded if the claim is accepted. Claims will be judged by the jury of the race (Race Director, timing manager). Decisions related to claims are final.


ART. 13 – MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Medical assistance includes the presence of ambulances with doctors and paramedics.


ART. 14 – MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE

Any type of assistance by private vehicles following the race is strictly forbidden. The Organisation will provide mechanical assistance during the race but cannot guarantee complete cover for all athletes; it is therefore recommended that you carry a repair kit for punctures and breakdowns.


ART. 15 – ETHICS

The Organizer puts a point of honor on the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect that are the keystone of a fair and sustainable sport. Participants must treat with respect the other competitors, the members of the Organization, volunteers and spectators. The Organizer reserves the right to exclude participants who commit acts of violent behavior or discriminating verbal abuse against anyone.

Moreover, with the dispatch of the online registration form, participants self-certify the non-existence of present or past sporting, civil and/or penal sentences, even if already served, related to doping issues and declare that they have never taken – and will never take – substances included in the antidoping list of the World Antidoping Agency (WADA) – http://list.wada-ama.org/prohibited-all-times/prohibited-substances/. False certifications are punishable by law.

Should a participant be found positive in an antidoping check during NOVA Eroica Switzerland, or if positivity is proven during other events within six (6) months of the event, the participant will owe the sum of CHF50,000.00 (fifty thousand CHF/00) to the NOVA Eroica Switzerland Organisation, in damages to the image of the event. Any amounts received by the Organisation, arising from such damages, will be donated entirely to youth cycling activities.


ART. 16 – RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

In order to respect the environment and natural areas crossed, it is strictly forbidden to abandon waste (paper, plastic packaging, tubes containing energy gels...) on the course. "Collection zones" and bins will be installed and posted on each refueling station on the course. They must be used by participants.

Participants must keep waste and packaging while waiting for the places indicated by the Organizer to get rid of it. The Organizer reserves the right to disqualify any participants deliberately throwing their waste outside of the designated areas.


ART 17 – LEGAL PROVISIONS

Participation in the race is done under the full responsibility of the riders, with waiver of any recourse against the Organizer regardless of the damage suffered or caused.

In case of accident, liability of the Organizer and any individuals or entities participating in the Organization, including but without being exhaustive, the bodies and employees of the Organizer, the agents, contractors, auxiliaries, including volunteers, is excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Each competitor expressly authorizes the Organizer as well as their assigns, such as media, and partners to use still or audiovisual images of the race including preparation phases and those following the race on which he/she might appear, taken on the occasion of his/her participation in the NOVA Eroica Switerland, on all media including advertising and/or promotional material, worldwide and for the longest duration provided for by the law, regulations, treaties in force, including any extensions that could be made at this time.

Participation in the race not an entitlement to use the race for promotional or commercial purposes. All communication about the event or use of images from the event is proprietary and is subject to written authorization of the Organizer who will set the conditions.

The legal venue is Sierre, Valais. In case of difference between the texts of the various versions of the regulations, the French version of the regulations is authentic.


ART. 18 - CANCELLATION OR POSTPONEMENT OF THE EVENT

If, for reasons of force majeure, the event does not take place, the registered person can request:

  • a refund of 80% of the amount paid
  • transfer their registration to next year free of charge

If the number of registrants is limited because of sanitary reason ( COVID-19), the principle of “first registrants, guaranteed bibs” will be used for the allocation of bibs.

Th Organisation reserves the right to move the place and/or date of the event within the same calendar year. In this case, the registration fee will be considered valid for the event on the new date, with no additional costs.


ART. 19 – ORGANISATION, PROCESSING AND REGISTRATION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

The organiser of NOVA Eroica Switzerland, above referred to as “Organisation”, is:

Association Nova Eroica Switzerland

Rue Pré-Fleuri 6

1950 Sion

The “L’Eroica” brand and all its variations, including “NOVA Eroica”, is owned by:

L’EROICA S.R.L.

Via Casabianca 25

53013 Gaiole in Chianti, Siena, Italy

P.IVA 01357870524

Both of the above-mentioned companies are authorised by all participants to process and register their personal information. The personal information of all participants will be processed and registered according to the terms of Italian privacy law no. 196 dated 30/06/2003 and European Union Regulation 2017/679 (GDPR/18).

Sion, the 6th of June 2024.

Association Nova Eroica Switzerland