Mission statement

Founding principles

History

Constitution

WHF structure

Continental federations

Executive committee

Annual congress

Rules & regulations

Membership

Rules & regulations

Rules & regulations are also available in the Adobe Acrobat PDF document format. Acrobat files can be read on your computer screen or printed using an Adobe Acrobat "Reader" available free from Adobe.

Download the rules & regulations as pdf file

1

WHF WORLD CUP SERIES

1.1

The WHF World Cup is a series of 6 events in 6 different countries in 2006 and are all sanctioned by the World Handcycling Federation (WHF).

1.2

Applications for a sanctioned race must be made direct to the WHF Executive Committee by a Continental or National Federation on behalf of a race organiser.

1.3

An event can be a single race, a combination or races over one or two days or a Tour event over multiple days.

1.4

As per the WHF Constitution, races are open events to able-bodied and disabled athletes from all nations.

1.5

All participating athletes are subject to the regulations of the WHF.

2

INDIVIDUAL RANKING

2.1

The WHF World Cup series consists of 6 events in 2006. An event may be a single race or a Tour event encompassing a number of days racing. For each race day, WHF Ranking points will be allocated. Only the best 5 results per year will be counted. The rider that accrues the most points is rewarded with the title ‘WHF Number 1 Ranked Rider in the World.’

2.2

The Ranking system allocates points from places 1 to 50 in accordance with the following table:
 

2.3

The present points leader gets the WHF Yellow Jersey at the Victory Ceremony. During the race, the leader is obliged to wear the Yellow Jersey.

2.4

Riders wearing the Yellow Jersey are allowed to put their sponsors logos on the jersey

2.5

Any athlete who changes from one division to another during the race season for whatever reason, cannot carry their points across. This also applies to athletes who have yet to attain their final decision on classification.

3

TEAM RANKING

3.1

A team has up to a maximum number of 10 riders and at least 4 riders shall start in a race to attain points.

3.2

The annual participation fee for a commercial team is 200 Euros per team.

3.3

A team can be composed of athletes from different divisions.

3.4

Changing of team members is not permitted throughout the year. But non-committed athletes may join a team until the quota is complete.

3.5

Points will be counted from the best 4 handcyclists of a team who finish (max 800 points). In order to attribute points, all classes will be considered.

3.6

In the case of a tie between two teams on points, the team with the faster accrued time will win.

3.7

A team will be identified by identical race-suits.

3.8

As per point 2.1, the best 5 results will count for the team.

4

CLASSIFICATION

4.1

Classification for new riders will be the responsibility of the WHF Classifiers who will be present at each WHF World Cup event. Classifications have to be requested in advance through the National Federation representatives who will inform the WHF Office

4.2

The first WHF Classification is free, but subsequent classifications will be charged at a levy of 100 Euros.

4.3

If a new athlete fails their first classification, they will be classified into Division C/FC

4.4

An athlete may compete in higher classes at any time if desired.

4.5

Athletes have the right of appeal against their classification. If this occurs, a majority vote by the WHF Executive Committee will concur the decision, if a protest is accepted. If further checks are required, the Executive Committee will demand a secondary check by an IPC and WHF World Cup affiliated Classifier.

4.6

The WHF employs the following classification system:

4.7

Athletes in classes such as A2 and B who wish to ride in a kneeseat position have to ride in the next class:
A2 – B
B – C2

4.8

Every division and class is identified by the colour of the riders helmet:
 

4.9

Able-bodied athletes have the same rights as disabled athletes.

5

TIME KEEPING

5.1

Electronic timing systems using chip technology must be employed for a sanctioned WHF World Cup event.

5.2

The ranking (as per point 2 and 3) is defined on the electronic time-keeping measurement provided by the Race Organiser.

6

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

6.1

The WHF Rules and Regulations that apply to the technical specifications of the handcycle and associated equipment correspond closely to those laid down by IPC/UCI Regulations (15.006; 18.001-18.009) except points 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 outlined below. Only three wheeled handcycles solely propelled by the arms/trunk are permitted for ranking.
Two wheeled handcycles solely propelled by the arms/trunk are allowed but are only for demonstration purposes. Riders using these bikes do not qualify for ranking points.

6.2

There is no defined backrest angle (IPC states minimum angle of 45o ). However, every athlete should have the capacity to optimise their position for their functionality. All round vision and subsequent safe riding as a result of riding position is the riders responsibility. The rider will be held responsible for damages or injuries caused against himself or a third party as a result of negligence in respect to riding safety.

6.3

All handcycles with two rear wheels must be fitted with a safety bar except for time trials. The following dimensions should be adhered to:
 

The safety bar must be around tube (at least 18mm diameter) made of adequate solid material. Both ends of the tube must be plugged.

The distance between ground and bar axis must be 280mm (+/- 10mm)

The safety bar must not exceed the width of each rear wheel tyre.

The safety bar must be fitted 10mm (+/- 2mm) behind the rear tyre.

The structure and assembly of the safety bar must guarantee that normal road race vibrations don’t impact on the safe functioning of the bar.

6.4

The minimum distance between the two rear wheels is between 50cm and 85cm for road races. In time trials the minimum width of 40cm is permitted. In the case of a body-lean steering handcycle, the minimum width can be down to a minimum of 40cm for both road races and time trials. It is measured at the point of the tyre, where the tyres touch the ground.

7

SAFETY ASPECTS

7.1

The wearing of a International UCI standard rigid safety helmet is compulsory in all Road Races sanctioned by the WHF.

7.2

Aerodynamic time-trial helmets are only permitted in Time Trials.

7.3

Race approval of a handcycle may be denied, if the handcycle could potentially endanger the rider or other competitors.

7.4

If a handcycle is damaged during the race and potentially does not fulfil the WHF Rules and Regulations:
a. The rider is obliged to stop and repair their equipment or withdraw from the race.
b. The Race Organiser is entitled to stop the rider to repair the handcycle or can withdraw the rider from the race.

8

RACE

8.1

The race starting order depends on the WHF Ranking list until the 15th position.

8.2

The start sequence will follow the order of:
C (mixed)
B
A (mixed)
F (mixed)
Between each division start that has to be a break of at least 1 minute. In certain races, it is possible to have separate races for each division.

8.3

It is forbidden to draft behind athletes from another division or behind athletes from another category (wheelchair racers, inline skaters etc).

8.4

On a circuit race riders are forbidden to draft another rider who is overtaking and has begun to lap others in the race.

9

DISCIPLINE, PROCEDURES AND PENALTIES

9.1

Every WHF member is obliged to follow the WHF Rules & Regulations and agrees to the decisions and judgements of the WHF.

9.2

Statements made by referees in reports and minutes shall be deemed final unless proven otherwise.

9.3

Athletes who behave in an incorrect and dishonest way towards other athletes or fails to meet the obligations of WHF Rules & Regulations may be penalised by:
a. Referee Panel from the WHF Representatives present
b. WHF Executive Committee in the last instance. Any member of the WHF Executive Committee who might be involved in a disciplinary issue, cannot influence the decision by their vote.

9.4

The main official in a WHF World Cup series race is the Chief Referee. He and at least two Judges form the Referee Panel.

9.5

A written protest has to be submitted to the Referee Panel within 30 minutes after the race concludes. The protest fee is 100 Euros. When the protest is honoured the fee will be refunded.

9.6

The offending party has the chance to defend his point of view within 30 minutes after the protest has been submitted. If the athlete doesn’t adequately justify their actions they can be judged in absence too. Teamleaders and/or athletes have to be present at the Referee Panel desk.

9.7

The offending party has a right to appeal against a decision by the Referee Panel. The protest fee is 100 Euros and the fee will be refunded if the protest is honoured.

9.8

The scale of penalties increase from lusion.

9.9

Rules concerning specific race incidents and the scale of penalties are listed below (some following UCI rules):

10

VICTORY CEREMONY AND PRIZE MONEY

10.1

There will be no victory ceremony for the winner of a divisional race
unless at least 3 athletes participated in the race. There will be no victory ceremony for the second place unless at least 4 athletes participated in the race.

10.2

The prize money for the winner will not be distributed unless at least 3 athletes participated in the race. The prize money for the best 2 athletes will not be distributed unless at least 4 athletes participated in the race. The prize money for the best 3 athletes will not be distributed unless at least 5 athletes participated in the race.

10.3

At the end of the WHF World Cup series, the WHF Executive Committee will distribute prize money for the best places in the overall WHF Ranking.

10.4

According to Rule 9.9o non-participation in the victory ceremony will forfeit any prize money for the benefit of WHF.

WHF Executive Committee

January 2006